FISCAL YEAR 2013 ANNUAL REPORT & FY 2014 WORK PLAN (approved)–THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR HISTORY

(Prepared by Lee White, Executive Director, December 27, 2013)

INTRODUCTION

In 2013, efforts to address the federal deficit once again dominated the congressional agenda. With Republicans controlling the House of Representatives and Democratic control of the Senate and White House, the federal government spent the year gridlocked over funding and tax issues.

Federal appropriations and reauthorization issues have traditionally been a primary focus of the NCH’s efforts on Capitol Hill. The Coalition continued to take the lead in advocating for funding for federal programs that affect historians, archivists, educators and other stakeholders. In an increasingly hostile budget environment, NCH has been able to fend off draconian cuts to most programs of interest to our members.

NCH and its constituent organizations effectively mobilized their members to contact Congress concerning funding for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and Title VI/Fulbright-Hays International Education and Foreign Language, and other federal programs. Senior staffs at the affected federal agencies have credited these efforts with preventing deeper cuts or elimination of programs.

From an organizational standpoint, the Coalition achieved two of its major objectives for the year: the creation of a Congressional History Caucus and the development of a membership and marketing plan.

With the creation of the Congressional History Caucus NCH has begun to transform itself into a resource for policymakers and our stakeholders, not just another group seeking its small piece of the shrinking federal pie.

In the coming year, we will continue to build on the initial transitional steps taken in 2013 to move the Coalition in this new direction. NCH must continue to become a more nimble organization able to respond to situations not just at the federal level but in the states as well. Unfortunately, in the past NCH has not been good at promoting itself and taking credit for its accomplishments. In 2014, the Coalition must do a better job of educating our constituent organizations (and potential members) about its important contributions in the past, and how it will continue to play a vital role in federal policymaking in the future. The new membership and marketing plan was developed to set the path forward.

This report summarizes NCH’s activities and highlights major accomplishments in 2013. Also incorporated into the report is a proposed Work Plan which sets the objectives and priorities for the organization for the coming year.

1. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

A. Federal Appropriations

Despite the caveats noted in the introduction, NCH has not, and cannot, abrogate its responsibility to seek federal funding for programs important to our constituents. However, given NCH’s limited resources, the Executive Director should allocate his time accordingly based on the prospects of achieving a successful outcome in each situation.

Not surprisingly, Congress was unable to pass any appropriations bills prior to the start of the fiscal year on October 1. With Congress and the federal government shut down for 16 days in October, and Congress in recess the month of August, there was little time for legislative action on issues affecting our interests. Early in 2013, when Congress failed to act on a budget the mandatory sequester resulted in a 5.0 percent across-the-board reduction in non-exempt non-defense discretionary funding.

In December 2013, Congress passed, and President Obama signed into law, a two-year budget agreement that sets broad parameters on federal spending and avoids further sequestration cuts. This clears the way for the House and Senate to finally pass a FY 14 budget when they return in January 2014.

Reducing the federal deficit will continue to dictate the congressional appropriations process for the foreseeable future. In years past, NCH’s main focus was advocating for increased funding and expansion of federal programs. Now our major concern is holding our own and preventing severe cuts or even elimination of programs. Seeking increased appropriations in this environment would squander NCH’s limited advocacy resources and hurt our credibility with policymakers.

• Policy Objective 1: During the conclusion of the FY 2014 appropriations process and development of the FY15 budget, NCH will lobby aggressively for sustained funding for those federal agencies and programs that have the greatest impact on the historical and archival communities. These include (but are not restricted to):

a) National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
b) National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)
c) Title VI/Fulbright-Hays International Education programs
d) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
e) National Park Service history and preservation programs
f) Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

In recent years, programs of interest to NCH constituent organizations have been specifically targeted for elimination by Members of Congress. For example, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has repeatedly sought the elimination of the Political Science program at the National Science Foundation or put limits on the subject matter of projects that can be funded. NCH has worked closely with our member organization the American Political Science Association to fend off these threats. In 2013 NCH fought off efforts to defund, or halve, the National Endowment for the Humanities in the FY 14 budget.

For many years, the History Coalition has successfully led the fight to prevent elimination of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and to ensure that it receives adequate funding to meet its mission. Unfortunately, this small but vital program remains a perennial target for budget cutters in Congress and at the Office of Management and Budget.

• Policy Objective 2: NCH will remain vigilant for targeted language or amendments on appropriations bills designed to reduce funding for specific programs or which detrimentally affect constituent organizations.

B. Federal Funding of K-12 History Education

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) was last authorized in 2001 during the Bush administration under the rubric of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The NCLB’s authorization expired in 2008. In 2013, efforts to pass an ESEA reform bill continued to be bogged down in the House and Senate. The Obama administration’s decision to grant states waivers from NCLB’s compliance requirements removed the sense of urgency for Congress to act on reauthorization legislation.

Nonetheless, NCH worked closely with history, educational, and civics organizations in seeking to create a dedicated funding mechanism for K-12 history education in any NCLB legislation considered by Congress.

• Policy Objective 3: NCH will advocate for restoration of federal K-12 history/civics education funding in the U.S. Department of Education’s FY 15 budget and/or in legislation reauthorizing the ESEA.

C. Presidential Records

For over a decade, the Coalition has been the lead advocate for enactment of Presidential Records Act (PRA) reform legislation. President Obama issued a Presidential Records Executive Order (EO) in 2009, replacing the overly restrictive Bush administration EO. Unfortunately, efforts to codify these changes in the PRA remain stalled in Congress.

The “Presidential and Federal Records Act Amendment of 2013” (HR 1233) cleared the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in June 2013, but has not seen action on the House floor. A Senate version has not yet been introduced. NCH’s Executive Director has reached out to the staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to urge Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) to introduce a bill and bring it before his panel for consideration.

• Policy Objective 4: NCH will take a lead role, with the assistance of other stakeholder groups, in advocating for the House to enact HR 1233, to strengthen the Presidential Records Act. NCH will identify a champion in the Senate to introduce a presidential records reform bill and work toward its passage.

D. Federal Records Preservation and Management

Declassification, records access, and preservation issues will remain a top priority for NCH in the coming year. The Coalition has worked with other stakeholders advocating for passage of legislation reducing over-classification of government records, increasing public access to unclassified records, speeding the declassification process, and establishing standards for the preservation of federal and presidential electronic records.

In 2013, NCH endorsed the “Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act” (H.R. 1380) which requires that any report required by statute to be issued to Congress and releasable under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) be posted on a website managed by the US Government Printing Office (GPO).

The “Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2013” (HR 1234) cleared the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in June 2013, but has not seen action on the House floor. A bill (S 1464) to expedite the declassification process and identify and designate historically valuable records as soon as possible after their creation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jean Shaheen (D-NH).

• Policy Objective 5: NCH will advocate for the passage of legislation to expedite the preservation and retrieval of federal and presidential records (both paper and electronic) and to streamline the declassification process.

2. REGULATORY & LEGAL ADVOCACY

The National Coalition for History continues to play an important advocacy role with federal agencies. NCH has maintained excellent relationships with the Archivist of the United States, the Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Chief Historian of the National Park Service, the Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the Historian of the State Department, and other key officials in the federal historical and archival bureaucracies.

A. Processing, Preservation, and Declassification of Federal and Presidential Records

NCH collaborated with other stakeholder groups in working with federal agencies to reduce over-classification of government records, increase public access to unclassified records, speed the declassification process, and establish standards for the preservation and retrieval of federal and presidential electronic records.

The National Archives, under the leadership of Archivist of the United States David Ferriero, has been aggressively urging agencies to take their records management responsibilities more seriously. Unfortunately, NARA still lacks the legal authority to compel compliance with federal records laws. NCH will continue to advocate for passage of legislation to establish meaningful records preservation standards and aggressively ensure federal agency compliance.

In December 2103, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) held a forum to seek public input on the recommendations in its 2012 report Transforming the Security Classification System regarding the prioritization of the preservation and processing of “historically significant records.” The PIDB report suggested that these records “should be identified and set aside as early as possible after their creation to ensure their preservation, long-term access and availability to agency policymakers and historians.” The PIDB also recommended that each agency should have an in-house history staff to assist agency records officers and declassifiers in the prioritization of records.

• Policy Objective 6: NCH will advocate for implementation of the relevant PIDB recommendations by Congress and within the Administration. NCH will advise the National Declassification Center on developing criteria to prioritize the processing of “historically significant” records, and support the creation of historical advisory panels and/or history offices at relevant federal agencies.

• Policy Objective 7: NCH will continue to provide advice to and monitor the activities of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, Public Interest Declassification Board, the State Department Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation, the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress, and other relevant federal bodies.

B. Open Government and Transparency
Since taking office, President Obama has issued a number of executive orders, directives, and memoranda to federal agencies committing his administration to maximum openness, transparency, and public participation. The National Archives has also engaged in a number of open government and outreach efforts.

In December, the NCH coordinated a letter to Director James Clapper of the Officer of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) urging him to reverse the CIA’s decision that the ODNI Open Source Center (OSC) will cease providing information to the World News Connection as of December 31, 2013.

• Policy Objective 8: Working with other stakeholders, NCH will continue to monitor the progress of the Obama administration in achieving its open government objectives. NCH will also work toward identifying new areas in which to promote openness and transparency within the federal government.

C. National Security Archive’s Lawsuit Over Release of the CIA’s Bay of Pigs History

In May 2012, the National Security Archive sued the CIA under the Freedom of Information Act seeking to declassify the full “Official History of the Bay of Pigs Operation.” Unfortunately, the U.S. District Court sided with the Agency’s efforts to keep the last volume of the report secret in perpetuity.

The Archive appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In response, the CIA filed a “motion for summary affirmance,” in effect asking the court to decide in its favor without full briefing or oral argument. In August 2012, NCH coordinated a letter from a dozen organizations representing thousands of historians, archivists, political scientists, educators, and researchers opposing the CIA’s motion. On December 7, 2012, the D.C. Appeals Court rejected the CIA’s position and ruled that the case merits the court’s full consideration.

At its January 4, 2013, meeting, the NCH Board passed a motion authorizing the preparation and submission of an amicus brief in support of the National Security Archive’s appellate brief. The Executive Director worked with the law firm Jones-Day in developing the amicus brief which was filed with the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals on January 29, 2013. The Appeals Court heard oral arguments in National Security Archive v. CIA on December 12, 2013. A decision is expected in the spring of 2014.

3. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

A. Congressional Outreach

At its January 2013 meeting, the NCH Policy Board directed the Executive Director to investigate the creation of House and Senate caucuses devoted to history. Consultations with the Historians of the House and Senate and the heads of the relevant federal agencies to gauge their interest were overwhelmingly positive. Based on these contacts, it was recommended to the NCH Board by the Executive Director that the initial efforts to create such a caucus begin in the House.

Over the past six months, the Executive Director has worked with the offices of Congressmen John Larson (D-CT) and Tom Cole (R-OK), on the creation of a Congressional History Caucus. Subsequently, Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) were added as co-chairs. The purpose of the Caucus is to provide a forum for Members of Congress to share their interest in the subject and to promote an awareness of history.

While the Caucus has been created, it is still in the formative stages. There will be a major push when Congress returns in January to solicit Members of Congress to join the organization. At that time, the Coalition will work through its member organizations and history and archives professionals across the country to encourage their representatives to join the caucus and participate in its activities.

• Policy Objective 9: The Executive Director will work with the Congressional History Caucus co-chairs to solicit members through promotion of a “Dear Colleague” letter and in organizing a rollout event. Throughout the year the Executive Director will assist the Congressional History Caucus in achieving its mission of promoting history on Capitol Hill.

• Policy Objective 10: The Executive Director will work towards the creation of a Senate History Caucus by the end of 2014, with the initial steps of identifying potential co-chairs by spring 2014.

B. Implementation of the Membership and Marketing Plan
In 2013, the NCH Board and Executive Director developed and adopted a Marketing and Membership Plan. (See attached). The Plan addressed such topics as promoting the Coalition, the importance of keeping Coalition members informed, membership retention and expansion, and clarifying membership benefits based on contribution levels.

• Policy Objective 11: The Executive Director should make it a top priority to implement the Membership and Marketing Plan and provide the Executive Committee with quarterly reports on his progress.

In 2013, the Executive Director chaired a session at the Organization of American Historians annual meeting on the effects of sequestration on history-related programs at federal agencies.

The Executive Director made a presentation on legislative advocacy during the National Humanities Alliance’s Advocacy Day event in March. Humanities advocates visited Capitol Hill distributed issue briefs and state grant data, and urged members of Congress to support increased funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and Title VI/Fulbright Hays International Education programs.

• Policy Objective 12: The Executive Director will set a goal of attending the annual meetings of four NCH organizations (within budget limitations) with priority given to those groups who meet the requisite membership level in the Membership and Marketing Plan. To the extent possible, the Executive Director will work with member organization representatives to provide presentations at these meetings.

C. Public Outreach
NCH plays an educational role for the history and archives communities it serves. This function is accomplished via the NCH electronic newsletter, the website and RSS feed, the Executive Director’s monthly and quarterly columns in member organizations’ publications, and presentations to constituent organizations at their annual meetings. Because the Coalition’s educational mission also extends to the media and the general public, the Executive Director frequently responds to requests from the print and electronic media.

In 2013, NCH created a Twitter feed and a Facebook page to create a social media presence for the organization.

The 2013 budget approved by the NCH Board authorized $10,000 to redesign NCH’s website. The Executive Director contracted with the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media (CHNM) to redesign the website. $6,800 of the amount allocated by the Board has been spent to date. However, there has been a general consensus among the NCH Executive Committee that the prototype needs extensive additional work before going live.

CHNM created the existing website in 2007 and maintained the website under a contract that expired in 2012. Since that time CHNM has hosted the website as an in-kind contribution in lieu of its previous annual dues payment of $1,000. It is estimated the current annual cost of maintaining the website is $1,500.

• Policy Objective 13: In consultation with the NCH Board, the Executive Director will work with CHNM to continue to refine the parameters of the website with a completion date no later than April 30, 2014. If the cost of completion exceeds $5,000, the Executive Director must seek Board approval before expending any additional funds.

4. FINANCES–Budget Narrative and 2014 Proposed Budget (sent separately).

2014 National Coalition for History Policy Objectives

1. During the conclusion of the FY 2014 appropriations process and development of the FY15 budget, NCH will lobby aggressively for sustained funding for those federal agencies and programs that have the greatest impact on the historical and archival communities. These include (but are not restricted to):
a) National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
b) National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)
c) Title VI/Fulbright-Hays International Education programs
d) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
e) National Park Service history and preservation programs
f) Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

2. NCH will remain vigilant for targeted language or amendments on appropriations bills designed to reduce funding for specific programs or which detrimentally affect constituent organizations.

3. NCH will advocate for restoration of federal K-12 history/civics education funding in the U.S. Department of Education’s FY 14 budget and/or in legislation reauthorizing the ESEA.

4. NCH will take a lead role, with the assistance of other stakeholder groups, in advocating for the House to enact HR 1233, to strengthen the Presidential Records Act. NCH will identify a champion in the Senate to introduce a presidential records reform bill and work toward its passage.

5. NCH will advocate for the passage of legislation to expedite the preservation and retrieval of federal and presidential records (both paper and electronic) and to streamline the declassification process.

6. NCH will advocate for implementation of the relevant PIDB recommendations by Congress and within the Administration. NCH will advise the National Declassification Center on developing criteria to prioritize the processing of “historically significant” records, and support the creation of historical advisory panels and/or history offices at relevant federal agencies.

7. NCH will continue to provide advice to and monitor the activities of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, Public Interest Declassification Board, the State Department Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation, the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress and other relevant federal bodies.

8. Working with other stakeholders, NCH will continue to monitor the progress of the Obama administration in achieving its open government objectives. NCH will also work toward identifying new areas in which to promote openness and transparency within the federal government.

9. The Executive Director will work with the Congressional History Caucus co-chairs to solicit members through promotion of a “Dear Colleague” letter and in organizing a rollout event. Throughout the year the Executive Director will assist the Congressional History Caucus in achieving its mission of promoting history on Capitol Hill.

10. The Executive Director will work towards the creation of a Senate History Caucus by the end of 2014, with the initial steps of identifying potential co-chairs by spring 2014.

11. The Executive Director should make it a top priority to implement the Membership and Marketing Plan and provide the Executive Committee with quarterly reports on his progress.

12. The Executive Director will set a goal of attending the annual meetings of four NCH organizations (within budget limitations) with priority given to those groups who meet the requisite membership level in the Membership and Marketing Plan. To the extent possible, the Executive Director will work with member organization representatives to provide presentations at these meetings.

13. In consultation with the NCH Board, the Executive Director will work with CHNM to continue to refine the parameters of the website with a completion date no later than April 30, 2014. If the cost of completion exceeds $5,000, the Executive Director must seek Board approval before expending any additional funds.