Friends, I know that some of you are concerned with the inappropriate and chilling effect of George Bush's executive order denying access to presidential records. There is strong bipartisan sentiment in Congress on this issue, and there is likely to be a law that will overturn the order. You can make a difference to the future of this legislation by contacting your Congressman or Congresswoman by phone or by letter. (Don't bother with email. Representatives don't read their email.) This is not an issue of partisan engagement, but an issue of public and scholarly access to national records. Best regards, Ken Friedman 3. 2nd NOTICE -- NCC ACTION ITEM: EXECUTIVE ORDER NULLIFICATION LEGISLATION A reprinting of this important message posted last week. If you haven't taken action, please do so today. In addition to the lawsuit filed by the Public Citizen that challenges provisions of President Bush's recent Executive Order 13233 relating to implementation of the Presidential Records Act (see "Lawsuit Challenges Bush Presidential Records Executive Order" in "NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #48, November 29, 2001), Congress now is initiating its own action to nullify the executive order. Last November, the House Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations conducted an oversight hearing entitled, The Implementation of the Presidential Records Act of 1978 (see "Reagan Papers/New Executive Order - Topics of Congressional Hearing" in NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #46, November 9, 2001). During the hearing it became apparent that both Republicans and Democrats were critical of the presidential order. In December, a number of interested parties met with minority Democratic Committee staff to discuss possible legislation that would overturn the E.O. Given the strong bi-partisan concern over E.O. 13233 and its draconian effects, it seemed plausible that a bi-partisan legislative effort could be successful. After consultation with majority staff, it was agreed to postpone introduction of legislation until the full Committee on Government Reform holds a hearing on the issue. That hearing - designed to give the issue more visibility and prominence - is expected to take place in the near future. To this end, the two key legislative players, Committee Chair Dan Burton (R-IN) and ranking Democrat Henry Waxman (D-CA) have agreed that they will introduce legislation - the Access to Presidential Records Act - at the hearing or shortly thereafter. The legislation will be simple and straightforward and will state that President Bush's Executive Order 13233 shall have no force or effect. With Congress now swinging into action, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! It is NOW time for the historical and archival community to TAKE ACTION. Please contact your members of Congress and encourage them to be "original cosponsors" of the Burton/Waxman legislation. A simple phone call to the member of the House of Representatives that represents you will do: the Capitol switchboard telephone number is (202) 224-3121. The message you need to communicate is simple: Request that your Representative become an original co-sponsor of Congressman Dan Burton and Henry Waxman's "Access to Presidential Records Act." Request that your Representative write you a letter in response to your request. Our goal is to see the legislation introduced with well over 100 House members as co-sponsors - the higher the number, the stronger the message will be to the Bush Administration. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!