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April 1996
Hatfield Introduces Bill to Reauthorize NHPRC
Senator Mark Hatfield, Republican of Oregon and a member of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, has introduced legislation in the Senate to extend the life of the NHPRC's grant program by an additional four years. Senator Paul Sarbanes, Maryland Democrat who formerly served on the Commission, joined in the bill's introduction, giving it bipartisan sponsorship.
The Commission itself has been established by statute since 1934. But periodically it must request Congressional reauthorization to receive annual appropriations from the Congress for its grant program. The current, four-year authorization expires at the end of fiscal year 1997. The new bill, S1577, would extend that authorization from 1998 through 2001. The new bill also would authorize the Commission to receive up to $10 million per year in appropriations for grants, which is the maximum currently authorized.
In introducing the bill, Senator Hatfield described the Commission as promoting "some of the most vital archival preservation work in the country,"commended it as "quite successful in its mission to preserve and publish the Nation's historical works," declared that "future generations of Americans deserve the right to have accurate records of their past," and urged other senators "to give their support to this important legislation."
As co-sponsor, Senator Sarbanes also urged other senators to support the bill, and observed that the NHPRC's "efforts remain relevant to today's concerns . . . . We have seen the Commission launch several projects to deal with the growing problem facing archivists in controlling and accessing valuable electronic records, and helping historians make their documentary editions accessible electronically on the Internet. It is important," he said, "that the Commission continue its respected work in preserving the heritage of our Nation."
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