Assessment of the 98th Congress. The passage of legislation to restore independence to the National Archives, the successful efforts to maintain current funding levels for humanities programs and research, and resistance to restrictive amendments to the Freedom of Information Act reflect the attention and support that the 98th Congress gave to historical and archival concerns. Although the Historic Preservation Fund and the National Endowment for the Humanities experienced small cuts of less than one percent, several of the cultural agencies received larger appropriations in FY’85 than they did in FY’84. The funding for Historic Preservation went down to $25.48 million from $26.5 million, and NEH went from $140 million to $139.478 million. The 98th Congress heeded the voices of those concerned about the care of government records and increased the funding for the National Archives with an appropriation for FY’85 of $97.936 million, which includes $5.2 million for special projects at the Kennedy Presidential Library and $4 million for the grants program of the National Historical and Publications Commission. This marks an increase of approximately $7 million over the FY’84 budget and almost $20 million more than the 1981 budget. The Institute of Museum Services funding increased from $20.15 million to $21.560 million and the Smithsonian Institution appropriation for FY’85 is $189.561 million, an increase of almost $15 million over the previous year.
Financial assistance for students included not only increases for Pell Grants and student loans but also funding for a program of Graduate Fellowships for Humanities and Social Sciences. Although the program was authorized by Congress in 1980, the FY’85 budget is the first one to include funding for this program. It provides $2.5 million for up to 450 fellowships.
Selection of a New Archivist. After working for years to secure independence for the National Archives, it is now crucial for historians and archivists to monitor the selection process and encourage the appointment of a nonpolitical and qualified person to assume the position of Archivist of the US. Although many names of possible candidates for the position of Archivist are circulating, there is no evidence that the White House has at this time decided on a specific person. In order to prevent the hasty appointment of an inappropriate person, the NCC, in coordination with other organizations, is encouraging the use of carefully considered qualifications as criteria in the selection of the US Archivist.
Members of the White House Personnel Staff have indicated informally that since there is no recent precedent for the presidential appointment of an Archivist, they would welcome suggestions concerning the selection from professional associations. After due consideration, the White House will be sending the name of a proposed candidate to the Senate for advice and consent. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will then hold confirmation hearings. Since the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee spearheaded the independence legislation, they are a most appropriate body to consider the President’s nomination. Three-fourths of the members of this committee were cosponsors of the independence legislation and all but two endorsed the committee report that emphasized the need to establish an independent National Archives “on a professional basis unaffected by political considerations or other extraneous factors.”
