Direct From The Congressional Record. The nomination considered and confirmed is as follows:

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Allen Weinstein, of Maryland, to be Archivist of the United
States.
Update: 02/11 14:23 EST by B:The Society
of American Archivists has a release on this now. Copied below.

Direct From The Congressional Record. The nomination considered and confirmed is as follows:

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Allen Weinstein, of Maryland, to be Archivist of the United
States.
Update: 02/11 14:23 EST by B:The Society
of American Archivists has a release on this now. Copied below.

PRESS RELEASE:

Society
of American Archivists Congratulates New NARA Head, Calls for
Due Process in Future Archivist of the United States Appointments

 

CHICAGO,
ILLINOIS, February 11, 2005—The Society of American Archivists (SAA) today
congratulated Dr. Allen Weinstein on his confirmation as
Archivist of the United States, a position that places him at the head of the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). “During informal
conversations, Dr. Weinstein has expressed his commitment to the independence
of NARA and pledged collaboration with professional archival
organizations,” SAA President Randall C. Jimerson said today. “We
look forward to working closely with him as he assumes this vital leadership
position.”

At the same
time, SAA reiterated its concern that the process of nominating a new Archivist
of the United States “was undertaken outside both the
letter and the spirit of the law” and compromises the political
independence of NARA. Weinstein was originally nominated on April 8, 2004, to succeed John Carlin as NARA head.

“Congress
intended that filling the position of Archivist of the United
States should involve an open process, with consultation with appropriate
professional organizations that could speak from knowledge and experience
concerning the qualifications of nominees,” SAA stated in July 22, 2004, written testimony to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, which
conducted hearings on Weinstein’s nomination. The President has power to
remove the Archivist, but if he takes this action, the law calls for him to
provide Congress with an explanation of his reasons. “Despite repeated
requests, we still have not received an explanation of why this nomination had
to move so quickly that interested professional associations could not be
consulted,” Jimerson said. “The nomination should have been
postponed to allow the process prescribed by law to be followed. At a minimum
we hope that the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will begin working with
interested professional associations to establish a more formal—and more
accountable—procedure that can be used for future nominations.”

Given the
absence of due process, SAA chose neither to support nor to oppose
Weinstein’s appointment. “However,” Jimerson said, “I have
personally assured Dr. Weinstein that SAA will offer our assistance and
cooperation. As Archivist of the United States, he has a pivotal
role in the preservation of the nation’s archives, including records held
at NARA and in the states. He takes office at a time of crisis as the
President’s budget includes significant cuts in the NARA budget that pose
a major threat to the preservation of the nation’s historical
memory.”

The
Society of American Archivists is a national professional organization representing
more than 4,000 individual and institutional members. Its mission is to serve
the education and information needs of its members and to provide leadership to
ensure the identification, preservation, and use of the nation’s
historical record.

For information, contact:

Nancy
Beaumont
Society of American Archivists
312/922-0140
[email protected]

 

See
also:

• Statement
  for the Record on the Nomination of Allen Weinstein to Become Archivist of
  the United States (July 22, 2004)
• Joint
  Statement on Selection Criteria for the Archivist of the United States
  (August 26, 2004)
• Joint
  Statement on Questions to Ask the Nominee for Archivist of the United
  States (August 26, 2004)
• Statement
  on the Nomination of Allen Weinstein to Become Archivist of the United
  States (April 14, 2004)