U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Press Release
February 22, 2005

Clinton Library Opens Presidential Papers for Research

Little Rock, AR . . The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, 1200 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas, announced that it is making over 100,000 pages of Clinton presidential records available for research. They represent the first public release of Clinton presidential records since the end of the Clinton Administration. This opening is a collaborative effort between the National Archives and President Clinton to make records documenting his Administration available to researchers as soon as possible.

The newly-released materials include files from two members of President Clinton’s Domestic Policy staff, Carol Rasco and Bruce Reed. Carol Rasco’s files deal with a wide range of domestic policy issues including employment, education, health care, and promotion of the arts. The files of Bruce Reed document the efforts of the Clinton Administration to reform the welfare system. The Clinton Library hopes to open other records from the files of Bruce Reed and Carol Rasco within the coming year.

The opening also includes the records of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States. This commission investigated the disposition of assets belonging to Holocaust victims which came under the control of the United States government during and after World War II.

The records released today were reviewed under the provisions of the 1978 Presidential Records Act or PRA. This act allows a former president to restrict certain records for a period of 12 years after he leaves office. President Clinton has chosen to relax the application of some of the restrictions afforded him under the PRA, ensuring an earlier release of substantive documentary materials.

The archivists at the Clinton Library are continuing to review other records for early release. The Clinton Library plans to open a series of records containing Administrative Histories which outline the achievements of various agencies and departments during the eight years of the Clinton Presidency, and material from the files of Ira Magaziner related to his role as President Clinton’s chief Internet advisor. The library also anticipates the release of additional records of the staff of the Domestic Policy Council by 2006.

For information on the released records, visit http://www.clintonlibrary.gov.

Beginning February 23, these records will be available at the Clinton Library, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Researchers should contact Emily Robison at (501) 244-2891.

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For press information, please contact Dr. David Alsobrook at 501-244-2884.

05-42


Source: NARA