The Kennedy Library's expansion will be paid for with federal funds. But there is a question as to how public access to the new papers will be determined



Will the John F. Kennedy Library, a federal agency, decide who may see the papers? Or will it be the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, a private entity heavily influenced by the Kennedys but, through its tax exemption, heavily subsidized by the taxpayers? This question arises because some in the past have said that they've been denied access to certain of John Kennedy's officially declassified papers -- presumably, in an attempt by the foundation to protect the late president's image. British historian Nigel Hamilton, who had planned to write a trilogy on the life of JFK, quit after publishing one volume because of what he called persistent stonewalling.

The Kennedy Library's expansion will be paid for with federal funds. But there is a question as to how public access to the new papers will be determined

EDITORIAL - History and hagiography

Jul 27, 2006

Providence Journal Bulletin

The John F. Kennedy Library, in Boston, has announced plans for a new $22 million wing, which will house the papers of members of the Kennedy family, including Edward Kennedy, the late Robert Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, her husband Sargent Shriver, Jean Kennedy Smith, and the late Stephen Smith. This expansion is good for Boston and good for Dorchester, the neighborhood where the library, which opened in 1979, is situated.

Yet with friends of President Bush hoping to raise $200 million for a George W. Bush presidential library, it is timely to reflect on who controls the increasing number of public archives created under the Presidential Libraries Act, of 1955.

The Kennedy Library's expansion will be paid for with federal funds. But there is a question as to how public access to the new papers will be determined: Will the John F. Kennedy Library, a federal agency, decide who may see the papers? Or will it be the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, a private entity heavily influenced by the Kennedys but, through its tax exemption, heavily subsidized by the taxpayers?

This question arises because some in the past have said that they've been denied access to certain of John Kennedy's officially declassified papers -- presumably, in an attempt by the foundation to protect the late president's image. British historian Nigel Hamilton, who had planned to write a trilogy on the life of JFK, quit after publishing one volume because of what he called persistent stonewalling.

Mr. Hamilton's effort, JFK: Reckless Youth (1992), was in many ways an admiring work. But it described the president's well-known and not-so-well-known love affairs, along with other potentially embarrassing aspects of his personal life. These descriptions are apparently what made the author persona non grata at the JFK Library.

Some years later, the library granted Boston University historian Robert Dallek unprecedented -- though still incomplete -- access to Kennedy's medical records, for An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 (2003). Perhaps the library had learned from Nigel Hamilton's complaints; maybe it simply deemed Mr. Dallek a "friendlier" biographer.

A federal institution with custody of presidential papers should not withhold materials either because of the presidential family's feelings or to promote the president's image. The institution should follow the law, and leave the judgment to history.

A clarification of the John F. Kennedy Library's policy is particularly needed with the addition of papers from Kennedy relatives. For example, will the public have access to the papers of Jean Kennedy Smith in her capacity as ambassador to Ireland but not to those related to her son's 1991 trial for rape (he was acquitted)?

Regarding non-presidential papers, the donors may have some restrictive rights. Still, the publicly funded JFK Library has a responsibility to the public to clarify the terms of acceptance.

And in any event, the withholding from the public of declassified presidential documents is a scandal. It is also a probable violation of the Presidential Libraries Act.

When this story was posted in July 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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RPCV Ron Tschetter to head Peace Corps President Bush has nominated Ron Tschetter to serve as Director of the Peace Corps. Tschetter, 64, is the president of an investment firm based in Montana. He volunteered with his wife to work as family planning advisers in India and is a former Chairman of the National Peace Corps Association. PCOL Comment: Congratulations to the Bush administration for an inspired choice for Peace Corps Director. Ron Tschetter is not only an RPCV but was Chairman of the NPCA. Best wishes to Mr. Tschetter on his future tenure as Director of the Peace Corps. Latest: How Ron Tschetter was selected as Peace Corps Director.

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The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

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Support the US-Peruvian Trade Pact Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, the Peace Corps President, has been lobbying both Democratic and Republican legislators to support the US-Peruvian trade pact before July 28, when his term ends and a US congressional recess begins. If President Bush fails to get approval before Congress goes on recess, it will be a case study proving that the United States does not reward its friends. Please call your representatives.

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PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

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History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

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