Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, we have much to be thankful for here at the National Archives. We are grateful for the records we hold in trust, and for a mission that lets us serve the democracy and the people of this Nation. I also give thanks this year for the industrious staff at the National Archives, … Continue reading Giving Thanks

Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week

Today we celebrated Public Service Recognition Week with our annual 2017 Archivist's Achievement Awards Program. Since 1985, the first week of May has been set aside to honor the men and women who serve our nation as Federal, state, county, and local government employees. The Archivist’s Awards Ceremony provides the opportunity to thank all staff … Continue reading Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week

Getting Our House in Order: Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Yesterday, I had the privilege to speak to my colleagues in the archival profession at the Joint Annual Meeting of the Council of State Archivists and the Society for American Archivists in Atlanta, Georgia, about an important topic to me and an ongoing focus for us at the National Archives: diversity and inclusion.     … Continue reading Getting Our House in Order: Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Celebrating Service to the Public

Yesterday, at our annual Archivist’s Achievement Awards ceremony, we celebrated Public Service Recognition Week by recognizing staff across the country for their exceptional contributions to the mission of the agency. In my remarks, I said: As you have heard me say before:  for me every week of the year is Public Service Recognition Week because … Continue reading Celebrating Service to the Public

Be Bold. Build Our Future Through Our People

Our fourth strategic goal, our most important goal, focuses on the real treasures of the National Archives--our staff. Photograph of Female Statue, The Future, Located near the Pennsylvania Avenue Entrance to the National Archives Building, 06/30/1936. National Archives ID: 7657960   This goal highlights our commitment to provide our staff with the training, tools and opportunities necessary … Continue reading Be Bold. Build Our Future Through Our People

Being Bold!

From Photographs Taken Aboard the Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold, National Archives Identifier 5998403 Over the past eighteen months, the staff and I at the National Archives have been working diligently to develop our next Strategic Plan. Many meetings, long conversations, Town Halls, thoughtful emails, and loads of feedback from staff and stakeholders have gone … Continue reading Being Bold!

The Family Bible

The National Archives has many fascinating records documenting our history. Some of the most fascinating are contained in our Pension Files documenting veterans’ claims, or claims from their families, for benefits starting with the Revolutionary War. For a wife or parent to qualify for benefits on behalf of the deceased soldier they needed to supply … Continue reading The Family Bible

Happy Public Service Recognition Week!

Yesterday we celebrated the accomplishments of National Archives staff across the country in our annual Archivist's Awards Ceremony. I read from Senate Resolution 99 which commends public servants for their dedication and continued service to the United States and acknowledging that " ... public service is a noble calling." I also read from President Obama's … Continue reading Happy Public Service Recognition Week!