[20081126]RS20825_总统图书馆：联邦制度和相关立法.pdf

1 See H. G. Jones, The Records of a Nation (New York: Atheneum, 1969), pp. 3-23.Order Code RS20825Updated November 26, 2008Presidential Libraries: The Federal Systemand Related LegislationHarold C. RelyeaSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryThrough the National Archives and Records Administration, the federalgovernment currently manages and maintains 12 presidential libraries. Inaugurated withthe Presidential Libraries Act of 1955, these entities are privately constructed on behalfof former Presidents and, upon completion, are deeded to the federal government.Deposited within these edifices are the official records and papers of the formerPresident, as well as documentary materials of his family and, often, his politicalassociates. These holdings are made available for public examination in accordancewith prevailing law concerning custody, official secrecy, personal privacy, and othersimilar restrictions. This report provides a brief overview of the federal presidentiallibraries system and tracks the progress of related legislation (H.R. 1254, H.R. 1255,H.R. 5811, S. 886). It will be updated as events recommend.During the first 150 years o