Just checked and see 5,020 signatures, with 2 days to go. Please get word out to your constituencies so they can sign the petiition! (my last request, I promise!--at least this time around!) --------- Have you signed the petition about the proposed cut of NARA hours? http://www.PetitionOnline.com/FGS2006/petition.html (Case sensitive) If you belong to a non-genealogical research group please alert them to the petition. Just a reminder if you haven't signed the petition concerning NARA proposed closings here it is. ************* Dear Conference Attendee: We were honored to have Dr. Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States attend the FGS/NEHGS 2006 Conference in Boston and to address us in the Opening Session on Thursday, August 31, 2006. Following his remarks, he was presented with a letter by the Chair of the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) addressing concerns about the proposed changes in the hours of operation for the Research Rooms at the National Archives. It has come to our attention that very few of our constituencies are making their voices heard on this issue. This lack of response sends a loud signal to the Archives that this is not a serious issue and that closing the Archives on evenings and Saturdays is irrelevant. The RPAC has recommended the following suggestions for the Archives to consider: 1) To accommodate the needs of those who need access on Saturdays, we propose that you close one other day per week. This would be at your discretion. Other archives often close Sunday and Monday. 2) Users who need evening hour access could be accommodated by opening the archives later in the day, again at your discretion. If you agree with the recommendations stated above, we are asking your support by immediately going on-line and adding your “signature” to our petition to substitute the hours of access and still help the archives to meet their need to consolidate their hours of operation. Before 8 September 2006, please go to: <http://www.PetitionOnline.com/FGS2006/petition.html> (Case sensitive) If you wish to send your own personal letter, send it prior to 8 September 2006 and address it to: Regulations Comments Desk (NPOL) Room 4100, Policy and Planning Staff National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740-6001 Claire Claire Bettag 1685 34th Street NW Washington DC 20007 202-625-2598 ________________________________________________________________________ Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.