George W. Bush Presidential Records in Response to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests and Appeal Listed in Attachment A
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VIA EMAIL (LM 2015-060) July 6, 2015 The Honorable W. Neil Eggleston Counsel to the President The White House Washington, D.C. 20502 Dear Mr. Eggleston: In accordance with the requirements of the Presidential Records Act (PRA), as amended, 44 U.S.C. §§2201-2209, this letter constitutes a formal notice from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to the incumbent President of our intent to open George W. Bush Presidential records in response to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and appeal listed in Attachment A. This material, consisting of 19,184 pages, 229 assets, one audio clip, and one video clip, has been reviewed for the six PRA Presidential restrictive categories, including confidential communications requesting or submitting advice (P5) and material related to appointments to federal office (P2), as they were eased by President George W. Bush on November 15, 2010. These records were also reviewed for all applicable FOIA exemptions. As a result of this review, 8,447 pages and 108 assets in whole and 1,193 pages and 21 assets in part have been restricted. Therefore, NARA is proposing to open the remaining 9,544 pages, 100 assets, one audio clip, and one video clip in whole and 1,193 pages and 21 assets in part that do not require closure under 44 U.S.C. § 2204. A copy of any records proposed for release under this notice will be provided to you upon your request. We are also concurrently informing former President George W. Bush’s representative, Tobi Young, of our intent to release these records. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2208(a), NARA will release the records 60 working days from the date of this letter, which is September 29, 2015, unless the former or incumbent President requests a one-time extension of an additional 30 working days or asserts a constitutionally based privilege, in accordance with 44 U.S.C. 2208(b)-(d). Please let us know if you are able to complete your review before the expiration of the 60 working day period. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2208(a)(1)(B), we will make this notice available to the public on the NARA website. If you have any questions relating to this notification, please contact me at (202) 357-5144 or NARA General Counsel Gary M. Stern at (301) 837-3026. Sincerely, B. JOHN LASTER DIRECTOR Presidential Materials Division Enclosure ATTACHMENT A Case Number Topic Pages Pages Pages Proposed Processed Restricted for Opening 2015-0146-F Select dates of the Presidential Daily Diary 596 146 in 130 in whole; whole; 320 320 in part in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal for Presidential Daily Diary records. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening are select dates, from 2001 to 2009, of the daily diary and appendices from the White House Office of Appointments and Scheduling - Presidential Daily Diary. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0072-F Communications between President George 12,046 3,294 pages 8,093 pages, 1 W. Bush and pastors or other spiritual pages; 1 in whole; audio clip in advisors audio clip 659 pages in whole; 659 pages part in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records related to President George W. Bush’s correspondence with pastors and other spiritual advisors. Specifically, the request mentioned Ted Haggard, James Mayfield, Mark Craig, Kirbyjon Caldwell, and Billy Graham. However, the majority of the George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening are limited to notes of missed telephone calls, schedules, event agendas, weather reports, news articles, talking points, and factual reports regarding administration events and policies. The small amount of correspondence located includes letters from President George W. Bush thanking people for their support or participation in official events. Also included is correspondence from members of his administration and others pertaining to events such as speeches, holidays, media coverage, or presidential trips as well as statements of support. Finally, there are letters from members of Congress. This FOIA also contains photographs, including photos of President George W. Bush at an event for Wonderful Outdoor World, which is a program for urban children to learn about camping and the outdoors, as well as a photo of President George W. Bush with painter Robert Anderson and photographer Roupen Agopian. Also proposed for opening is one compact disc recording entitled “We Embrace Your Move,” by Christian songwriter Darrell Evans. The majority of the material comes from the White House Office of Records Management. Additional materials are from the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives and the White House Office of the Staff Secretary. A-1 of A-6 Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0229-F Records related to Jose Padilla between May 131 pages; 56 pages; 75 pages, 3 assets 2002 and February 2008 16 assets 13 assets in in whole; 13 assets part in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records related to Jose Padilla, also known as Abdullah al-Muhajir, between May 2002 and February 2008 that were sent to, sent by, or received by President George W. Bush. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening are routing memoranda, a letter to President George W. Bush from the International Bar Association, and a final determination from President George W. Bush regarding Jose Padilla. There is also a declassified memorandum, made public, from the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel from June 8, 2002, entitled “Determination of Enemy Belligerency and Military Detention.” Electronic records proposed for opening consist of emails sent from the general public providing commentary on news articles, voicing opinions regarding Jose Padilla and other topics, and an email from a high school student asking President George W. Bush for his point of view on how Jose Padilla was being treated. These records come from the Automated Records Management System (ARMS), Exchange Email, and Exchange Restored 40 Days Search and Access Sets. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0343-F Records created by or sent to N. Gregory 100 pages; 80 pages, 80 20 pages, 69 Mankiw regarding Government Sponsored 152 assets assets in assets in whole; 3 Enterprise (GSE) Regulation, Policy, and whole; 3 assets in part Legislation assets in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records created by or sent to N. Gregory Mankiw regarding government sponsored enterprise (GSE) regulation, policy and legislation. The George W. Bush Presidential textual records proposed for opening are routine routing memoranda from the White House Office of Records Management. Electronic records proposed for opening consist of draft and final copies of an op-ed, published material regarding government sponsored enterprises (GSEs), drafts of Treasury Secretary John W. Snow’s testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, and a statement and remarks given by Franklin D. Raines, Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae. These records come from the Automated Records Management System (ARMS), Exchange Email, Exchange Email Restored – 21 Days, and Exchange Email Restored – 33 Days Search and Access Sets. A-2 of A-6 Case Number Topic Pages Pages Pages Proposed Processed Restricted for Opening 2014-0349-F Records created by or sent to Henry Paulson, 36 27 9 Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, related to securities regulation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and market regulation This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records created by or sent to Henry Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, related to securities regulation, the SEC, and market regulation. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening are barcode scanning sheets and the remarks delivered by “U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., on the U.S., the World Economy and Markets before the Chatham House” in July 2008. These materials are from the White House Office of Records Management Subject Files – FG012 (Department of the Treasury) and FG456 (Working Group on Financial Markets). Case Number Topic Pages Pages Pages Proposed Processed Restricted for Opening 2014-0355-F Records created by or sent to Arthur Levitt, 4,333 3,878 in 353 in whole; Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whole; 102 102 in part Chairman in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records created by or sent to Arthur Levitt, SEC Chairman. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening include correspondence, resumes, fax cover sheets, administrative tracking documents, news articles, and Internet printouts. These materials are from the Office of Records Management and relate to employment in the White House or presidential appointments throughout the federal government. No material proposed for release contains personal privacy information or discloses a candidate's non-selection for a position. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0357-F Records created by or sent to William 992 pages; 592 pages, 2 398 pages, 21 Donaldson, Securities and Exchange 26 assets assets in assets in whole; 2 Commission (SEC) Chairman whole; 2 pages in part pages in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records created by or sent to William Donaldson, SEC Chairman. The George W. Bush Presidential textual records proposed for opening are routine correspondence, press releases, notes, reports, news clippings, A-3 of A-6 various cover sheets and website printouts. Materials include copies of SEC regulations, a copy of the Report Pursuant to Section 401(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and a hand-written note of thanks from President George W.