George W. Bush Presidential Records in Response to the Systematic Processing Projects and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests Listed in Attachment A
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VIA EMAIL (LM 2017-143) October 17, 2017 The Honorable Donald F. McGahn, II Counsel to the President The White House Washington, D.C. 20502 Dear Mr. McGahn: 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 systematic processing projects and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests listed in Attachment A. This material, consisting of 80,937 pages, 4,689 assets, and 19 video clips, 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, 12,560 pages and 2,522 assets withheld in whole and 3,603 pages, 195 assets, and 2 video clips withheld in part have been restricted. Therefore, NARA is proposing to open the remaining 64,774 pages, 1,972 assets and 17 video clips in whole and 3,603 pages, 195 assets, and 2 video clips 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 January 15, 2018, 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 Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2017-0010-P White House Office of Records Management 14 pages 11 pages 3 pages Subject files—DI002 (Natural Disasters) [segment thereof] The George W. Bush Library has completed the systematic processing of records from the White House Office of Records Management Subject files – DI002 (Natural Disasters) [segment thereof]. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening include a barcode scanning sheet, a tab, and an administrative handwritten note. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2017-0011-P USA Freedom Corps - Grace Ohlhaut, 454 pages 32 pages in 364 in whole; Subject files whole; 58 58 in part pages in part The George W. Bush Presidential Library has completed the systematic processing of records from USA Freedom Corps – Grace Ohlhaut – Subject files. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening are printed emails, draft and final briefings for White House events, draft scheduling proposals, information sheets, White House Visitor Entry System (WAVES) appointment confirmations, handwritten notes, talking points, event agendas, fact sheets, press releases, and printed booklets and information. Documents related to events at the White House for Big Brothers Big Sisters, biographical information on the Boys and Girls Clubs’ youths of the year for 2008, and draft reports regarding the Citizen Corps are included. In addition, many documents provided by various non-governmental organizations related to volunteering are present. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0216-F[1] Records sent to, by, or received by President 51,896 7,871 pages 40,956 pages in George W. Bush concerning certain Cabinet pages in whole; whole; 3,069 members 3,069 pages pages in part in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for all records sent to, sent by, or received by President George W. Bush concerning certain Cabinet members. The George W. Bush Presidential records proposed for opening include correspondence to/from President George W. Bush and to/from various cabinet members, presidential schedules and briefing memoranda, speech drafts, presidential message drafts, policy memoranda to President George W. Bush, and personnel records. Most of the records proposed for opening in this segment concern Andrew Card, Alberto Gonzales, or Condoleezza Rice. These materials come from the White House Office of A-1 of A-12 Records Management the White House Office of Chief of Staff, the White House Counsel’s Office, and the White House Office of the Staff Secretary. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0501-F Emails between Edward Lazear and the 677 assets 300 assets in 307 assets in Domestic Policy Council, National Economic whole; whole; Council, and the Department of the Treasury 70 in part 70 in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for emails between Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Edward Lazear, and the Domestic Policy Council, National Economic Council, and the Department of the Treasury. The George W. Bush Presidential electronic records proposed for opening are financial market update reports, routine administrative memoranda regarding program reviews, and scheduling emails. These materials are from the Exchange Email Search and Access Set. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0531-F Records regarding HIV/AIDS from Mrs. 2,988 921 pages, 1,755 pages, 87 Bush’s trip to South Africa, Rwanda, and pages; 379 252 assets in assets in whole; Tanzania in July 2005 assets whole; 312 312 pages, 40 pages, 40 assets in part assets in part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records regarding HIV/AIDS from Mrs. Bush’s trip to South Africa, Rwanda, and Tanzania in July 2005. The George W. Bush Presidential textual records proposed for opening are schedules, briefing papers, schedule proposals, site surveys, printed emails, articles, maps, internet printouts, published materials, talking points, Q&As, pool reports, fact sheets, handwritten notes, thank you letters, copies of signed photos, cables, maps, lists, fax cover sheets, receipts, forms, and other administrative documents. There are numerous versions of schedules for Mrs. Bush’s travels from July 8-15, 2005, scheduling proposals and background materials on the various organizations visited during the trip, and other administrative prep materials related to the planning of the trip such as scheduling information for the site survey team and menus for air travel. Also included are printed administrative emails and documentation regarding Rick and Kay Warren and Cherie Blair’s travels to Africa at the same time as Mrs. Bush’s. Draft and final letters to the editor of AllAfrica.com from Kristen Silverberg regarding Mrs. Bush’s comments about the ABC model of HIV prevention are also present. Lastly, there are schedules, Q&As, administrative documents, and other background materials related to President George W. Bush and Laura Bush’s travel to the G-8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, as Mrs. Bush left for Africa directly from this event. These materials are from the White House Office of Records Management Subject Files and the Office of Laura Bush. Electronic records proposed for opening consist of emails that contain press schedules, final drafts of speeches delivered on the trip, news articles with commentary, transcripts of Mrs. Bush’s remarks and an interview with Ann Curry for the TODAY Show, pool reports, speeches delivered by Ambassador Randall Tobias regarding HIV/AIDS, interview requests from reporters, and briefing papers for trip events. There are emails A-2 of A-12 requesting the posting of transcripts of remarks and photographs with captions on the White House website, copies of the transcripts and photos, as well as status reports on the website update. Also included is an email discussing the ability of the Treasury Department to provide briefing materials and a response from a staff member in Mrs. Bush’s Office. Documents from the shared drives include a list of individuals to thank, press proposals, and spreadsheets containing photo captions for the White House website. These electronic records are from the Exchange Email, NSC Shared Drive, OA Shared Drive, and WHO Shared Drive Search and Access Sets. Case Number Topic Material Material Material Processed Restricted Proposed for Opening 2014-0559-F Emails regarding Payday Lending, Rent-A- 2,742 1,801 assets 860 assets in Bank, or Shadow Lending assets in whole; 81 whole; 81 assets in assets in part part This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for emails regarding payday lending, rent-a-bank, or shadow banking, limited to correspondence between government agencies. The George W. Bush Presidential electronic records proposed for opening are routine and administrative emails including press releases, news articles,