Congressman Tom Cole Appointed To the NHPRC
Press Release · Tuesday, May 6, 2003

Washington, DC

Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert has announced the appointment of Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) as the new House representative on the 15-member National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration. The NHPRC supports a wide range of activities to preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources relating to the history of the United States.

"I am honored to be a part of a body whose significance can and will mean so much to future generations. We have a wonderful heritage to remember and record for others to enjoy. Preserving the past is an important responsibility," Congressman Tom Cole said.

Congressman Cole follows Congressman Roy Blunt who served on the Commission for five years.

John Carlin Archivist of the United States and Chairman of the NHPRC said, "I am truly excited that Congressman Cole has agreed to serve on the NHPRC board. He brings to the Commission, not only a broad knowledge of state and national politics, but a genuine commitment to education and history. He will be an enormous asset to the Commission and I look forward to formally welcoming him at our next meeting on May 6."

Congressman Cole was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2002 from the 4th District in Oklahoma. He was a member of the Oklahoma Senate from 1989 to 1991, and later served as Oklahoma secretary of state from 1995 to 1999. He served as a member of the Bush-Cheney Transition Advisory Committee. Mr. Cole is a former professor of history and politics, with a BA from Grinnell College (1971), an MA from Yale (1974) and a Ph.D. in history from University of Oklahoma (1984). He was both a Watson Fellow and a Fulbright Fellow and is currently on the board of the Fulbright Association. The Congressman's Congressional committee assignments are the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the Committee on Resources.

The NHPRC, established by Congress in 1934, is composed of representatives of the three branches of the Federal government and of professional associations of archivists, historians, documentary editors, and records administrators. Through its grant program, training programs, research services and special projects, the Commission offers advice and assistance to individuals and non-Federal agencies and institutions committed to the preservation and use of America's documentary resources.

Current Commission members are: John W. Carlin, Archivist of the United States; Nicholas C. Burckel and David W. Brady, representing the President; Charles T. Cullen, representing the Association of Documentary Editors; Christopher Dodd, representing the U.S. Senate; Mary Maples Dunn, representing the American Historical Association; Barbara J. Fields, representing the Organization of American Historians; Alfred Goldberg, representing the Department of Defense; Margaret P. Grafeld, representing the Department of State; J. Kevin Graffagnino, representing American Association for State and Local History; James H. Hutson, representing the Librarian of Congress; David H. Souter, representing the U.S. Supreme Court; Lee Stout, representing the Society of American Archivists; and Roy C. Turnbaugh, representing National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators.