IP: ALA letter on Intelligence Authorization bill

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
> Volume 10, Number 63
> August 31, 2001
>
> In this issue:
> [1] ALA Seeks Postponement of Hearing on Leaks Provision
> [2] Text of Letter to Senator Graham
>
>
> [1] ALA Seeks Postponement of Hearing on Leaks Provision
>
> ALA has joined with many other groups concerned about the "leaks"
> provision to the Intelligence Authorization bill that is currently
> under consideration by the Senate Select Committee on
> Intelligence. We are very concerned that the provision would
> diminish the public's right-to-know and raise First Amendment
> implications by discouraging dissent and disclosure of
> governmental misconduct and by criminalizing disclosure of
> information that may be unmarked but classified.
>
> ALA, together with the American Association of Law Libraries(AALL)
> and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), has written a
> letter to Senator Bob Graham, Chair of the Select Committee on
> Intelligence, requesting a postponement of the hearing on the
> provision, now scheduled for September 5th. We also request that
> the provision be subject to a public debate, preceded by deeper
> consideration and a much more extensive discussion of the
> provision's far-reaching implications.  Because this bill has such
> far-reaching impacts, we would like it to be proposed as a stand-
> alone bill, not as a provision attached to a larger bill. (Full
> text of letter follows in this email.)
>
> ALA is also part of a larger group effort to convince Senator Graham to
> postpone this unwise course of action.
>
> The ALA Washington Office is following this issue very closely and
> will keep members informed as it develops. Stay tuned to ALAWON
> for the latest news.
>
> [2] Text of Letter to Senator Graham:
>
>
> August 31, 2001
>
>
> The Honorable Bob Graham
> Chairman, Select Committee on Intelligence
> 211 Hart Office Building
> United States Senate
> Washington, DC 20510
>
> Sent via messenger
>
> Dear Senator Graham:
>
> On behalf of the American Library Association (ALA), the American
> Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and the Association of
> Research Libraries (ARL), we write to you today to request that
> you not hold a hearing on September 5th on a "leaks"
> criminalization provision under consideration as part of the
> Intelligence Authorization bill presently before your Committee.
> We further request that you not include the "leaks" provision in
> the Chairman's mark or in any legislation that moves to the Senate
> floor this session.
>
> ALA, AALL and ARL are strongly committed to broad public access to
> government information and the public's right-to-know. Together,
> we represent over 80,000 librarians nationwide. Last year, we
> opposed a similar provision that was added to the Intelligence
> Authorization Act, legislation subsequently vetoed by President
> Clinton.
>
> Having just recently learned of the scheduled hearing on the
> "leaks" provision, we do not believe that there has been
> sufficient time or adequate public notice to all stakeholders
> about this hearing. Further, we believe that authorization
> legislation is not the appropriate vehicle for the "leaks"
> proposal that raises very serious First Amendment and balance of
> power implications. Participation in this debate by all interested
> stakeholders, including researchers, the library community and
> others, requires more time and opportunity to prepare for a public
> hearing on what we believe should be separate legislation rather
> than an add-on to an authorization bill.
>
> We continue to believe that the "leaks" proposal is overly broad.
> We are very concerned that the provision would diminish the
> public's right-to-know and raise First Amendment implications by
> discouraging dissent and disclosure of governmental misconduct and
> by criminalizing disclosure of information that may be unmarked
> but classified.
>
> If the intent of Congress is to assign new powers to the executive
> branch, then at a minimum there should be full public hearings and
> debate before all appropriate congressional committees, including
> the Senate Judiciary Committee, on a stand-alone bill. Lastly, it
> is our understanding that President Bush is still considering
> policy issues in this arena and the Administration has not
> requested such legislation at this time. Based on these facts, we
> see no need to expedite the "leaks" proposal without a full
> analysis and review, including opportunities for public comment
> and participation.
>
> Mr. Chairman, we therefore respectfully request that you postpone
> the September 5th hearing and that you not include the "leaks"
> provision in the Chairman's mark or in any legislation that moves
> to the Senate floor this session. Thank you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Emily Sheketoff
> Executive Director
> ALA Washington Office
>
> Prudence Adler
> Associate Executive Director
> Association of Research Libraries
>
> Mary Alice Baish
> Associate Washington Affairs Representative
> American Association of Law Libraries
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ******
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> ------- End of Forwarded Message



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