Records on Vice President Bush's Task Force on Combating Terrorism

The materials in FOIA 1999-0137-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 1999-0137-F contains material related to Vice President Bush's Task Force on Combating Terrorism. Formed in July 1985 shortly after the TWA 847 hijacking, the cabinet-level task force was developed at 1999-0137-F 2 the behest of President Reagan to review and evaluate United States' policy concerning terrorism. Vice President Bush chaired the task force, which submitted a classified report to President Reagan in December 1985 and issued a public report the following February. Daily activities were coordinated by Admiral James L. Holloway, III, who served as the task force's executive director. The task force was dissolved shortly after the public report was issued. In March 1987, President Reagan requested a review of the progress that had been made by the federal government in implementing the recommendations of the task force. A classified copy of that review was delivered to the president on June 2, 1987. The majority of the material related to the development and implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Combating Terrorism remain classified at this time as does the actual 1985 report and 1987 progress evaluation. Filed with this material are numerous documents that relate directly to the issue of terrorism but only peripherally to the work of the task force. These closed documents are located primarily in the National Security Council and National Security Affairs files. Much of the Bush Vice Presidential WHORM Subject File records is correspondence between the public and government officials responsible for terrorism policy. There are also numerous letters between Bush and various congressmen related to the work of the task force or terrorism-related legislation under consideration. This congressional correspondence can also be found in the Vice President's staff files. Routine memoranda, press releases, and articles concerning the terrorism issue are also scattered throughout these staff files. Also located here are documents related to speeches given and articles written by President Bush on the topic of terrorism. Of particular importance is his speech to the International Conference on Terrorism in January 1987. Also located with this material are some of the office files from the Task Force. These files contain very few documents related to the actual development and implementation of terrorism policy. They do contain routine administrative material and forms needed for the day-to-day work of task force members. Read less