Records of the White House Office of Records Management (George H.W. Bush Administration)

This series contains materials relating to winners of the 1989 CINC Award among which were NAS Pensacola, Florida; Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; Defense Contract Services Region, Boston; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Bitburg Air Base.

This series contains materials relating to the establishing of the award itself, the nomination process, and the final awarding of medallions to both individual and group conservation organizations.

This series contains materials relating to the 1989 Education Summit Conference, the Summit Meeting between President Bush and Soviet Premier Gorbachev, the Energy Policy Briefing and the Administrative Conference of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

This series contains materials relating to meetings of the Western Governors Association and to the Governor' Summit Conference on Education.

This series contains records relating to meetings of the National Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Black Mayors, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

This series contains relating to the White House Conference on Aging, the White House Conference on Science and Economics, research related to global change, briefings on the 1990 budget, the Youth Coalition Briefing, briefings on the drug war, the White House Conference on Water Resources and the White House Conference on Indian Education. Additional materials concern the White House Conference on Climate Change and various nominations to conference commissions.

This series contains requests for White House Message Office correspondence such as greetings for birthdays, anniversaries, births, graduations, and marriages. Also included are requests for get well and condolence messages. The category also contains the drafts and/or final responses provided by the Message Office.

This series contains requests for messages to individuals, including greetings for birthdays, anniversaries, births, graduations, and marriages. The category also contains the drafts and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office. These messages are provided for outstanding individuals including civic leaders, religious leaders, political figures, friends and family of President Bush, friends and family of White House staff, friends and family of members of Congress, and other notable public figures. Also included are messages for individuals recognized for their efforts as volunteers, including the people selected as Daily Points of Light.

This series contains requests for messages that were subsequently denied by the White House Message Office.

This series contains requests for messages commemorating wedding anniversaries of marriages that are exceptional in length. In most instances, the draft and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office to those requests are included.

This series contains requests for messages in honor of birthdays. Many of the individuals who received these messages had reached an extraordinary age. Birthday greetings are also sent to prominent individuals, including all members of Congress. In most instances, the draft and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office to those requests are included.

This series contains requests for messages on occasions of death. These condolences were sent to the families of prominent elected officials, public figures, family and friends of President Bush, the White House staff, and members of Congress. Condolences also went to the families of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and armed service personnel killed in the line of duty. Also included are the drafts and final versions of the letters President Bush wrote to the families of the victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. In most instances, the draft and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office to those requests are included

This series contains requests for get well messages. These messages went to prominent elected officials, public figures, family and friends of President Bush, the White House staff, and members of Congress. In most instances, the draft and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office to those requests are included.

This series contains requests for messages congratulating couples on their marriages. These messages were sent to prominent elected officials, public figures, family and friends of President Bush, the White House staff, and members of Congress. In most instances, the draft and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office to those requests are included.

This series contains requests for messages to religious institutions and organizations. The largest segment of this category contains requests for anniversary messages for churches, synagogues, and temples. Also, there are a number requests for messages to conventions, convocations, or other gatherings of religious groups. A third substantial subsection of this category is message requests for dedications of new worship facilities. The remaining requests include messages for religious programs and performances, religious leaders and honorees by religious institutions, religious celebrations of secular and sectarian holidays, and religious mission trips. Finally, apart from these standard solicitations received by all presidents, this category contains requests specific to President Bush’s term in office. Most notable are requests from religious institutions for messages acknowledging prayer services being held concerning the war against Iraq. In most instances, the draft and/or final responses provided by the White House Message Office to those requests are included.

This series contains message requests directly or indirectly related to education. Most of
the requests in this sub-category are for messages acknowledging graduations from secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Other large segments include message requests for elementary, secondary, and college reunions, as well as requests regarding the dedication of new education facilities, the start of education conferences, and the receipt of scholarships, honorary degrees, and other educational awards. With only minor exceptions, these requests resulted in messages from either the White House or the Department of Education. However, it should be noted that graduation and reunion messages were very rarely provided to individuals, but rather to the entire group. This category also contains numerous requests for messages specifically addressed to Barbara Bush. The vast majority of these requests concerned literacy programs or library dedications and were answered by the First Lady. The White House also consistently provided messages for graduates of drug awareness programs and attendees of drug-free graduation parties. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports provided messages related to physical education and proper nutrition, but congratulatory messages for athletic teams winning championships were provided by the White House. Other messages, which are only indirectly related to education, include correspondence to musical groups, such as marching bands that performed in the inauguration and various parades, father/son meetings, and messages for college newspapers. Many of the messages sent by the White House during the last two years of the administration were used to promote Administration policies such as the America 2000 initiative. It should be noted that unless there was a specific person of importance or with connections to the Administration being honored, personal messages were not sent. Instead, all messages were addressed to the participating group. Also, as is true with all messages categories, the most important messages were sent by the White House, with appropriate departments, most often the Department of Education, sending messages to those groups deemed less important.

This series contains message requests related in some way to the health care industry. The most common type of message in this subcategory is the anniversary message provided by the President or an Administration representative at the Department of Health and Human Services to representatives of health-care facilities or organizations. Generally, requests for messages for ground- breaking ceremonies of new medical facilities were declined, but dedications of such facilities were considered worthy of a message. Messages were also sent to conventions, conferences, symposia, and awards ceremonies related to health care. Volunteer groups and non-profit organizations working in the medical field generally received messages upon request. In some instances, the Bush Administration sent a more general proclamation instead of a personalized message in response to a request.

This series contains requests for Presidential messages to various groups and organizations. The majority of these messages have been issued to commemorate anniversaries, annual conferences, or other organizational meetings. These message requests do not have any common theme or deal with any particular subject matter. Their placement in this category stems only from their originations as message requests from organizations, groups, or associations. However, it should be noted that there are a large number of message requests related to gatherings of current and former military personnel. Many of these requests are connected to World War II anniversary celebrations.

This series contains anniversary messages to newspapers, magazines, radio, and television stations. Messages were also provided by the White House to regional and national gatherings of reporters, broadcasters, and writers. Other messages were sent to media outlets that were publishing or broadcasting special editions or series that interested the President, such as crime prevention and drug abuse. Also, there are many messages located in this sub-category that had no direct relation to the media. These generally involved requests from organizations that wanted messages from President Bush and planned to have them published. Finally, there were several messages provided to media outlets congratulating them for their public service during and after natural disasters. The vast majority of these related to Hurricane Hugo.

This series contains message requests from groups or individuals seeking Presidential messages for exhibitions, trade fairs, and other gatherings. The majority of these gatherings were business related, and many of these were requests from the United States Information Agency for messages to United States' pavilions at international trade meetings. Messages were also sent from the White House or various cabinet departments to national trade fairs and expositions sponsored by both profit and non-profit organizations. In addition to these message requests, this category also contains a limited number of messages to non-profit missions and county and state fairs.

This series contains material pertaining to national security functions including the safeguarding of classified information, restrictions on the use of military aircraft, and troop transportation and military operations which involve the planning, preparation, and conduct of warfare. There is also information on the planning, mobilization, and management of resources and production for defense needs and for material related to the protection of life and property by preparing for and carrying out non-military functions to prevent, minimize, repair, and recover from damage caused by enemy attack, including post attack mobilization plans and status of forces agreement.

This series contains letters of correspondence, memoranda, coversheets, notes, distribution lists, newspaper articles, informational papers, published articles, and reports from the public, the Congress, Bush administration officials, and other various federal agencies primarily regarding the Persian Gulf Crisis. There are letters sent by the members of a variety of interest groups, as well as Senators, Congressman, military members, and civilians expressing concerns and/or support for the actions taken by the Bush administration during Operation Desert Storm/Shield. Unsolicited advice and various viewpoints are routinely provided in these correspondences in hopes of influencing various policies with the ally coalition and Iraq, as well as Bush administration policies for future peace in the Middle East. Often letters are accompanied by informational papers, newspaper articles, and other case study reports in support of the idea being presented. There are often replies offered by various White House offices defending Bush administration policies and giving general thanks for letters of gratitude, concern and inquiry. The drafting of these replies among the various executive branch offices generates routine administrative paperwork, such as the mentioned above memoranda, coversheets, notes, and distribution lists. These replies were most often written by various members of the State Department and National Security Council and then were generated to White House Offices as robo letters to provide general, non-sensitive responses to the variety of issues related to various facets of the Persian Gulf War. While the vast majority of these records are related to the Gulf Crisis there are also minute remnants of records related to other prominent subjects such as Vietnam POWs/MIAs and the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.

This series contains letters, memoranda, treaties, legislation, and reports concerning weapons systems and munitions. A small portion of the correspondence is public mail regarding defense programs including the strategic defense initiative (SDI). The majority of correspondence, however, documents interactions between the Administration and members of Congress regarding funding for defense systems or treaty ratification. Topics discussed include ballistic missile proliferation, the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, and the nuclear nonproliferation. Reports to Congress comprise much of the material in this category and document among other things Soviet compliance to the START treaty and the extent of the U.S. and Soviet chemical and biological weapons stockpiles.

This series contains unclassified White House cover sheets, which route other documents, and correspondence from U.S. and State Senators and Congressmen, governors, mayors, city councils, retired military personnel, attorneys, religious leaders, and private citizens, including elementary school children. The bulk of the correspondence opposes the closure of, or cutbacks at, specific Army, Navy, and Air Force bases, stations, shipyards, R and D labs, and training facilities as determined by the Defense Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure. In addition to opposing base closures, some of the correspondence suggests possible future uses for closed bases, such as transferring the land to the Department of the Interior for a wildlife preserve or using the land for a public airport. Also included are responses to many of these letters from White House staff and representatives from the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Resolutions from City Councils, Townships, and other local organizations oppose base closure, mostly for economic reasons. Reports and papers include a legal analysis by the Congressional Research Service on the benefits of transferring base land to the Fish and Wildlife Service and a report from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce opposing the closure of the local Naval Shipyard. Printed Material consists of newspaper clippings regarding the impact of proposed base closure, background information on bases and their relationship to their communities, and proposed future uses for closed bases.

This series contains unclassified White House cover sheets, which route other documents, and correspondence from US and State Senators and Congressmen, governors, mayors, city councils, retired military personnel, attorneys, religious leaders, and private citizens, including elementary school children. The bulk of the correspondence opposes the closure of, or cutbacks at, specific Army, Navy, and Air Force bases, stations, shipyards, R and D labs, and training facilities as determined by the Defense Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure. In addition to opposing base closures, some of the correspondence suggests possible future uses for closed bases, such as transferring the land to the Department of the Interior for a wildlife preserve or using the land for a public airport. Also included are responses to many of these letters from White House staff and representatives from the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Resolutions from City Councils, Townships, and other local organizations oppose base closure, mostly for economic reasons. Reports and papers include a legal analysis by the Congressional Research Service on the benefits of transferring base land to the Fish and Wildlife Service and a report from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce opposing the closure of the local Naval Shipyard. Printed Material consists of newspaper clippings regarding the impact of proposed base closure, background information on bases and their relationship to their communities, and proposed future uses for closed bases.

This series contains unclassified White House cover sheets, which route other documents, and correspondence from US and State Senators and Congressmen, governors, mayors, city councils, retired military personnel, attorneys, religious leaders, and private citizens, including elementary school children. The bulk of the correspondence opposes the closure of, or cutbacks at, specific Army, Navy, and Air Force bases, stations, shipyards, R and D labs, and training facilities as determined by the Defense Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure. In addition to opposing base closures, some of the correspondence suggests possible future uses for closed bases, such as transferring the land to the Department of the Interior for a wildlife preserve or using the land for a public airport. Also included are responses to many of these letters from White House staff and representatives from the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Resolutions from City Councils, Townships, and other local organizations oppose base closure, mostly for economic reasons. Reports and papers include a legal analysis by the Congressional Research Service on the benefits of transferring base land to the Fish and Wildlife Service and a report from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce opposing the closure of the local Naval Shipyard. Printed Material consists of newspaper clippings regarding the impact of proposed base closure, background information on bases and their relationship to their communities, and proposed future uses for closed bases.

This series contains material related to the government's providing security clearances to employees and contractors, and the White House ensuring secure communications lines.

This series contains information on global climate changes, the global environment, global environmental research and policy, conservation and preservation of resources and the environment, energy and the environment, wildlife protection, environmental education, energy conservation, water allocation. Also included are public mail and letters from school children urging the President to protect the environment, suggestions and reports from non-government organizations, weekly reports from the Land and Natural Resources/Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Justice Department, and periodic updates from within the Administration on the "Bush Environmental Record."

This series contains information on Presidential appointments to regional commissions, committees and river compacts, and annual reports from various commissions. Reports from river commissions and compacts comprise a large portion of these records.

This series contains information on the Silver Spring monkeys; the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs); the Spotted Owl controversy in the Pacific Northwest (much of it from the environmentalist perspective); national wildlife refuges; trade in endangered species. Also included in this category is and public mail regarding the possible amendment of the Endangered Species Act, the protection of whales, American freshwater mussels, the blue fin tuna, dolphins, and wildlife in general.

This series contains information (much of it from the timber industry perspective) on the Spotted Owl controversy in the Pacific Northwest, old growth forests, National Forests, the America the Beautiful program, rainforest destruction, tree conservation and replanting efforts, the National Tree Trust, and the Forests for the Future Initiative.

This series contains information on wetlands, the definition of wetlands, President Bush's pledge of "no net loss of wetlands", wetlands mitigation, public recreational lands, Conservation Reserve Program lands, and land acquisitions and transfers.

This series contains information on mining, mining regulations, mine health and safety, mineral rights and leasing, and the National Plan for Research in Mining and Mineral Resources reports.

This series contains information on oil and gas development, offshore oil and natural gas drilling, offshore oil drilling leases, oil drilling within wildlife refuges/sanctuaries, Outer Continental Shelf oil drilling, natural gas as a fuel, and the strategic petroleum reserves.

This series contains information on the Two Forks (Colorado) Dam Project, national scenic rivers, local and national water commissions and organizations, cleanup of water pollution, the National Estuary Program, National Ocean Protection Act of 1990, river study acts, river compacts/commissions, federal water projects at the local level, the Savannah River Plant, and the Reclamation Projects Reauthorization and Adjustments Act of 1992.

This series contains information on paper recycling, glass recycling, solid waste recycling, recycling efforts of private citizens, federal recycling programs and the White House recycling program.

This series contains information on river projects, harbor projects, the Two Forks (Colorado) Dam Project, water contracts, the Clean Lakes Program, water management, scenic rivers, and canals.

This series contains letters, memoranda, and reports relating to space programs, initiatives, and activities. Letters included in this subcategory are from private citizens and members of Congress and generally voice support for the space program. Memoranda to and from White House staff members discuss the President’s space priorities including continued funding for the Space Station Freedom program and the National Space Council. Additional materials document the interaction of NASA and the National Space Council in developing a coherent space policy and priorities for future activities. Letters and reports from aerospace companies outline support for the space station as well as a planned mission to Mars and include suggestions and proposals to accomplish these goals.

This series contains materials similar to those found in the general OS secondary category. Letters from the public and members of Congress, however, also discuss space shuttle activity and the need to continue manned exploration of space. Also included in these materials are copies of proposed testimony before Congress by NASA officials, as well as copies of legislation, such as funding authorizations, relating to space activities.

This series contains general information on parks and monuments, as well as information pertaining to historic preservation, National Historic Sites and National Historic Landmarks.

This series contains information and correspondence pertaining to federally managed cemeteries, such as Arlington National Cemetery and cemeteries operated by the Veterans Administration. Also included in this subcategory are requests to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, information on the maintenance of Veterans Administration cemeteries and proposals for new national and Veterans Administration cemetery sites.

This series contains information pertaining to proposals for new monuments and memorials, additions to existing monuments and memorials, maintenance of monuments and memorials, and appropriations for monuments and memorials. Also included is information on the planning of the Korean Veterans Memorial and the Women Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as suggestions for other memorials to honor the nation's veterans from World War II and Desert Storm. Finally, there are documents in this category concerning various National Battlefield Parks.

This series contains basic information pertaining to National Historical Parks, the National Trails Systems and National Wildlife Refuges, as well as information on their funding, uses, acquisitions, access and expansion. It should be noted that although this category was designated to include information on reservations, there is almost no information on that topic in the files.

This series contains information concerning Peace in the Middle East, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the National Peace Garden Project in Washington, The Friendship Force, United Nations Special Session on Disarmament III, The International Peacekeeping Act of 1992, and “New World Order.” Most of the records in this category relate to World Peace.

This series contains correspondence, reports of programs affecting federal employees, aggregate personnel reports, speeches, and press releases regarding general personnel matters. Topics discussed include proposed executive orders affecting federal employees such as furloughs due to budget considerations, requests for political employment, and appeals for presidential support for various issues.

This series contains memoranda, correspondence, and reports from White House staff and executive branch personnel. Topics discussed include administration positions on proposed legislation about protection of whistleblowers and government liability for harm at certain workplaces, and an annual report regarding the status of safety and health in the federal workplace for the fiscal year 1988.

This series contains correspondence from a federal employee and a memorandum from Office of Management and Budget staff. The letter (1990) concerns the proposed forced furlough of government employees due to the inability to pass a budget. The memorandum and supporting materials discuss a proposed executive order to close government departments and agencies a half-day on December 24, 1992.

This series contains records pertaining to the general subject of political affairs. These records include correspondence and requests sent to and from the White House.