[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 211 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65016-65017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27901]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION


Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The public is invited to comment on National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA) programs and activities available to 
persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) and steps that the 
agency could take to ensure that persons with LEP have meaningful 
access to NARA services. NARA will use the information gathered from 
this notice and other outreach efforts to develop a plan to improve 
access to its programs and activities by eligible LEP persons.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before November 30, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Comments on Services for Persons 
with Limited English Proficiency, Attn: Diane Dimkoff (NWCC), Room 
2400, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Rd, 
College Park, MD 20740-6001; faxed to 301-713-7482; or electronically 
mailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Diane Dimkoff at telephone number 301-713-6107, 
or fax number 301-713-7482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 11, 2000, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13166, 
entitled ``Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited 
English Proficiency.'' 65 FR 50119 (August 16, 2000). The Executive 
Order directs each Federal agency to examine the services it provides 
to persons who, as a result of national origin, are limited in their 
English proficiency. Agencies must then develop a plan and implement 
measures that will enable persons with LEP to have meaningful access to 
the agency's programs and activities, consistent with the fundamental 
mission of the agency. NARA will submit its LEP plan to the Department 
of Justice for review and approval by December 11, 2000.
    As part of this process, NARA is consulting its stakeholders for 
input on the needs of persons with LEP. NARA is requesting comment from 
persons with LEP, their representative organizations, as well as grant 
applicants and recipients, and any other individuals or entities that 
make use of NARA programs, facilities, activities and financial 
opportunities.

NARA's Programs and Activities

    NARA establishes policies and procedures for managing U.S. 
Government records and assists Federal agencies in documenting their 
activities and administering records management programs. NARA 
preserves and provides access to the essential documentation of the 
three branches of Government through a nationwide system of archival 
facilities, records storage facilities, and Presidential Libraries. 
NARA operates research rooms, answers written and oral requests for 
information on its holdings, provides copies of records, offers public 
programs and exhibits, and makes information available on its web site 
at http://www.nara.gov. The National Historical Publications and 
Records Commission (NHPRC), a statutory body affiliated with NARA, 
makes grants nationwide to help nonprofit and educational organizations 
identify, preserve, and provide access to materials that document 
American history. NARA also publishes Federal laws and regulations, and 
Presidential and other public documents. It also

[[Page 65017]]

manages Federal classification and declassification policies.

Ensuring Meaningful Access to Persons With Limited English 
Proficiency

    NARA will use the information gathered from this notice and other 
outreach activities to evaluate its services and develop a plan to 
ensure that eligible persons with LEP have meaningful access to NARA's 
programs and activities, including NHPRC grants. NARA will assess the 
language needs of its customers, develop a comprehensive written policy 
on language access, increase awareness of language needs in staff 
training and customer service, and regularly monitor and assess the 
language needs of customers and the effectiveness of NARA's language 
assistance program. NARA will provide its LEP customers with access to 
NARA's programs and activities in a way that is practical, effective, 
fiscally responsible, and capable of being readily implemented.

    Dated: October 25, 2000.
John W. Carlin,
Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 00-27901 Filed 10-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-U