When we want to advocate at the national level for historical institutions and what our community does, it helps if our Congressional representatives are already aware of the value of history. Many Members of Congress love history, but haven’t made time for it in their busy schedules. Here’s an opportunity to remind them.
Call or email your representative this month with this simple message: “Please call Congressman John Larson’s office at (202) 225-2265 or Congressman Tom Cole’s office at (202) 225-6165 and join the Congressional History Caucus today.”
If we want to Congress to be responsive to the historical community, we must build relationships before they are needed. That is what the National Coalition for History, of which AASLH is a member, is trying to do. Over the past two years, NCH has worked with Congressmen John Larson (D-CT), Tom Cole (R-OK), Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) to create this History Caucus in the House of Representatives. On March 25th, they circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter inviting other representatives to join. Today there are sixteen members, but we need more.
The History Caucus is a forum for members of Congress to share their interest in history and to promote an awareness of the subject on Capitol Hill. It is important for the historical community to build lasting relationships between Members of Congress and historians, archivists, teachers, students, genealogists, researchers, and other stakeholders in their respective districts. The History Caucus will increase our visibility and provide a network of supporters in Congress that we can reach out to when issues arise. Click here for full details about the caucus.
Please call or email you Member of Congress today. And while you’re at it, you can turn them onto the Value of History statement by the History Relevance Campaign, which articulates how history is essential to individuals, communities, and our future!
