U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
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Agency overview | |
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Formed | August 8, 1985 |
Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Agency executive |
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Website | www |
The U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad is an independent agency of the Government of the United States of America. It was established by Pub. L. 99–83. The law directs the Commission to identify and report on cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that are associated with the heritage of U.S. citizens, particularly endangered properties. The law also directs the Commission to obtain, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, assurances from the governments of the region that the properties will be protected and preserved.
In addition to the types of sites specified in the law, the Commission also seeks the preservation of similar types of properties, including related archival material. It, additionally, encourages and facilitates private and foreign government restoration and preservation projects.
The establishment of the Commission recognized that the population of the United States is mostly immigrants and their descendants. Because it is, the United States has an interest in the preservation of sites in other countries. These sites are an important part of the cultural heritage of many Americans.
The Holocaust annihilated much of Europe's Jewish population, killing most Jews and forcing the survivors to flee. In many countries, none were left to continue to care for the communal properties that represented a historic culture in the area and constitute an integral part of Judaism. (Burial places are sacred in Judaism.)
The destruction, desecration, and deterioration of properties under the Nazis persisted under subsequent Communist regimes. Additionally, Cold War tensions hindered access by Americans who wanted to ensure preservation of the sites.
Many properties continue to be endangered. Governments and communities in the region face fundamental and competing challenges. Some Jewish sites have also been affected by a resurgence of anti-Semitism.
The Commission consists of 21 members appointed by the President. Of these, seven are appointed in consultation with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and seven are appointed in consultation with the President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate. The Members are appointed for three-year terms, although they continue to serve until they are replaced. They are not paid for their service.
One Member is designated by the President to chair the Commission. January 2022 President Joe Biden appointed Star Jones to chair the Commission.[1] Former chairs include Lesley Weiss, Warren L. Miller, Michael Lewan, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Israel Rubin, and Betty Heitman.
Activities
[edit]The Commission cooperates with Kazakhstan in the sphere of preservation of cultural heritage. "The Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kazakh Culture and Sports Ministry in October 2018 to strengthen cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United States."[2]
Controversies
[edit]Conflict of interest issue
[edit]In September 2015, news articles began to question whether a consultant who had assisted the Commission on a part-time basis for many years with the nominal title of executive director in the past had a conflict of interest because he had previously lobbied the federal government for Puerto Rico and Palau.[3][4][5][6] In November, the Office of Special Counsel raised issues regarding the Commission’s historic use of contractors, including in its hiring of the firm for which Farrow worked, paying it from $80,000 to just over $100,000 a year.[7] The Commission noted that it never had an actual executive director because of funding limitations and it had discussed the contracting and Farrow’s role with a range of Federal authorities. It also rejected the suggestion of a conflict of interest because Farrow’s lobbying was totally unrelated to the Commission’s jurisdiction and pointed out that it had previously sought funding for hiring government employees and flexibility in contracting, both of which it subsequently obtained.[8][9]
Trump appointment of alleged white supremacist
[edit]On November 18, 2020, President Donald Trump named Darren Beattie to the commission. He had previously been fired as a White House speechwriter due to alleged white supremacist ties.[10][11] Numerous organizations, including those representing the Jewish community, objected to the appointment.[12][13]
Notes and references
[edit]- ^ "President Joe Biden Selects Star Jones to Lead Heritage Board". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. 2022-01-15. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ "Kazakhstan and the US sign memo on preservation of cultural heritage". kazinform.
- ^ Lipton, Eric (September 14, 2015). "The Lobbyist With a Six-Figure Government Job". New York Times. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
- ^ Debenedetti, Gabriel (1 July 2015). "Emails show Hillary Clinton exchanges with foreign lobbyist". Politico. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
The lobbyist, Jeffrey Farrow, emailed Clinton in 2009 about the American relationship with Palau.
- ^ Kampeas, Ron (21 September 2015). "D.C. Scandal Reveals Politics Behind European Jewish Memorials". Haaretz. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
That lobbyist is Jeffrey Farrow, the heritage commission's part-time executive director.
- ^ Itkowitz, Colby (17 September 2015). "Small government agency defends paying lobbyist six-figure salary". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ Lipton, Eric (24 November 2015). "U.S. Inquiry Finds Agency Chief Violated Rules". New York Times. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ "Interim Commission Response to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs" (PDF). 16 September 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ "Final Commission Response to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs" (PDF). 30 September 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ Tom McKay (18 November 2020). "Trump Admin Taps Ex-Aide Fired for Ties to Far Right for Commission That Preserves Holocaust Memorials". Gizmodo. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Christopher Mathias (19 November 2020). "Trump Has Appointed 2 White Nationalists To Government Roles Since Losing The Election". HuffPost. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Maggie Haberman (19 November 2020). "Jewish Group Denounces White House Pick for Preservation Commission". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Joseph Choi (19 November 2020). "Anti-Defamation League criticizes White House appointee 'who has consorted with racists'". The Hill. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- 1). http://www.heritageabroad.gov
- 2). http://www.rickshaw.org/commission.html
- 3). http://jta.org/news/article/2009/11/12/1009143/president-obama-appoints-jewish-preservation-advocate-to-key-administration-post
- 4). http://jta.org/news/article/2009/05/18/1005207/op-ed-europeans-still-need-holocaust-lessons