Politics

Retirement of House Historian, Search Committee Formed

By Karina

Today, Speaker Pelosi announced that Dr. Robert V. Remini, the House Historian, has chosen to retire from the post on August 31st. Dr. Remini has served as Historian for the past five years, having reestablished the office in 2005. The Historian’s Office seeks to improve public knowledge and understanding of the ‘People’s House.’ Speaker Pelosi on Dr. Remini:

Dr. Remini has been a tremendous asset to the House of Representatives. It has been an honor to have so distinguished an historian serving the House for the past five years. He has worked diligently to initiate the House Fellows Program and an oral history program for current and former Members. On behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank Dr. Remini for his service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

A search committee charged to advise in the selection of the next House Historian has been formed, in consultation with Republican Leader Boehner, with Dr. Brown chairing the committee:

Dr. Richard D. Brown, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of History, Emeritus, University of Connecticut

Dr. Allen C. Guelzo, Director, Civil War Era Studies, Gettysburg College

Dr. Trudy Peterson, Former Acting Archivist of the United States

Dr. Donald Spivey, Professor of History and Cooper Fellow, University of Miami

Dr. Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of History and Public Affairs, Princeton University

Learn more about the Office of the Historian»

Learn more about the art, artifacts, and architecture of the House from the Clerk’s office and get other historical news, such as weekly historical highlights like these:

One of the first efforts by the House of Representatives to preserve its records
June 06, 1900
The House of Representatives took its first step toward the long term preservation of its records, by providing funding for document storage in a general appropriations bill.

An enormous American flag arrived at the Capitol
June 09, 1929
On this late Sunday afternoon, an enormous American flag arrived at the Capitol and was draped across the central facade of the West Front as a backdrop to a Vespers Flag Service.

The contested election between Alphonse Roy and incumbent Arthur B. Jenks of New Hampshire
June 10, 1938
The House seated Representative Alphonse Roy of New Hampshire after he successfully contested the election of three-term incumbent Congressman Arthur B. Jenks.

An appropriations bill prohibiting gender discrimination
June 11, 1870
On this date, the House narrowly passed an amendment to an appropriations bill prohibiting gender discrimination in the compensation of clerks hired by the federal government.

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 11, 2010 (boomark / email).