Date: Thu, 11 Aug 94 17:35:57 EST
From: Cole_Thomas@durenberger.senate.gov
Message-Id: <9407117766.AA776651757@smtpgwy.senate.gov>
To: fritchie@stolaf.edu
Subject: E-mail Archive Policy

     Thank you for you e-mail regarding the achieving of Internet electronic
mail.

     There exists no Senate policy for the achieving of Internet messages
received.  Senate rules treat mail, electronic or otherwise, as the personal
property of each Senator.  Mail received by a Senate Committee, however, is
treated as the property of the Senate.

     With that rule in mind, each senator establishes his or her own policy
regarding the archiving of mail received.  Some senators will have all mail
received via the US Postal Service microfilmed for historical or referral
reasons.  Others will store the actual letters at Federal achieve centers or in
designated Capitol Hill storage sites.  Some senators destroy their mail after
a certain time period.

     Senator Durenberger has been in office for well over 16 years.  Since that
time, his office has used each of the three methods listed above for the
treatment of incoming mail.

     As the end of the Senator's term in office approaches, all legislative,
political, and administrative files will be turned over the Minnesota
Historical Society.  Many offices follow a similar path with their own
repositories as they wind down operations.

     Senator Durenberger has decided, however, that items certain items sent to
him from constituents should be treated as private, rather than public,
material.  Material relating to specific casework matters performed for
constituents by Senator Durenberger's office will be destroyed as will most
constituent correspondence, including e-mails.  However, some correspondence
and comments will become part of the public record in recognition of its
historical significance.

     I hope this e-mail was of assistance to you.  Don't hesitate to contact me
should you have any further questions.

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Cole Thomas                   E-mail: cole_thomas@durenberger.senate.gov
Assistant Office Manager      Voice : (202) 224-3244
Senator Dave Durenberger      Fax   : (202) 224-9931
154 Russell Building          TDD   : (202) 224-9522
Washington, D.C. 20510   
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