Congressman Tom Lantos (CA-12) served in the United States Congress from 1981 until his passing in 2008. SONA recalls Congressman Lantos’ fierce defense of the National Archives at San Francisco in the late 1990s, when NARA administrators proposed closing the facility and consolidating archival holdings to other locations.

“… (I) would fight like a tiger … if the Archives Administration ultimately decided to move valuable documents or substantially scale down or close the San Bruno [Archives] Center.”

“[The National Archives facility in San Bruno] has enormous emotional relevance to everyone in our community … closing the [Leo J. Ryan Federal Records Center] or moving valuable documents aren’t negotiable items.”

In May 2012, SONA members were honored to speak at the dedication of the Tom Lantos Research Center at National Archives at San Francisco.

Sources:

Doyle, Katherine. “A-Files Opening Ceremony and Dedication of the Tom Lantos Research Center.” California Genealogical Society Blog, 22 May 2012, https://www.californiaancestors.org/a-files-opening-ceremony-and-dedication-of-the-tom-lantos-research-center/.

Wong, William. “Leave Archives in San Bruno.” San Francisco Examiner, 2 July 1998, page A-23. Op-ed.

Wong, William. “National Archives Are Staying in San Bruno.” San Francisco Examiner, 27 June 1998, page A7.