Forwarded on behalf of Indiana Genealogical Society.
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-- Kathleen
_________________________________
~~~ Kathleen's Korner ~~~
Administration(a)KathleensKorner.net
~*~ "Take a Stand & Make a Mark!" ~*~
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----- Original Message -----
From: Darburns(a)aol.com
To: INMARSHA-admin(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 12:21 PM
Subject: Letter From IGS President Betty Warren, HB 1540
Betty Warren, President of the Indiana Genealogical Society, addressed
members of the IGS Board and friends in her email below. I received
permission from her to send her email to genealogists and friends. We are
asking you to please write your representative in the state of Indiana
and/or attend Wednesday's session concerning HB 1540 at the State House in
Indianapolis. For more information go to the IGS web site at
http://www.indgensoc.org/HB1540.html to learn more.
And a special thank you to all the Indiana mail list administrators for your
support in sending emails to your mail lists concerning HB 1540!
Darlene Anderson
IGS East Central IN District Director
Dear friends of genealogy and IGS board members,
If you would take some time to check out the IGS website
(
www.IndGenSoc.org), you will see that Meredith (thank you for fast action!)
has posted the amendment digest proposed Wednesday February 5th to *satisfy*
the needs of genealogists in relation to the closing of public access to the
IN county birth (100 years) and death records (75 years). If you have not
seen the bill yet, please, do read it.
I gave my testimony in the House of Representatives Chamber on Wednesday in
opposition to this bill and the amendment. Even though the use of the word
genealogist in the amendment looks good, I strongly believe that without
specific legal language that gives a definition and description of
genealogist, there would be no access because of misinterpretation and
misuse. The fact that they offered the amendment is a good sign that dialog
is open, as we petitioned for in the IGS resolution. I, personally, am
still opposed at this time.
The bill has been held over in committee, a small victory for the day!
However, it is scheduled to be heard again on Wednesday, February 12th at
10:30 in the House Chamber. It is a large room, but I would like to see as
many of you there as humanly possible. You would not have to get up in
front and testify (except you, Curt!). But, if we can fill that room (and
the balcony, too would be nice), it would be a wonderful show of support.
There is the possibility that they will put it off to another day, so do
check the Sunday paper for the list of bills to be heard that week and we
will keep in touch with Meredith to keep the website current. There is also
the possibility that they would wait until the day of to cancel, which we
cannot foresee. But, showing up would still send a very powerful message.
Please continue with your email messages to the committee in regard to the
amendment. They are being noted! Also, take the time to write a letter, if
you can. Please do not use form letters or xerox copies; that would also be
noted. Legible handwritten notes get the most notice, I am told.
Wilma, please especially thank your local Representative Andrew Thomas for
his support. Unfortunately, he is not on the committee, but he is a
genealogist! And, he took the time to attend the hearing (even though he
was not feeling well) and help support us.
Nancy Hurley of the IGS Legislative Committee, myself and Curt will be
preparing information for testimony; we will keep you posted of events as
soon as we can. If you can help with the information we are gathering,
please contact Nancy. Find her email on the IGS website or in the list
above.
And, please, mark your calendar to attend the hearing on Wednesday! Parking
will be difficult downtown, as most of the garages are used by the
legislators and *restricted from public access* :>) There is not much
available on the street either. The old bus station garage at Ohio and
Capitol is open. If you plan to stop in at the History Center later in the
day, use the IHS lot off of New York. Car pool, if that helps. I will be
coming from work that morning.
Thank you for your continued support. Maybe we can stop this in committee!
At the very least, we can let our voices be heard!
Betty