January 29, 2010 - On Wednesday, January 13, the National Archives & Records Administration held a swearing in ceremony in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom for the tenth Archivist of the United States.  Associate Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court administered the oath where the new archivist, David Ferriero, agreed to "well and faithfully discharge the duties" of the office.

 

During his remarks, Ferriero thanked his friends and colleagues and acknowledged the work of the NARA staff and the Foundation for the National Archives.  He then commented on what he has learned in his first sixty days.  He spoke about the history of the Archives and its mission, progress with declassification and open government efforts, grant-making activities of the National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC), a new NARA facility in St. Louis, the depth and breadth of holdings, and other topics.  

 

A video of the ceremony (including remarks by Associate Justice Breyer), and a copy of the Archivist's remarks, are available here.