The Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) supports the Hart Island Project in its effort to provide visibility and access to the New York City public cemetery on Hart’s Island. In particular, ART agrees that the Department of Corrections should make their electronic database of people buried at Hart’s Island since 1977 available on its website, and will submit written testimony in favor of open records at the upcoming New York City Council Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services hearing on Thursday, September 27, 2012.

The New York City Council Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services will hold a hearing on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 1pm in the 14th floor Committee Room at 250 Broadway, in Manhattan, on the following two bills:

Int. No. 803

By Council Members Crowley, Oddo, Vacca, Lander, Cabrera, Dromm, Eugene, Ferreras, Foster, James, Koo, Koppell, Koslowitz, Levin, Palma, Rose, Williams, Wills, Weprin, Mendez, Mark-Viverito and Halloran.

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Correction to make its electronic database of people buried at Hart’s Island, since 1977, available on its website.

 Int. No. 804

By Council Members Crowley, Oddo, Vacca, Lander, Brewer, Cabrera, Dromm, Eugene, Foster, Jackson, James, Koo, Koppell, Koslowitz, Levin, Palma, Rose, Wills, Mendez, Mark-Viverito and Halloran.

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Correction to put its Hart’s Island visitation policy in writing, post it on its website, and make it available to anyone who requests a copy.

Hearings are open to the public. Interested ART members are encouraged to attend. If you wish to testify, please contact hearings@council.nyc.ny.us

If you would like to receive copies of these bills or advanced copies of testimony, please contact:

Melinda Hunt
Director of The Hart Island Project
Email: hartisland@aol.com

More information about The Hart Island Project is available via the Current Actions section of the Advocacy Committee website.