Washington, DC – Congressman Charles Rangel announced his strong support for President Obama's memorandum released today, November 28, 2011, directing government agencies to move to a digital-based record keeping system. The move is expected to save taxpayers money and improve government accountability.

"I am pleased to see President Obama take measures to digitize our government's most important documents. This is the biggest step to improving the management of federal records since the 1950's. Now we will be able to count on the efficiency and transparency of electronic record keeping," Rangel stated.

The Presidential Memorandum initiates a comprehensive assessment of agency systems for collecting, maintaining, and preserving the records that document the operation of our government.  It calls for reports within the next 120 days, by each agency head, describing current plans for improving records management programs.

The reports will be followed by a Records Management Directive that will identify specific steps agencies must take to reform records management policies and practices to make them more cost-effective and accessible to the public.

"This is really going to save our taxpayers a lot of money. With the challenges of finding a solution to our budget crisis and reducing the deficit, this is a much needed step in the right direction," added Rangel.

To access the President's Memorandum, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/28/presidential-memorandum-managing-government-records.