(2008-0361-F) Presidential Gifts

The materials in FOIA 2008-0361-F are a comprehensive, yet not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. This FOIA request was for all gifts to President Clinton between August 19 and August 26, 1996. This coincided with a trip that the President took to Wyoming. During these eight days the Gift Office recorded 124 gifts for the President. On the 20th of August the President received no gifts. The Gift Office is organized as a part of the Office of the White House and the director of the Gift Office reports to the Staff Secretary. During the period in question, Dan Burkhardt was Director of the Gifts Office. Gifts received by the President, First Lady, Chelsea, or any staff member on official business were recorded by the Gift Office. The President of the United States of America, not surprisingly, receives the largest number of gifts from a wide variety of people. When a gift was received, the Gift Office completed what it called a “green sheet.” The gift record contained the following information: date presented, arrival date, entered date, and gift id. These records also included donor information, to whom the present was given, the approximate value of the gift, the location of storage, and final disposition of the gift.