Purpose, Justification for the Nixon Library

The sarcastic letter by Ray Kovitz (Dec. 11) about the Nixon Library illustrates complete ignorance as to the purpose and justification for the library.

Regardless of one’s political views, the purpose of the presidential libraries is to preserve the records of presidents, to make them open to scholars so we may better understand both our national successes and failures, and thereby hopefully not repeat our mistakes.

I hope before this century ends that Congress will see fit to release all presidential records of Richard M. Nixon’s to the library so that everything that represents the man is in one place.

And when you are president, Mr. Kovitz, I’ll support a library record of your administration as well.

LAURA DIETZ

Newport Beach