MS 24 - Robert P. Hanrahan Congressional Papers

Title	MS 24 - Robert P. Hanrahan Congressional Papers
Introduction	The Robert Hanrahan Papers consist of materials relating to the political career of Hanrahan as Republican Congressional Representative from the Illinois 3rd District. The materials are divided by record group and chronologically within the record groups when possible. The Papers date inclusively from 1969 to 1974 and include correspondence, legislative and case files, bills, and photographs. The Hanrahan Papers were donated to the Center for Archival Collections by Robert P. Hanrahan, on December 11, 1974. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. Duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and research. The collection was processed and register prepared at Bowling Green State University by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts.
Biographical Sketch	Robert Hanrahan was the Republican Congressional Representative from the Illinois 3rd District of extreme northeast Illinois, including the City of Calumet, serving one term from 1972-1974. A graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Master of Education Degree in 1959, Hanrahan followed a career in education in northeast Illinois, attaining the position of Cook County Superintendent of Schools in 1966. In 1971 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Pedagogy Degree from Bowling Green State University. He was elected to Congress in November 1972, serving on the Public Works, and Government Operations Committees.
Scope and Content	The Robert Hanrahan Papers span the years 1969 to 1974. The largest portion of the collection are the Congressional Papers from his term in the House of Representatives from 1972-1974. Organized in sections from his Illinois Office, Oak Lawn District Office, and his Washington Office, the largest component of the papers is Hanrahan's correspondence with his constituents. Letters are found in the Alpha Index section by name of correspondent, with copies of the same items also filed in sections relating to the topic of the correspondence. These topical groups provide position statements of Hanrahan's views on issues and legislation (such as abortion, the energy crisis, Watergate and impeachment). The collection also includes files of the House Bills authored by Hanrahan during his term, including background literature and correspondence. Some of the Hanrahan Bills cover topics of transportation, veterans affairs, energy, election reform, health research, and education. Case files in the Papers encompass the variety of activities undertaken by members of Congress, such as Academy appointments, providing information on request relating to government agencies and operations, and serving as an intermediary between constituents and the government. One case file of particular interest involves Hanrahan's concern with the Simas Kudirka Affair. Kudirka was a Lithuanian seaman who jumped ship from a Soviet Trawler in 1970, only to be returned to the Soviets by the U.S. Coast Guard. He was then imprisoned for 10 years on a charge of treason. During Hanrahan's term, Kudirka was released. It was discovered that his mother had been born in the U.S., thus qualifying Kudirka for citizenship. Hanrahan's activities in support of the seaman made the Congressman popular with the ethnic Lithuanian Community in the U.S.
Series Description	ILLINOIS OFFICE - See Inventory SUBJECT/CASE FILES GENERAL SUBJECT FILES Boxes 1-2, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically and by year The General Subjects Files are listed alphabetically and then broken down by the year in which the subject occurred. They include constituent relations files, questionnaries, and correspondence/topical files, including local reaction to the Simas Kudirka incident. AGENCY FILES Boxes 2-3, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically by Agency, including correspondence related to information on local projects and cases of the EPA, HEW, HUD, and other agencies OAK LAWN DISTRICT OFFICE - See Inventory SUBJECT/CASE FILES GENERAL SUBJECT FILES Boxes 3-4, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically and by year The General Subjects Files are listed alphabetically and then broken down by the year in which the subject occurred. They include constituent relations files, questionnaries, and correspondence/topical files AGENCY FILES Box 4, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically by Agency Correspondence related to information on local projects and cases of the EPA, HEW, HUD, and other agencies LEGISLATIVE FILES Box 4, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically by topic Information and local correspondence related to pending legislation and issues of concern to constituents WASHINGTON OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE - See Inventory ALPHA INDEX (BLUES & YELLOWS) Boxes 5-7, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically and alphabetically Carbon copies of all replies to Congressman Hanrahan's correspondence; listed according to the year in which the letter was written and in alphabetical order of the correspondent's name. In the upper right hand corner is the subject heading under which the correspondent's letter is filed. For example, if the correspondent wrote a social security issue, the yellow copy of Hanrahan's response will direct the researcher to "Legislative Files/Social Security" where the original letter from the correspondent may be found CORRESPONDENCE - GENERAL FILES Boxes 8-10, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically, then alphabetically. A collection of correspondence from constituents with Congressman Hanrahan's reply attached. The General files include general subject headings such as congratulatory letters, general requests, questionnaires, etc. CORRESPONDENCE - EXECUTIVE/DEPARTMENTAL FILES. Boxes 10-11, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically, then chronologically A collection of correspondence with Congressman Hanrahan's reply attached. The researcher should also look through the Legislative as well as General files because many subjects are cross referenced. For example, issues related to Agriculture may be found in the Departmental files as well as Legislative and General files. The researcher should always keep in mind that these files, though artificially separated into different sections, contain similar material. CORRESPONDENCE - ENGAGEMENTS & REQUESTS Boxes 12, 1973-1974 Correspondence related to speaking and social engagements, with "regrets" and "accepted" in separated groupings CORRESPONDENCE - LEGISLATIVE FILES. Boxes 13-14, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically, then alphabetically The Legislative files are a collection of correspondence with Congressman Hanrahan's response. The Legislative files, contain letters concerning issues relevant to legislation before the House that may or may not have evolved into a bill. For example, these files contain issues such as the Abortion Amendment, Social Security laws and issues, Civil Service, Poverty bills, the Vietnam war (letters for and against), etc. The researcher should note as well that the heading "Miscellaneous" contains letters which may or may not relate to specific headings within the year. If a particular letter cannot be found under a subject heading, it may be found in the Miscellaneous file. Miscellaneous, though meant to be a "catchall," may also contain misfiled letters that should really belong elsewhere CORRESPONDENCE - ISSUES Boxes 14-20, 1973-1974 Arranged topically and chronologically Correspondence with constituents on issues, legislation, and general topics, including the original letter and a carbon of Hanrahan's reply CORRESPONDENCE - CASE/SUBJECT FILES Boxes 21-23, 1973-1974 Arranged topically and chronologically Correspondence with constituents on problems, requests, or resolving issues; including immigration, naturalization, military cases, Social Security, visas, and the Simas Kudirka case. Includes original letter and a carbon of Hanrahan's reply SUBJECT FILES - See Inventory BILLS, 93rd CONGRESS Boxes 1973-1974, Boxes 24-26 Arranged chronologically or by bill number Copies of various House, Senate and Joint Resolutions in which Hanrahan was involved or had an interest FLOOR FILES Boxes 26-28, 1974 Arranged chronologically or by bill number/name Correspondence, publications, memos, reference material, and schedules related to legislation under discussion on the Floor of the House ROLL CALL CLIPPING BOOKS Boxes 28-29, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically Published summaries of recorded votes in the House by each member, with Hanrahan's name underlined QUESTIONNAIRES Boxes 29-30, Spring 1974 Arranged by location Response forms to an issues/interests survey conducted by Hanrahan, including such issues as the energy crisis, wage/price controls, the environment, and Watergate COMMITTEE SUBJECT FILES Boxes 30-32, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically Topical files related to activities of Congressional Committees in which Hanrahan had membership or an active interest, including Government Operations, Energy, Public Works and Transporation GENERAL SUBJECT FILES Boxes 32-33, 1973-1974 Arranged by topic Background material including printed reports, literature, and copies of bills related to general subjects such as abortion, energy, amnesty, education, and housing POSITION FILES Boxes 34-35, 1973-1974 Arranged by topic Reports, articles, speeches, and clippings related to Hanrahan's position on a variety of issues, such as inflation, welfare, energy issues, and Watergate EMPLOYEE FILES Box 35, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically Confidential employee files, restricted access MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECT FILES Box 36, 1974 Arranged by topic or bill number Files with information related to specific bills MEDIA FILES - See Inventory MEDIA FILES Box 36-38, 1973-1974 Arranged topically or chronologically Compiled material summarizing Hanrahan's bills, and collecting sample correspondence from constituents PRESS RELEASES & EXTENSION OF REMARKS Boxes 36-38, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically Official press releases on a range of topics, as well as printed notes of extensions to remarks made in the House during debate on various bills as well as insertions into the Congressional Record MEDIA CLIPPINGS FILES Boxes 36-38, 1973-1974 Arranged topically Newsclippings and newsletter material, also constituent response forms SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS SCRAPBOOKS Oversize boxes 41-42, 1972-1974 Arranged chronologically Scrapbook originals and photocopies of newsclippings related to Hanrahan's campaigns and career, including one scrapbook related to when he was Cook County Superintendent of Schools PRINTED MATERIAL RECORD VOTE ANALYSIS VOLUMES Box 40, 1973-1974 Published statistics on roll-call votes. Wrapped PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Box 39, 1973-1974 Arranged alphabetically Public relations photos of Hanrahan with various officials, individuals, groups, and events PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES Box 39, 1973-1974 Arranged chronologically Public relations photos of visitors to Hanrahan in Washington, primarily unidentified individuals and groups MOVIE FILM Box 39-40, 1973, n.d. 16mm news film of Hanrahan's Swearing-In ceremony, and a Public Service Announcement spot for a Heroin Hotline AUDIO MATERIALS AUDIOTAPES Box 39-40, n.d. Cassettes and open-reel tapes of Hanrahan on radio shows with various government officials, and unidentified tapes ARTIFACTS PLAQUES Oversize box 42, 1968-1972 Commemorative plaques honoring Hanrahan as Community Leader of America (1968), as a Charter Member of the Public Adult & Continuing Educators Association of Illinois (1969), and welcoming him to Washington (1972)
Inventory	Inventory Divisions Illinois Office & Oak Lawn District Office Washington Office--Correspondence Washington Office--Subject Files Washington Office--Press Releases & Media Files