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United States. Congress. Senate Political campaigns--Oregon
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Oral history interview with Mark O. Hatfield

This oral history interview with Mark O. Hatfield was conducted by Clark Hansen in Hatfield's office in Portland, Oregon, from July 29, 1998, to May 22, 2002. The interview was conducted in 33 sessions and the collection includes a transcript. Some sections of the interview have been redacted by Hatfield.

In sessions 1 through 4, Hatfield discusses his family background and early life in Dallas and Salem, Oregon. He talks about his experiences at Willamette University, his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and about his experiences at Stanford University after the war.

In sessions 5 through 8, he discusses current events at the time of the interview in 1998, and talks about his personal and political philosophy.

In sessions 9 through 14, he discusses his time serving in the Oregon Legislature as a representative from Marion County from 1951 to 1955, and talks about his involvement in Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1952 presidential campaign. He also speaks at length about his Christian faith and personal philosophy.

In session 15, he discusses his time serving in the Oregon Legislature; anti-communist sentiment in the 1950s; and his campaign for the Oregon State Senate in 1954.

In sessions 16 through 19, he discusses his service as a state senator from Marion County from 1955 to 1957, and as Oregon secretary of state from 1957 to 1959, including his 1956 campaign.

In the bulk of sessions 20 through 28, he discusses his service as Oregon governor from 1959 to 1967, including appointments he made and his international travels; in session 21, he speaks about his marriage to Antoinette Kuzmanich and about her background.

In sessions 29 through 33, he discusses his opposition to the Vietnam War. He talks about serving in the U.S. Senate from 1967 to 1997, including his 1967 campaign.

Hatfield, Mark O., 1922-2011

Oral history interview with Jim Towey

This oral history interview with Jim Towey was conducted by Jim Strassmaier on June 2, 1988. In this interview, Towey discusses his family background and early life in Jacksonville, Florida, including his Catholic upbringing. He talks about studying law at Florida State University, including working summer jobs and playing basketball. He then discusses his decision to forgo the practice of law and instead follow a spiritual calling to Washington, D.C. He describes how he came to be part of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield's staff in 1982; his duties as a legislative assistant and later legislative director; and some of the other members of the senator's staff. Towey relates a few anecdotes regarding Hatfield's personality and spirituality. Using abortion legislation as an example, he describes the way the staff would engage with Hatfield on specific legislation and how the senator made decisions. He also describes working on improving conditions for refugees and the abuses he witnessed, as well as his feelings on President Ronald Reagan's agenda in general. Towey speaks at length about a real estate scandal during Hatfield's 1984 re-election campaign and how they dealt with it. He closes the interview by discussing Hatfield's spiritual life.

Towey, Jim

Oral history interview with Jack Robertson

This oral history interview with Jack Robertson was conducted by Clark Hansen in Robertson's office at the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Oregon, from November 7 to December 30, 1988. In this interview, Robertson discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including the evolution of his political beliefs. He then talks about attending Stanford University, including studying abroad in Austria. He focuses particularly on student protests against the Vietnam War.

Robertson talks about joining U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield's staff in 1973, after he worked as a volunteer for Hatfield's 1972 re-election campaign. He describes Hatfield's campaign against Wayne Morse. He then talks about his duties as a legislative aide, and later press secretary, from 1973 to 1982, including speechwriting, research, and correspondence. He discusses Hatfield's relationship with other Oregon Republican politicians, including Tom McCall and Bob Packwood. He speaks at length about other members of Hatfield's staff and how Hatfield interacted with them. He also discusses speeches that he wrote for Hatfield, including some on topics such as the Middle East and refugees. He also talks about Hatfield's early use of computers in his office; some of Hatfield's legislative victories in the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Hatfield's personality. Robertson talks about working on legislation to freeze the creation of nuclear weapons. He speaks at length about the procedures of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He discusses Hatfield's relationship with the Republican Party; other senators and political figures; the presidential administrations of Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan; and the press. He also talks about a real estate scandal that affected Hatfield in 1984. He speaks at length about how Hatfield's personal morality influenced his votes on legislation, particularly regarding weapons and war. He describes the Northwest Power Planning Act, as well as Hatfield's views on nuclear power; the debate about funding for a neutron bomb; and Hatfield's foreign policy stances, particularly regarding Israel, Iran, and Panama. He also describes Hatfield's and his staff's reactions to Watergate; Hatfield's visit with Mother Theresa; Hatfield's efforts to locate soldiers missing in action in Vietnam; and chemical weapons in Oregon. He discusses Hatfield's stance on free trade, local government, and environmental issues. Robertson talks about how the Senate and Hatfield changed over the years. He closes the interview by discussing Hatfield's legacy, his own reasons for leaving Hatfield's staff, and his activities since then.

Robertson, Jack (John Strait), 1949-

Oral history interview with Sam H. Mallicoat

This oral history interview with Sam H. Mallicoat was conducted by Clark Hansen at Mallicoat's home in Tigard, Oregon, from May 23-27, 1988. In this interview, Mallicoat discusses his family background and early life in rural Oregon. He talks about his early career as an educator in Oregon, his naval service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and starting a family. He then talks about meeting Mark Hatfield while in law school and about returning to the U.S. Navy in order to teach at the naval training center in Portland, Oregon, in 1948. He talks about beginning to work in Oregon politics after leaving the Navy in 1955 to become a lobbyist for the Oregon Railroad Association. He also discusses Mark Hatfield's political career during this time. He then discusses serving as the director of planning and development for the state of Oregon from 1961 to 1967, while Hatfield was governor of Oregon. He focuses particularly on his interactions with Hatfield's staff, and on working with U.S. Senator Wayne Morse to bring Boeing to Boardman, Oregon. He also talks about Hatfield's relationship to his constituents and industries while governor, as well as Hatfield's opposition to the Vietnam War.

Mallicoat talks about Hatfield's election to the U.S. Senate in 1966 and how he subsequently became Hatfield's chief of staff. He talks about the other members of Hatfield's staff, Hatfield's committee assignments, and his continued opposition to the Vietnam War. He talks about Hatfield's role in the 1968 Republican convention, as well as Hatfield's relationship to the Republican Party, particularly with Tom McCall. He also discusses hate mail and death threats that Hatfield received, legislation Hatfield was involved with, and Hatfield's relationship with other senators. He talks about Hatfield's financial situation; leaving Hatfield's staff in 1973 to return to Oregon; and the changes made in Hatfield's staff by his successor, Gerry Frank. He closes the interview by talking about fundraising, Hatfield's closest advisors, particularly Frank, and his own continued relationship with Hatfield.

Mallicoat, S. H., 1915-2010

Oral history interview with Maurine B. Neuberger

This oral history interview with Maurine B. Neuberger was conducted by Clark Hansen from August 26 to December 12, 1991. The interview was conducted over eight sessions. The first session was conducted at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, while the rest were conducted at Neuberger's home in Portland.

In the first session, conducted on August 26, 1991, Neuberger discusses her family background and early life in Wilsonville, Oregon, including working on her grandparents' Salem farm, her education, and her memories of World War I. She talks about her experience at Monmouth College (now Western Oregon University), and then at the University of Oregon. She talks about teaching high school after graduating in 1929. She shares her memories of the Depression, her excitement at the election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and living in Portland. She also talks about teaching in Providence, Rhode Island, for a year, and discusses a trip to Japan and China in 1940 and a trip to Europe in the 1930s. She discusses her involvement in the teachers' union, her summer activities, and meeting Dick Neuberger.

In the second interview session, conducted on August 30, 1991, Neuberger continues discussing her husband, Dick Neuberger, including his expulsion from Oregon State University and some of his early political beliefs. She also talks about their marriage, Dick Neuberger's early political career, and the development of the Oregon Democratic Party in the 1940s and 1950s. Neuberger then discusses her service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1951 to 1955, including her campaign, her focus on civil rights and education, and her committee assignments. She also talks about the urban/rural divide in the Legislature and the state Legislature's relationship with the Oregon federal delegation.

In the third interview session, conducted on September 6, 1991, Neuberger continues discussing her service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1951 to 1955. She talks about legislation she worked on, particularly regarding billboards, consumer protection, education, and tax deductions for child care expenses. She speaks about lobbyists, reactionary right-wing groups, and the timber industry.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on September 13, 1991, Neuberger continues discussing her service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1951 to 1955. She continues talking about legislation she worked on, particularly regarding education. She talks about her re-election in 1953, her constituency, and her relationship with the press. She also talks about the salary she earned as a legislator, as well as the social life in Salem. She discusses Oregon state taxes, and the need for an annual legislative session. She then discusses Dick Neuberger's service in the Oregon Senate from 1949 to 1954 and talks about his campaign for the United States Senate in 1954.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on November 29, 1991, Neuberger discusses moving to Washington, D.C., in 1955. She talks about helping Dick Neuberger set up his Senate office, and about his staff. She discusses Dick Neuberger's service in the U.S. Senate from 1955 to 1960. She discusses his committee assignments, legislation he worked on, and senators he worked with. She also talks about Dick Neuberger's relationship with Senator Wayne Morse. She speaks about her social life and other activities while in Washington, D.C. She then talks about Dick Neuberger's failing health and his death from cancer in 1960. She discusses running for her husband's Senate seat later that year and speaks at length about her campaign. She talks about her service in the U.S. Senate from 1960 to 1965. She discusses her committee assignments and senators she worked with.

In the sixth interview session, conducted on December 9, 1991, Neuberger continues discussing her service in the U.S. Senate. She talks about the facilities available to women in the Senate building, legislation she worked on, and working with the John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson administrations. She discusses some of the world events that occurred during her service, including the Cuban Missile Crisis. Neuberger and Hansen then look at and discuss photographs.

In the seventh interview session, conducted on December 10, 1991, Neuberger continues discussing her service in the U.S. Senate. She talks about her relationship with various foreign diplomats, shares her memories of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, and describes her vote for the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin resolution. She talks about the nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as some of the senators she worked with. She describes some of the major pieces of legislation during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration, including the 1964 Civil Rights bill and the War on Poverty. She discusses her own legislative agenda, her reasons for not pursuing a second term, and her marriage to Philip Solomon in 1964. She also talks about her senatorial staff.

In the eighth and final interview session, conducted on December 12, 1991, Neuberger discusses her relationship with the Democratic Party and reflects on her final years the U.S. Senate. She continues talking about her senatorial staff. She then talks about her activities since leaving politics, including teaching at Radcliffe College, sitting on various commissions, and serving as an inspector of embassies. She shares her opinion of President Richard M. Nixon, and recounts witnessing him hitting his wife in public. She also shares her opinion of the Democratic Party leadership, as well as prominent Oregon politicians at the time of the interview in 1991, including Mark Hatfield. She closes the interview by talking about the expense of campaigning, the increasing role of women in politics, and her thoughts about the future.

Neuberger, Maurine B. (Maurine Brown), 1907-2000

Oral history interview with Mary Jane Sills

This oral history interview with Mary Jane Sills was conducted by Jim Strassmaier from August 8-11, 2003. Administrative notes indicate additional interview sessions were planned but never occurred.

In this interview, Sills discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about moving often due to her father's construction business, discusses her early education, and speaks about her father's death in 1939. She discusses attending Reed College and dropping out in 1941 to join the civil service during World War II. She speaks at length about her experience working in Portland for the War Department from 1941 until the end of the war.

Sills discusses her experience working as an aide to U.S. Senator Richard Neuberger and U.S. Senator Maurine Neuberger from 1954 to 1967. She talks about their campaigns, their positions on environmental issues, and setting up Dick Neuberger's Senate office in Washington, D.C. She also talks about Dick Neuberger's role in the growth of the Democratic Party in Oregon, and about other prominent Oregon Democrats. Sills describes Maurine Neuberger's personality and talks about other members of the Neubergers' senatorial staff. She speaks at length about office management, including keeping the office supplied, handling correspondence, and managing staff. She closes the interview by describing her living situation in Washington, D.C., and caring for Muffet, the Neubergers' cat.

Sills, Mary Jane, 1922-2010

Oral history interview with Frank C. Cook

This oral history interview with Frank C. Cook was conducted by Clark Hansen at the Irish Inn in Ashland, Oregon, from November 29-30, 1989. The interview was conducted in two sessions; collection includes a transcript and a photograph of Cook.

In the first interview session, conducted on November 29, 1989, Cook discusses his family background and early life in Southern California, including his family's involvement with conservative Republican politics and his father's suicide. He discusses attending Occidental College in Los Angeles, California; his involvement with the Quaker movement and Buddhism; and the evolution of his political beliefs. He talks about serving in the National Guard from 1967 to 1968, during the Vietnam War. Cook discusses beginning to work as an aide to U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield in 1969.

In the second interview session, conducted on November 30, 1989, Cook continues to discuss working as an aide to Hatfield from 1969 to 1973. He talks about Hatfield's political career, including Hatfield's role in coaching California Governor Ronald Reagan and how Hatfield's views on the Vietnam War affected his political career and his family. He talks about writing speeches for Hatfield, his work on anti-draft legislation, and other members of Hatfield's staff, particularly Gerry Frank. He also talks about other legislation he worked on for Hatfield, particularly the Neighborhood Government Act; about Hatfield's 1972 re-election campaign; and about his work on Middle East issues. He closes the interview by discussing the possibilities for Hatfield's future career.

Cook, Frank C. (Franklin Charles), 1944-

Oral history interview with Tom J. Imeson

This oral history interview with Tom J. Imeson was conducted by Michael O'Rourke in Salem, Oregon, and at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, from September 14 to December 9, 1988. In this interview, Imeson discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including his early interest in politics. He then discusses studying political science at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He talks about how he became a member of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield's staff in 1969 as a legislative aide specializing in natural resources. He describes legislation he worked on, other members of Hatfield's staff, and Hatfield's opposition to the Vietnam War. He talks about Hatfield's relationship with the Nixon administration, as well as Hatfield's relationship with other Oregon politicians. He speaks at length about Hatfield's 1972 re-election campaign. He talks about the changes in the staff after Hatfield was re-elected, including the increased role of Gerry Frank. Imeson also discusses his marriage to fellow staffer Brenda Thangmeyer and talks about the Watergate scandal. He speaks at length about legislation he worked on regarding environmental, Native American, and logging issues. He discusses Hatfield's opposition to nuclear power, Hatfield's work on the Appropriations Committee, and Hatfield's relationship with Oregon governors, particularly Tom McCall and Neil Goldschmidt.

Imeson discusses running Hatfield's Oregon office from 1981 to 1985. He talks about some of his duties, including working with the Army Corps of Engineers. He also discusses a real estate scandal that affected Hatfield's 1984 re-election campaign. He talks about Hatfield's main accomplishments and legislative agenda, and about Hatfield's personal and family life. Imeson discusses his career since leaving Hatfield's staff, including working for PacifiCorp and as chief of staff for Governor Neil Goldschmidt, as well as his continued relationship with Hatfield. He closes the interview by discussing at length the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers bill.

Imeson, Thomas J. (Thomas James), 1950-