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Interview with Rose K. Weed (Interview 1)

Rose K. Weed worked as a welder in the Kaiser shipyards. In this interview, Weed discusses the kind of work she did at the shipyards, particularly welding. She describes balancing child care and work. She also talks about the work environment at the shipyards, including her experiences with sexism, the dangers of welding, and her daily commute. She closes the interview by discussing the reasons why she didn't send her child to the shipyard child care centers.

Weed, Rose K. (Rose Klara), 1913-2006

Interview with Ruth Cave (Interview 19)

In this interview, Ruth Cave discusses her work as head teacher at day care centers funded by the Lanham Act of 1940 in Portland, Oregon, during World War II. She talks about some of the children she worked with in Portland; speaks about her teaching methods; and discusses the training available for early childhood educators during the 1940s. She describes some of the children's crafts and activities in the day care centers. She talks about the staff at and the services offered by the day care centers. She compares the Lanham-funded nurseries with the Kaiser day care centers. She speaks about the sanitation protocols at the Lanham-funded day cares. Incomplete transcript available (27 pages). The end of the recording is on Side 1 of a shared cassette. The next interview, with Frances M. Brandon, also begins on Side 1 of the cassette.

Cave, Ruth

Interview with Stella I. Vogel and Reynold S. Vogel (Interview 23)

In this interview, Stella I. Vogel discusses her work as a tank cleaner for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. Reynold S. Vogel discusses his work as a welding leadman at the same company. Stella I. Vogel talks about living in Vanport, about the hours she worked, and about her child care arrangements. The Vogels discuss their activities after the war, and Stella I. Vogel briefly talks about her family background and early life. They describe the work they did at the shipyards, talk about tensions between women and men on the job, and Reynold S. Vogel talks about supervising women welders. Incomplete transcript available (29 pages).

Vogel, Stella I. (Stella Irene), 1915-1986

Interview with Thomas H. Mercer

  • SR 3974
  • Collection
  • 1976

This interview with Thomas Mercer was conducted circa 1976. In the interview, Mercer, who was running against Al Ullman, discusses his current campaign for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives. He also discusses his heart issues and how they have affected his career; gun control; and health care. In addition to the interview, there is a recording of a question-and-answer session with Mercer and voters during his campaign. In the session, Mercer addresses questions regarding abortion and taxation.

Also on the audiocassettes with the Mercer interview is a speech delivered by an unidentified man circa 1977, regarding his experience in the Oregon Legislature, and a discussion held in Salem, Oregon, also circa 1977. The speakers in the discussion include Robert Marx, Anthony Meeker, Margaret Dereli, Mae Yih, Bill Rutherford, Wally Carson, Ken Jernstedt, Tony Van Vliet, and other unidentified legislators. Topics include municipal-, county-, and state-level taxation; revenue sharing; correctional institutions; SB 100 and land use planning; and energy conservation. It is unknown what, if any, relationship these recordings have to the Mercer interview.

Mercer, Thomas H.

Interview with Vernette H. Kilger (Interview 3)

In this interview, Vernette H. Kilger describes her experiences in the Kaiser shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and in Vancouver, Washington. She talks about how she spent her free time; the different ways the shipyards helped women employees; and the management structure within the shipyards. She closes the interview by discussing being laid off after the war and talking about her activities since then. Complete transcript available (30 pages). The recording begins on Side 2 of a shared cassette. Side 1 is the end of the previous interview, with Forrest E. Rieke.

Kilger, Vernette H. (Vernette Hanson), 1910-1992

Interview with Violet McMurtrey (Interview 21)

In this interview, Violet McMurtrey discusses her work as a teacher at the day care center in the University Homes war housing project during World War II. She talks about the staff, about the building, and about the equipment. She discusses the care the children received at the center. She talks about the closure of the day care centers after the end of World War II and about her activities after the war. She compares the program at the University Homes day care center with the child care options available at the time of the interview in 1976. Incomplete transcript available (26 pages).

McMurtrey, Violet

Interview with Virla S. Busse (Interview 8)

In this interview, Virla S. Busse discusses working at the Albina Engine & Machine Works shipyard. She talks about her work as a welder, describes her job duties, and talks about her job schedule. She talks about balancing work and family life. She shares her experiences as a woman worker during World War II. Complete transcript available (22 pages).

Busse, Virla S. (Virla Stella), 1919-1993

Interview with Vivian G. Humphrey and John C. Humphrey (Interview 14)

In this interview, Vivian G. Humphrey and John Humphrey discuss Vivian's work as a welder for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation. They talk about the training women welders received, about crime in the shipyards, and about the dangers of welding. They discuss the reasons Vivian Humphrey quit in 1943. John Humphrey talks about their commute, about shutting down the shipyards after the war ended, and about his work as a burner and chipper. They discuss how male shipyard employees treated the women workers. They talk about living in war housing in St. Johns and about their daily lives. They discuss their careers and raising a family after leaving the shipyards. Incomplete transcript available (31 pages).

Humphrey, Vivian G. (Vivian Gesme), 1916-2001

Interviews about Gladys L. Randall

  • SR 2829
  • Collection
  • 1998-02-07 - 1998-03-07

These interviews about Gladys L. Randall were conducted by Bethanye McNichol from February 7 to March 7, 1998. Interviewees include Randall's stepson, Richard S. Randall; her daughter-in-law, Sylvia J. Randall; and the owner of Nicholas Ungar Furs, Horst G. Grimm.

The interview with Richard S. Randall, and his wife, Sylvia J. Randall, was conducted in two sessions. In the first interview session, on February 7, 1998, Richard S. Randall discusses Gladys L. Randall's family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, including her marriage to his father, Richard Randall. He speaks at length about Gladys L. Randall's millinery business in Portland and Salem with Olga Lanphier on the label Olga & Louise in the 1940s and 1950s. Sylvia Randall speaks about Gladys L. Randall's millinery and sewing work in the 1960s and 1970s. She talks about Gladys L. Randall's partnership with Lanphier, and about some of Gladys L. Randall's famous clients. Richard S. Randall describes Olga & Louise's design for Portland meter readers. The Randalls talk about Gladys L. Randall's hat-making process and supplies, about her enjoyment of millinery work, and about her recreational activities. They look at photographs of Gladys L. Randall and talk about them, and also talk about their relationship with her. Sylvia J. Randall talks about her work as a model in the 1950s and 1960s, and also about Gladys L. Randall's relationship with Portland dressmaker Evelyn Gibson. In the second interview session, on March 7, 1998, Richard S. Randall and Sylvia J. Randall look through Gladys L. Randall's scrapbook and talk about its contents.

The interview with Horst G. Grimm, who worked at and later owned the Nicholas Ungar Furs store in Portland, Oregon, was conducted on February 14, 1998. In this interview, Grimm shares his memories of Gladys L. Randall's millinery business. He also describes Portland, Oregon, society when he first arrived from Germany in 1959. He talks about Randall's millinery skills, about the health dangers posed by the chemicals used in hatmaking, and about changes in women's fashion from the 1950s to the time of the interview, particularly hat fashion.

Audio in the collection also includes a recording on February 17, 1998, in which Bethanye McNichols reads from her notes from previous interview sessions and talks about her future research plans.

The collection also includes 9 photocopy photographs, with three additional duplicates, relating to Randall, Lanphier, and their Olga & Louise label. Photographs include images of a fur hat, Randall and Lanphier together, and Randall and Lanphier in their hat shop with sales staff and customers. The photographs are undigitized but are available to view at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Randall, Richard S. (Richard Stanley), 1926-2000

Interviews with Wayne Morse campaign staff

These audio recordings consist of interviews with staffers of Wayne Morse's 1968 re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate. The interviews were conducted by an unidentified woman. The interviewees include Ron Abell, Helen Johnson, and Phillip George. In these interviews, the staffers discuss Morse's accomplishments and the reasons why they believe he should be re-elected, including his senior position in the Senate, his stance on war and social issues, and his political acumen. They talk about Morse's plans to pursue legislation on health care, jobs, and poverty.

The recordings also include variations of political ads for Wayne Morse's 1968 re-election campaign, produced by Oregon legislator Ted Hallock's advertising and public relations company.

Abell, Ron, 1932-

Japanese American Oral History Project

  • Japanese American Oral History Project
  • Collection
  • 1992-1998

A series of oral history interviews conducted between 1992 and 1998 with Japanese Americans in Oregon. Loen Dozono of the Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL) collaborated with OHS on this project. The interviews were conducted by JACL and OHS staff and volunteers. They aimed to interview Issei (first generation Japanese Americans), and ultimately also interviewed several Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans).

Karen Beck Skold dissertation papers and interviews

  • Mss 1803
  • Collection
  • 1941-1980

This collection consists of papers and interviews gathered by Karen Beck Skold during research for her 1981 Ph.D. dissertation in sociology at the University of Oregon, entitled "Women Workers and Child Care During World War II: A Case Study of the Portland, Oregon Shipyards."

Digitized materials available online in OHS Digital Collections consist of 26 audio recordings of interviews that Skold conducted with people, predominantly women, who worked at shipyards and in child care in the Portland, Oregon, area during World War II. Most of the people Skold interviewed worked at the Kaiser shipyards, including the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation yard. A few were employed at Albina Engine Machine Works and Commercial Iron Works; one interviewee worked at the Tacoma-Seattle Shipbuilding Corporation in Washington. The interviewees were primarily welders, ship fitters, and drivers, but also include women who worked as teachers and nurses at child care centers in the shipyards or in war housing projects. Transcripts are available for many interviews, but not all transcripts are complete; only completed transcripts are available online. Also digitized and available online is a recording of a 1980 presentation that Skold delivered in Alameda County, California, titled "The Politics of Child Care during World War II: The Case of the Kaiser Child Service Centers."

Undigitized materials available for use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library include photocopied reports and articles, mostly regarding children's services in Portland, as well as racism and sex segregation in the shipyards; newspaper clippings regarding Skold's research, 1975-1976; correspondence with sources, 1975-1976; biographical information about women who worked in shipyard child care centers, 1975; minutes of the Women's Advisory Committee, 1943; and a 1941 union agreement between the American Federation of Labor and the Pacific Shipbuilders.

Skold, Karen Beck

KPTV interview with Jackie Kennedy and John F. Kennedy

  • SR 3904
  • Collection
  • 1958

This interview with John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy was conducted by John A. Salisbury for broadcast on the Portland, Oregon, channel KPTV in 1958. In this interview, Jackie Kennedy discusses their family life and recreational activities. John F. Kennedy talks about Jimmy Hoffa and labor unions. He addresses the controversy surrounding his Catholicism and youth. He discusses his experience meeting Oregonians.

Salisbury closes the interview with thanks to the Kennedys for appearing on his program, a commercial for Ovaltine, and an explanation of the changes in Oregon laws regarding primaries. A commercial for SafeCo Insurance plays, followed by a message regarding Oregon election laws from Oregon Secretary of State Howell Appling and Governor Mark Hatfield. The recording ends with a commercial for an allergy nasal spray.

Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963

Northwest Power Planning Council Oral History Project

  • NWPPC
  • Collection
  • 1998-05-21 - 2004-05-26

This series of interviews was conducted by Michael O'Rourke and Jim Strassmaier as part of the Oregon Historical Society oral history program, beginning in 1998. The purpose of this oral history project was to document the history and purpose of the Northwest Power Planning Council, which is now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

The Northwest Power Planning Council is a four-state regional planning body formed by Congress through the Northwest Power Act of 1980 to develop and maintain regional conservation and electric power plans and a fish and wildlife program. The council is composed of two representatives from each member state: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The mission of the council is "to preserve the benefits of the Columbia River for future generations." The body was originally known as the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council; the name was shortened to Northwest Power Planning Council in October 1981, and in 2003, the name was changed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Northwest Power Planning Council (U.S.)

Northwest Women's History Project records and interviews

  • Coll 883
  • Collection
  • 1943-2021

This collection consists of the records of Northwest Women's History Project and audio recordings of oral history interviews the organization conducted with women who had worked in shipyards in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, during World War II.

Digitized materials available online in OHS Digital Collections consist of the interview audio recordings and, when available, completed interview transcripts. The interviews explore issues such as sexual harassment, sexism and racism in unions and on the job, child care, on-the-job training, and life after the war.

Undigitized materials available for use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library consist of the Northwest Women's History Project records in the collection. The bulk of these records relate to the interviews with women shipyard workers and a resulting presentation, titled "Good Work, Sister!" The records include grant documents, telephone questionnaires, transcripts and excerpts of in-person interviews, photographic slides of interviewees who were featured in "Good Work, Sister!" and photographs and records relating to "Good Work, Sister!" events. Also included are some photographs, clippings, ephemera, and memorabilia relating to women shipyard workers in World War II. Other undigitized materials include administrative records, materials relating to the organization's later projects, and materials about the re-release of "Good Work, Sister!" on DVD.

Northwest Women's History Project

Oral history interview with Abbot L. Mills, Jr.

  • SR 9566
  • Collection
  • 1977-07-15

This oral history interview with Abbot L. Mills, Jr., was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on July 15, 1977, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Mills discusses his family background and speaks at length about the life and banking career of his father, Abbot Low Mills, who later became the president of the First National Bank of Portland. He discusses his early life in the Couch Addition area of Portland, which is now part of the Nob Hill neighborhood, and talks about families who lived in the neighborhood. He also talks about the Ainsworth family background of his wife, Katherine Mills. He describes how he came to work at the First National Bank of Portland in 1922, and talks about his career in banking there and at the United States National Bank of Portland.

Mills, Abbot Low, 1898-1986

Oral history interview with Abdi Nazemian

This oral history interview with Abdi Nazemian was conducted by Sankar Raman and Nancy E. Dollahite on November 8, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Nazemian discusses his family background and early life in Paris, France; Toronto, Canada; and New York City. He shares the reasons his family left Iran for France, then Canada; talks about his experience growing up multilingual and about raising his own children to also be multilingual; and about adjusting to life in the United States. He discusses his cultural and ethnic identity, and his identity as a gay man, and talks about how those identities inform his writing. He speaks about his experiences and education at a boarding school in New York, talks about coming out to his family in his twenties, and describes his early career as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, California. He speaks at length about writing books telling queer Iranian stories, and about his writing process. He closes the interview by talking about how the AIDS pandemic affected him, by describing the themes of his novels, and by discussing public reception of his novels.

Nazemian, Abdi

Oral history interview with Abdulah Polovina

This oral history interview with Abdulah Polovina was conducted by Elizabeth Mehren and Sankar Raman on January 7, 2019. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States.

In this interview, Polvina discusses his experiences as a Muslim in Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. He talks about the history of Muslims, and of genocide against Muslims, in the region, and about politics in Yugoslavia leading up to the wars. He speaks at length about his Islamic faith, about his early life and education in Bosnia, and about changing his name to Abdulah. He talks about his marriage to his wife, Hatidza, about being separated while he served in the war, and about his reasons for leaving Bosnia for Seattle, Washington, in 2001. He talks about his experience as the first Muslim student at Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry, and about his experience serving as imam at a mosque in Portland, Oregon. He closes the interview by talking about the Portland Muslim community, and reflecting on the experiences of Bosnian Muslims during the war.

Polovina, Abdulah, 1973-

Oral history interview with Abel F. Getachew

This oral history interview with Abel F. Getachew was conducted by Sankar Raman and Gina Ruggeri on June 11, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Getachew discusses his family background and early life in Ethiopia, including his education, social life, and playing soccer. He talks about his mother's disappearance in 2007; learning later that she had immigrated to the United States; and his life in Ethiopia until he was able to join her in 2012. He describes the process of immigrating to the U.S. and adjusting to life in Portland, Oregon. He talks about his education in Portland, including learning English as a second language, playing soccer, and participating in various academic extracurricular activities. He also talks about his experience at Roosevelt High School and transferring to De La Salle North Catholic High School. He discusses his plans to pursue a career in the medical field and interning at Oregon Health & Science University. He talks about applying for colleges and scholarships. He speaks at length about creating an organization, Hope for Bright Future, to support other immigrant students. He closes the interview by discussing his plan to attend Georgetown University, then medical school, and to become a cardiovascular surgeon.

Getachew, Abel F., 2000-

Oral history interview with Abood Aldabea

This oral history interview with Abood Aldabea was conducted by Sankar Raman on May 18, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. Aldabea's family was present, and they occasionally contributed in Arabic. An unidentified neighbor was also present.

In this interview, Aldabea discusses his early life in Damascus, Syria, including his education, family, and neighborhood. He also describes some of his favorite Syrian foods. He shares his memories of the civil war in Syria, including being gassed by the Syrian military while heading home from his mosque and bombings in his neighborhood. He talks about fleeing to Jordan, and about life in Jordan as a Syrian refugee. He describes the process of being resettled in the United States in 2014. The unidentified neighbor talks about helping Aldabea's family get established in Portland, Oregon. Aldabea talks about adjusting to life in Portland, his education, and his involvement in sports. He closes the interview by discussing learning English as a second language, his friends, and his plans for the future.

Aldabea, Abood (Abdulelah), 2002-

Oral history interview with Adam C. Heim and Clara C. Heim

  • SR 1086
  • Collection
  • 1989-07-26 - 1989-09-13

This oral history interview with Adam C. Heim and Clara C. Heim was conducted by Jim Strassmaier at the Heims' home in Portland, Oregon, from July 26 to September 13, 1989, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in five sessions. Adam C. Heim was interviewed in sessions 1 and 2; Clara C. Heim was interviewed in sessions 3 and 4; and both were interviewed together in session 5.

In the first interview session, conducted on July 26, 1989, Adam C. Heim discusses his family background, including his Russian and German heritage and his father's career with the Union Pacific Railroad Company. He talks about his early life in the Albina neighborhood of Portland, including his education and recreational activities. He speaks about working on a sugar beet farm in Idaho; about the Portland harbor; and about his apprenticeship as a machinist for the Union Pacific Railroad.

In the second interview session, conducted on August 2, 1989, Adam C. Heim talks about his siblings, particularly his older brother, John Adams Heim. He continues to discuss his career with the Union Pacific Railroad. He talks about his marriage to Clara C. Heim and about raising their children. He speaks about his experiences living in Huntington, Oregon, during the Depression, including the death of one of his children from spinal meningitis. He also discusses returning to Portland in the 1940s; talks about his children, their families, and their careers; and describes being injured during a robbery.

In the third interview session, conducted on August 29, 1989, Clara C. Heim discusses her family background and early life in North Portland. She talks about her siblings, their families, and their careers. She discusses her health as a child, her education, and working as a telephone operator.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on September 7, 1989, Clara C. Heim continues to discuss her early life in North Portland. She talks about her marriage to Adam C. Heim, about raising a family, and about her experiences during the Depression. She discusses her children, their families, and their careers. She speaks about life in Huntington, and about her political beliefs.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on September 13, 1989, Clara C. Heim and Adam C. Heim discuss living in and raising a family in Huntington and in North Portland during and after World War II. They also talk about the Black population in North Portland. They speak about their relationship with their children, about the changes in the Catholic Church, and about their political beliefs. They close the interview by talking about their recreational activities.

Heim, Adam C. (Adam Clarence), 1902-1995

Oral history interview with Agnes Barchus

  • SR 9407
  • Collection
  • 1980-03-03

This oral history interview with Agnes Barchus was conducted by Karen A. Reyes at Barchus' home in Portland, Oregon, on March 3, 1980. In this interview, Barchus discusses the art career of her mother, Eliza R. Barchus, including her exhibits at the Portland Hotel and the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, as well as her innovation of selling prints of her paintings on postcards. Barchus also shares her memories of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition, describing many of the buildings and exhibits in detail. She describes some of the houses that her mother built in Portland, her mother's practice of paying her bills in trade, and her mother's efforts to save several boxwood trees from a construction project. She talks about the renewed interest in her mother's artwork after Eliza Barchus' death in 1959, exhibitions of her mother's work in the 1960s and 1970s, and the passage of a resolution naming Eliza Barchus "The Oregon Artist."

Barchus, Agnes, 1893-1983

Oral history interview with Al Monner

  • SR 1068
  • Collection
  • 1993-02-25 - 1993-03-04

This oral history interview with Al Monner was conducted by Donald J. Sterling at Monner's home in Portland, Oregon, from February 25 to March 4, 1993. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on February 25, 1993, Monner discusses his family background and early life on a farm in Kaskela, Oregon, including his education, his sister, and his recreational activities. He then talks about moving to Portland in 1923, his high school education, and his early interest in photography. He speaks about working for a public library, attending Linfield College, and working as a developer and photographer for Brubaker Aerial Surveys. He discusses working for Photo Art Studio, his friendship with Ray Atkeson, and his involvement with the Wy'east Climbers.

In the second interview session, conducted on March 4, 1993, Monner revisits the topics of his family background, and working as a developer and photographer for Brubaker Aerial Surveys. He speaks about his early career as a photographer for the Oregonian newspaper and describes his photography equipment. He then discusses his career as a photographer for the Oregon Journal newspaper, his photography equipment, and some of his assignments. He also talks about his freelance work, as well as photography he did for himself; photographers he worked with, including Minor White; and his involvement with the Mazamas and mountain climbing. He speaks about his marriage to Catherine Elizabeth Gnadinger, and about his children, their careers, and their families. He speaks at length about photographing Portland's Romani community and Native Americans. He then talks about Catherine Elizabeth Monner's death in 1961 and his retirement activities. He closes the interview by discussing famous people and events that he photographed.

Monner, Al (Alfred Anthony), 1909-1998

Oral history interview with Al Wright

This oral history interview with Al Wright was conducted by Michael O'Rourke from April 15 to October 28, 2002. The interview was conducted as part of the Northwest Power Planning Council Oral History Project, which documented the history and purpose of the Northwest Power Planning Council, now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The interview was conducted in five sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on April 15, 2002, Wright discusses his family background and early life in Cloverdale, California. He talks about his education at the University of California at Berkeley, and about his early career as an engineer with Los Angeles Water and Power. He speaks about serving on the Oregon Water Resources Board, conducting a wastewater study in Eugene, and serving on the Pacific Northwest River Basins Commission.

In the second interview session, conducted on May 23, 2002, Wright discusses the history of the Washington Public Power Supply System and its relationship to the 1980 Northwest Power Act. He speaks about the development of the Northwest Power Planning Council, including the leadership of Dan Evans, and lobbying state governors regarding appointments to the council. He talks about his work with the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, and the PNUCC's involvement with the work of the power planning council, particularly the council's fish and wildlife plan. He also talks about some of the members of the council, and shares the perspectives of electrical utilities regarding the council's power and conservation plans.

In the third interview session, conducted on July 12, 2002, Wright speaks at length about the relationship between the NWPPC and the Bonneville Power Administration. He discusses his work on the fish and wildlife committee of PNUCC, and speaks at length about the fish and wildlife plan of the council, including the science behind the plan, its effectiveness, and its implementation. He talks about the effectiveness of salmon hatcheries on the Columbia River, and about outcomes for hatchery fish. He discusses the allocation of the BPA budget for fish and energy conservation. He talks about working with some of the members of the council, including Norma Paulus; discusses the interests of electrical utilities in Montana; and speaks about working with the Army Corps of Engineers.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on August 20, 2002, Wright continues to discuss the interests of electrical utilities in Montana and working with some of the members of the NWPPC. He also talks about the interests of electric utilities in Idaho. He describes the impact the addition of some salmon species to the endangered species list in 1989 had on the council.

In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on October 28, 2002, Wright continues to describe the impact the addition of some salmon species to the endangered species list in 1989 had on the council. He speaks about the conflicts surrounding the NWPPC's 1994 fish and wildlife plan, about the retirement of Ed Sheets, and about the turnover in council members and staff in the 1990s. He shares his reasons for leaving PNUCC after 1995, and talks about running a consulting business. He discusses the work of the NWPPC under the leadership of John Etchart, speaks at length about the deregulation of electric utilities that began in the 1990s, and closes the interview by sharing his opinion on public utilities.

Wright, Al (Albert E.), 1942-

Oral history interview with Alan Green

  • SR 2824
  • Collection
  • 1999-04-20 - 1999-07-21

This oral history interview with Alan Green was conducted by Jim Strassmaier in Green's office and home in Portland, Oregon, from April 20 to July 21, 1999. Tape 16 of the recording is missing, but the contents are reflected in an incomplete transcript of the interview.

In this interview, Green discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including his memories of the Depression, his family history of alcoholism, and his early education, including his involvement in student body government during high school. He then discusses his experiences as a theodylite observer in the Army during World War II, including spending time in an Army hospital after a truck accident in New Guinea. He talks about attending Stanford University, including living in the Phi Delta fraternity house, and meeting his wife, Joan Irwin. He describes working an insurance salesman, his marriage, and starting a battery company. He also briefly discusses serving as president of the University Club in 1967 and his efforts to open membership to Jewish people. He talks about a DUI infraction in 1962, his struggle with alcoholism, and his path to sobriety, as well as his later work helping others get sober. He speaks at length about his management of various business enterprises.

Green discusses his involvement in moderate conservative politics and the Republican Party. He talks about his chairmanship of the Multnomah County Central Committee, the 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater, and Mark Hatfield's brush with the vice presidency in 1968. He also talks about Wayne Morse's defection to the Democratic Party. He speaks at length about his service on the Port of Portland, including competition with Seattle, labor issues, and other members of the commission, particularly Ed Westerdahl. He shares his memories of the Richard Nixon administration, particularly his feelings regarding the Watergate scandal and the rise of the far right. He also talks about serving on the Federal Maritime Commission from 1982 to 1988, including the confirmation process, the Shipping Act of 1985, and his social life while living in Washington, D.C. He talks about how his work on that commission was facilitated by both Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood. Green then describes serving as chairman for George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign in Oregon and his subsequent appointment as ambassador to Romania in 1989.

Green speaks at length about serving as ambassador to Romania from 1989 to 1992. He talks about his confirmation, his training, and the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu. He talks about the members of his staff, living behind the Iron Curtain, and helping Romanian political dissidents become American citizens. He then talks about the new Romanian president, Ion Iliescu, Romanian political parties, and Romanian society and economy after the revolution. He also talks about traveling through Europe while an ambassador, Romania's role in the Gulf War, and international adoption of Romanian children. He then discusses his activities during retirement, including sitting on various boards, and his involvement with the political campaigns of Gordon Smith and George W. Bush. He closes the interview by talking about his children and grandchildren.

Green, Alan, 1925-

Oral history interview with Alejandro Vilches

This an oral history interview with Alejandro Vilches was conducted by Sankar Raman on February 3, 2018. The interview was recorded for The Immigrant Story, an organization that documents and archives the stories of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In this interview, Vilches discusses his family background and early life in Bryan, Texas, including his father's education there. He then discusses his life in Honduras from ages 4 to 28, including being bilingual, his education, and his siblings. He also talks about his father's career as a pilot and death in an airplane accident, as well as his mother raising their family as a single parent. He describes the Honduran people and culture. He discusses studying computer science at the Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and the pressure he felt to succeed as the oldest child. He also talks about holding dual citizenship and his cultural and ethnic identity. He talks about coming to the United States to study computer science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, including the differences in American and Honduran cultural norms, the diverse student body, and his social life. He discusses interning for Intel during the summers while at Purdue, and then beginning work as a software engineer for the company in Hillsboro, Oregon, shortly after he graduated. He also talks about his robotics-related volunteer work. He closes the interview by discussing how his views have changed regarding immigration and the value of diversity.

Vilches, Alejandro, 1980-

Oral history interview with Alfred H. Corbett

This oral history interview with Alfred H. Corbett was conducted by Clark Hansen at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, from November 29, 1991, to April 24, 1992. In this interview, Corbett discusses his family background and early life in the Dunthorpe neighborhood of Portland and in eastern Oregon. He also discusses the political career of his father, Henry Ladd Corbett, and life during the Depression. He then talks about his education, including studying business at Harvard and law at Yale. He discusses meeting his wife, Nancy deCanizares, and her family background and early life. He briefly discusses his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he fought in Italy from 1943 to 1945. Corbett talks about practicing law in Portland and about some of his clients, including the Southern Pacific Railroad. He also talks about his brief service on the Portland Housing Authority at the time of the Vanport Flood; his year in the Defense Electric Power Administration; his involvement with the Democratic Party; and returning to Oregon to run for the state Legislature.

Corbett discusses his legislative career in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1953 to 1956. He talks about his campaigns, partisan politics, and his committee appointments. He discusses legislation he worked on, including on child care funding, education, civil rights, and budgeting. He also speaks at length about serving on the Ways and Means Committee. He then discusses serving in the Oregon Senate from 1957 to 1964, particularly his continued work on the Ways and Means Committee. He discusses some of the legislation he worked on, including on health care.

Corbett then discusses working on the 1956 presidential campaign of Adlai Stevenson and his own 1964 campaign for Oregon secretary of state. He discusses his work in the federal Office of Economic Opportunity in Washington, D.C., from 1965 to 1972, and then in the Legal Services Corporation until his retirement in 1978. He talks about some of the programs he was affiliated with in those positions, including educational, legal aid, and health care programs. Additionally, he discusses his dealings with U.S. Senator Wayne Morse and U.S. Rep. Edith Green. He also talks about clashing with the Nixon administration. He closes the interview by talking about his activities in retirement and his family life.

Corbett, Alfred H. (Alfred Hoyt), 1915-2000

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