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United States. Congress. Senate Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Public opinion
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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-

Oral history interview with Marian J. Bruner

This oral history interview with Marian J. Bruner was conducted by Clark Hansen at Bruner's home in Bowie, Maryland, on June 18, 1988. In this interview, Bruner discusses her family background and early life in Iowa. She talks about her schooling and her interest in Christian education; working for the Reform Church in New York City; and how she got a job on the staff of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield. She talks about the other members of Hatfield's staff, and discusses some of her duties as caseworker early in Hatfield's senatorial career, including correspondence and some of the cases she handled. She then discusses Hatfield's opposition to the Vietnam War and the related cases she dealt with, including conscientious objectors. She then speaks about her promotion to executive assistant and the change in her duties, including making travel arrangements and managing Hatfield's schedule. Bruner discusses the types of engagements she arranged and Hatfield's work-life balance, as well as his hobbies and personal life. She also talks often about Hatfield's Christian faith and his political philosophy. She discusses Hatfield's relationship with his staff, his role in designing a few commemorative medals, and his committee assignments, particularly the appropriations committee. She closes the interview by discussing her decision to leave Hatfield's staff at the end of 1980.

Bruner, Marian J. (Marian Jeanette), 1915-2018

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 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 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