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United States. Congress. Senate Legislation--United States
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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 Jenna L. Dorn

This oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn was conducted by Clark Hansen at the Union Pacific Building in Washington, D.C., from June 13-15, 1988. In this interview, Dorn discusses her family background and early life in La Grande, Oregon. She discusses moving to New Haven, Connecticut, and her involvement in the women's movement. She talks about how she joined the staff of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield in 1977; her work as a legislative assistant; and other members of Hatfield's staff, particularly Gerry Frank. She discusses legislation that she worked on for Hatfield, particularly regarding women's rights and the environment. She discusses how Hatfield communicated with his constituency, and Hatfield's efforts against budget cuts by the Reagan administration while he was serving on the Appropriations Committee. She talks about Hatfield's working relationship with U.S. Senator Bob Packwood and other members of the Oregon congressional delegation. She relates some anecdotes to demonstrate Hatfield's personality and spirituality. She also talks about leaving Hatfield's staff to work with Elizabeth Dole. She closes the interview by discussing the interpersonal relationships of Hatfield's staff.

Dorn, Jennifer Lynn, 1950-

Oral history interview with Thomas R. Getman

This oral history interview with Thomas R. Getman was conducted by Jim Strassmaier in Getman's offices at World Vision in Washington, D.C., from June 3-8, 1988. In this interview, Getman discusses his family background and early life in Luverne, Minnesota, particularly the development of his religious and political beliefs. He then discusses attending Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois, and working with Young Life ministries in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he heard Mark Hatfield speak for the first time. He talks about his longstanding admiration for Hatfield; his involvement with Young Life ministries in New England; and his work for Gerald R. Ford, including a story about being with the Ford family on the night of the 1976 presidential election. He then describes how he came to be on Hatfield's staff; discusses other staff members, particularly Doug Coe and Gerry Frank; and talks about how the staff and Hatfield interacted. Getman discusses his duties as legislative director, Hatfield's relationship with the Republican Party, and the senator's stance on several issues, including abortion. He speaks at length about Hatfield's personality, spirituality, and legislative agenda. He also talks about preacher Billy Graham, as well as the evangelical voting bloc. He discusses the Reagan administration's push for privatization and his own opinion on the limits of the private sector, particularly in regard to health care. He speaks about Hatfield's efforts to mitigate the damaging effects of privatization in his role as chair of the appropriations committee. He then talks about his work on legislation regarding Africa, particularly South Africa. He discusses the events surrounding Rajneeshpuram, and being in Africa on vacation during Hatfield's real estate scandal. He closes the interview by reflecting on the legacy and accomplishments of Hatfield's political career.

Getman, Thomas R.

Oral history interview with J. Keith Kennedy

This oral history interview with J. Keith Kennedy was conducted by Jim Strassmaier in Kennedy's office on June 8, 1988. In this interview, Kennedy discusses his family background and early life in Charlotte, North Carolina. He talks about his college education at Duke University in North Carolina, including influential professors. He then talks about interning for U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield from 1972 to 1973, writing speeches, researching issues and political opponents, and assisting Wes Michaelson. He discusses Hatfield's 1972 re-election campaign against Wayne Morse, and Hatfield's opposition to the Vietnam War, as well as Hatfield's feelings about President Richard Nixon's impeachment. He then discusses working as a legislative assistant for Hatfield from 1974 to 1977. Next, he speaks about his work on the Select Committee on Indian Affairs from 1977 to 1981, and on the Senate Appropriations Committee from 1981 to the time of this interview in 1988. Kennedy talks about Hatfield's legislative agenda and stance on some controversial issues, including the draft. He also talks about other members of Hatfield's staff, including Frank Cook. Kennedy closes the interview by discussing Hatfield's personality and spirituality, as well as Hatfield's relationship with his fellow legislators.

Kennedy, J. Keith

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 Riki P. Sheehan

This oral history interview with Riki P. Sheehan was conducted by Michael O'Rourke from June 2-11, 1988, as part of the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Oral History Series. The interview was conducted in three sessions; collection includes a transcript.

In the first interview session, conducted on February 2, 1988, Sheehan discusses her early political career and describes how she joined the staff of Senator Mark Hatfield as a caseworker in 1974. She speaks about working with Hatfield, describes her job duties, and talks about working with other members of Hatfield's staff. She speaks about Hatfield's opposition to the Vietnam War, talks about his personality, and discusses Hatfield's place in the increasingly right-wing Republican Party of the 1980s. She shares examples of cases she worked on.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 7, 1988, Sheehan discusses Hatfield's relationship with other members of Congress, with his staff, and with his family. She speaks at length about serving as Hatfield's legislative aide on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and describes Hatfield's role and accomplishments as chair of that committee.

In the third and final interview session, conducted on June 11, 1988, Sheehan speaks at length about Hatfield's work to secure funding for research and development at Oregon Health and Science University through the Senate Appropriations Committee, and also talks about the committee's funding for AIDS research. She discusses Hatfield's admiration of Mother Theresa, talks about how Hatfield's liberal Republicanism differs from the Republicanism of President Ronald Reagan, and speaks about the 1984 controversy surrounding Hatfield's association with Greek arms dealer Basil Tsakos. She closes the interview by reflecting on Hatfield's accomplishments.

Sheehan, Riki P. (Fredrica Poster), 1951-