I. Civic and Political Organizations, 1945-1976
- Extent:
- 0.5 box(es) and (.5 linear feet)
- Scope and content:
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This series documents Myers' political activity in the files of the Sumter County for Thompson Club (referenced in the folder listing as "Thompson [for Governor]"), Citizens Against the County Unit Amendment, and the Committee for Free Elections. The Thompson Club records contain correspondence with fellow supporters throughout the state as well as M. E. Thompson. The files of the Citizens Against the County Unit Amendment document the group's work to abolish the county unit system in Georgia by asking voters to strike down the amendment during the 1952 election. The Free Elections file details Myers' work to recruit county chairs for the organization's Americus District and includes a document outlining the group's goals.
The Chamber of Commerce files include material related to its mission to attract and promote industry and create employment opportunities within Americus and Sumter County. Files contain correspondence relating to the Chamber's push to expand Souther Field Airport by obtaining land easements and paving the extant airstrip. Other correspondence deals with Georgia Southwestern College's move to create a program to award a Bachelor of Science in Education. Of particular interest are the files of the Public Relations Committee, of which Myers was chair, that document campaigns to "sell" Americus to outside industry and potential residents. Lists of manufacturing facilities and a fact sheet about Americus are included. The Jaycees files contain similar material as well as information about Manufacturer's Day (July 21, 1953), an event staged to invite corporations from across the county, such as John Deere and Ford, as well as state and federal officials, to see what Americus could offer.
The Americus and Sumter County Development Corporation file complements the Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees material, as it was a publicly owned corporation with a financial interest in land acquisition and industrial development. Included are correspondence, by-laws and balance sheets. The Oil file contains information on oil development prospects in the southeast.
The records of the Americus Bar Association relate to matters of legal importance to the community, such as grievances against attorneys and ethical issues. These files also contain correspondence related to Georgia Southwestern College. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) material contains correspondence related to land usage by the Americus chapter and financial information.
Materials from Myers' campaign for Congress in 1950 are also collected here and contain several speeches delivered at various occasions and campaign stops as well as a mock-up of a comic strip-style campaign advertisement.
Contents
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