Hugh M. Gillis, Sr. Papers, 1950s-2013

Summary

Creator:

Gillis, Hugh M. (Hugh Marion), 1918-2013

Date:

1950s-2013

Extent:

21 Linear Feet

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Hugh M. Gillis, Sr. Papers. Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains material from Hugh M. Gillis's personal life and political career, mostly covering the period 1962-2005. This includes constituent and personal correspondence, campaign files, subject files, bill drafts and other legislative records, photographs, and news clippings. The strengths of this collection include natural resources policy, state appropriations, and development of the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick.

Biographical / historical:

Hugh M. Gillis was born in Soperton, Georgia on September 6, 1918 to Jim L. Gillis, Sr. and Annie Lois Walker. After earning a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia in 1939, Gillis entered the family timber business.

A life-long Democrat, Gillis was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1940 at the age of 22. He would serve a total of twelve year in the House before being elected to the Georgia Senate in 1956, where he would serve until 2005. Upon his retirement, Gillis became the longest-serving state legislator in Georiga history. After retirement, Gillis served on the board of the Georgia Ports Authority until 2010. Gillis died in Vidalia, GA on January 1, 2013.

As a senator, Gillis served as chairman of the of the Corrections, Appropriations, and Natural Resources and Environment Committes. He was instrumental in the passage of House Resolution 836, which paved the way for reducing property tax burdens on family farmers and timberers.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided into nine series: 1.) Commissions, 2.) Legislative, 3.) Campaign, 4.) Photographs, 5.) Press and Media, 6.) Personal and Political Files, 7.) Oversize, 8.) Memorabilia, and 9.) Media.

Some series are further subdivided into subseries as follows:

Commissions contains two subseries--Georgia Ports Authority and Georgia Water Resources Council. Legislative contains three subseres--Subject and County Files, Reports, and Bills. Press and Media contains two subseries--Clippings and Media Packets. Personal and Political Files contains four subseries--Correspondence, Awards, Speeches, and Publications.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Harbors -- Georgia.

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use.

This collection contains audiovisual recordings. Reference copies of these recordings can be made available upon request. Requests for access will be fulfilled as soon as possible and will be dependent upon the condition of the recording media.

Terms of access:

Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred citation:

Hugh M. Gillis, Sr. Papers. Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.