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J. Roy Rowland Papers, Series IV: Press

J. Roy Rowland Papers, Series IV: Press

Descriptive Summary

Title: J. Roy Rowland Papers, Series IV: Press
Creator: Rowland, J. Roy (James Roy), 1926-2022
Inclusive Dates: 1973-1994
Language(s): English
Extent: 9 box(es) (4.5 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL112JRR_IV
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The Press Series documents Rowland's activities, his legislative priorities, and issues affecting the Eighth District. Of particular interest are the Health Issues clippings, which cover many of Rowland's major initiatives, such as funding for AIDS research, and the Campaign clippings, which cover Rowland's and his opponents' campaign activities and positions on various issues. Also included is correspondence sent to Rowland from constituents next hit and from colleagues and various organizations. The latter are mostly form letters inviting Rowland to events or announcing upcoming meetings.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

James Roy Rowland, Jr., was born in Wrightsville, Johnson County, Georgia, on February 3, 1926, to Superior Court Judge and Mrs. J. Roy Rowland, Sr. He attended Wrightsville Primary School and Wrightsville High School, graduating in 1943. He was also an Eagle Scout. Rowland briefly attended Emory University at Oxford, Georgia, as a pre-med student prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Army, serving from 1944 to 1946. He achieved the rank of sergeant and earned a Bronze Star. After returning from Europe, he attended South Georgia College, the University of Georgia, and eventually enrolled in the Medical College of Georgia where he earned his M.D. in 1952. Soon after, he established a family medical practice in Dublin, Georgia, which he maintained until 1980.

In 1976, Rowland ran for the 119th District seat (part of Laurens County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. He was elected and served three terms until 1982.

In 1982, he defeated incumbent Billy Lee Evans for the 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and served for six consecutive terms as a Democrat. In 1994, he chose not to seek reelection. When Rowland was elected in 1982, the 8th District consisted of the following thirty counties in middle and south Georgia, including the city of Macon: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baldwin, Bibb, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Dodge, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Pierce, Putnam, Taliaferro, Telfair, Treutlen, Twiggs, Ware, Washington, Wheeler, Wilcox, and Wilkinson. After redistricting in 1992, Rowland was reelected to the new 8th District in November. The district then comprised thirty-two counties, now including the cities of Macon, Warner Robins, Albany, and Valdosta: Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Echols, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Jones, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Lowndes, Pulaski, Telfair, Tift, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Wheeler, Wilcox, and Worth.

As one of the few medical doctors in Congress (the only doctor in Congress from 1985 to 1988), Rowland capitalized on his experience as a family physician in a largely rural district of Georgia to develop new legislation and contribute to commissions, coalitions, caucuses, and task forces. Rowland belonged to the following House committees and subcommittees: Energy and Commerce Committee (1989-1994), Health and the Environment subcommittee, Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness subcommittee, Transportation and Hazardous Materials subcommittee; Veterans' Affairs Committee (1983-1994), Hospitals and Health Care subcommittee (chairman, 1993-1994), Housing and Memorial Affairs subcommittee; Public Works and Transportation Committee (1983-1989), Airports and Aviation subcommittee; Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families (1983-1994).

Rowland also served on a number of boards (e.g. Biomedical Ethics Board), coalitions (e.g., Rural Health Care Coalition), task forces (e.g., Conservative Democratic Forum: Education Task Force), caucuses (e.g., Congressional Sunbelt Caucus, Congressional Arts Caucus) and commissions, including many that were related to health care. Of particular note is his service on the National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), an independent, bi-partisan commission charged with making recommendations to Congress and the president towards the creation of a uniform national policy on AIDS and HIV. Rowland drafted the legislation for the commission's founding (H.R. 2881) and Vice President George H. W. Bush appointed Rowland a member of the commission in 1988. Rowland was also appointed to the National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality by the Speaker of the House Thomas P. O'Neil in 1987, and served as vice-chairman. This commission was charged with developing a uniform policy and making recommendations to Congress about infant mortality.

Rowland has received numerous awards, including Peace through Strength Award for his support of defense issues, the Guardian of Small Business Award, and the Legislator of the Year Award in Georgia (1986). In 1998, the Dublin Federal Courthouse was renamed the J. Roy Rowland Federal Courthouse in his honor.

After his congressional career, Rowland has continued to be active in public policy and health care. In 2003, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Rowland to the Commission for a New Georgia to assist with health care issues in the state. In 2005, Perdue appointed him to the Board of Directors of Medical College of Georgia Health, Inc. He has also served as an Advisory Board member to Prevent Child Abuse, Georgia.

Rowland married Luella Price in 1945, and they have three children. Following his career in public service, he and his wife settled in Dublin, GA. Rowland died on April 25, 2022 at the age of 96.

Scope and Content

The Press Series documents Rowland's activities, his legislative priorities, and issues affecting the Eighth District. Of particular interest are the Health Issues clippings, which cover many of Rowland's major initiatives, such as funding for AIDS research, and the Campaign clippings, which cover Rowland's and his opponents' campaign activities and positions on various issues. Also included is correspondence sent to Rowland from previous hitconstituents next hit and from colleagues and various organizations. The latter are mostly form letters inviting Rowland to events or announcing upcoming meetings.

Organization and Arrangement

The Press Series is arranged in seven subseries: A. News Clippings, B. News Releases, C. Reports from Washington, D. Radio Scripts and Statements, E. previous hitConstituent next hit Mailings, F. Correspondence, and G. Publications.


Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Case mail and other restricted items are closed for 75 years from date of creation.

Preferred Citation

J. Roy Rowland Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Note

Thermofax and fax paper has been copied onto bond paper for protection of content. Originals have been kept in addition to preservation photocopies when Rowland or his staff made additional notations.

User Restrictions

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

Copyright Information

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.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2008.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- United States
Legislators -- United States.
Medical care -- Law and legislation -- United States.
United States -- National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1981-1989.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1989-1993.

Related Collections in this Repository

Charles F. Hatcher Papers

R. Lindsay Thomas Papers

Ben Jones Papers

Ed L. Jenkins Papers

George W. (Buddy) Darden Papers

Sanford D. Bishop Papers

C. Donald (Don) Johnson Papers

Richard Ray Papers

Joe Frank Harris Papers

Doug Barnard, Jr. Papers

Lee Robinson Papers

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Paul D. Coverdell Papers, Georgia College and State University

Sam Nunn Papers, Robert W. Woodruff Library's Special Collections Department at Emory University

Newt Gingrich Papers, University of West Georgia

Culver Kidd Papers, Georgia Southern University

University of West Georgia's Political Heritage Program Oral Histories

J. Roy Rowland, Jr. Commercials, 1988, Political Commercial Archive, University of Oklahoma

National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Records, 1983-1994, Modern Manuscripts Collection, History of Medicine Division, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, MS C 544

Congressional Sunbelt Caucus Collection, Carl Albert Center, University of Oklahoma


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

IV. Press

9 box(es)
(4.5 linear feet)
The Press Series is arranged in eight subseries: A. News Clippings, B. News Releases, C. Reports from Washington, D. Radio Scripts and Statements, E. previous hitConstituent next hit Mailings, F. Correspondence, G. Publications, and H. Audiovisual. Administrative Assistant/Press Assistant L. Selby McCash's files are represented in part in this series. Not all of his files were donated to the Russell Library, however.



A. News Clippings

( 4 box(es) ) ( (2 linear feet) )
Arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by year within each subject. News clippings document Rowland's activities, his legislative priorities, and issues affecting the Eighth District. Of particular interest are the Health Issues clippings, which cover many of Rowland's major initiatives, such as funding for AIDS research, and the Campaign clippings, which cover Rowland's and his opponents' campaign activities and positions on various issues.


1. Campaigns , 1982-1994
boxfolder
11campaign, 1982
12campaign, 1984
13campaign, 1986
14campaign, 1988
15campaign, 1990
16campaign, 1992


2. Congressional Issues , 1984-1994
boxfolder
17Congressional compensation, 1984-1994
18Congressional mail privileges, 1989-1994
19Congressional travel, 1987-1994
110Georgia Congressional redistricting, 1989-1992
111House bank and check bouncing controversy, 1992
112Rowland vote against Clinton deficit reduction package, 1993


3. Economics , 1983-1993
boxfolder
21Economics, 1983-1993


4. Health Issues , 1984-1994
boxfolder
22Abortion, 1989-1993
23AIDS, 1985-1992
24Health care reform, general, 1984-1993
25Health care reform, Rowland-Bilirakis health care bill (folder 1 of 2), 1992-1994
26Health care reform, Rowland-Bilirakis health care bill (folder 2 of 2), 1992-1994
27Infant mortality, 1986-1990
28Medicare, Social Security, and rural hospitals, 1985-1993


5. Legislation , 1982-1994
boxfolder
31Agriculture, farming, and timber, 1982-1993
32Civil Rights bill, 1988-1992
33Education, 1987-1993
34Environment, 1984-1993
35Flag burning, 1986-1990
36Food safety and product liability, 1991-1993
37Gun control and crime, 1986-1994
38Illegal drugs, 1983-1990
39Miscellaneous legislation, 1984-1994
310National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), 1990-1993
311North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), 1992-1994
312Transportation, Airports, 1989-1991
313Transportation, AMTRAK, 1984-1990
314Transportation, Highways, 1984-1990
315Welfare reform, 1992-1993


6. Military , 1984-1994
boxfolder
316Iraq/Persian Gulf War, 1986-1990
317Base operations and closures, 1987-1990
318Foreign policy and interventions, 1987-1994
319National defense, 1984-1993


7. Rowland , 1984-1994
boxfolder
41Awards and committees, 1984-1994
42Eighth District appearances, 1984-1993
43Eighth District previous hitconstituents next hit, 1984-1993
44Eighth District issues, 1984-1993
45Retirement, 1993-1994


8. Veterans , 1984-1994
boxfolder
46"Atomic" veterans, 1984-1990
47Veterans benefits, 1984-1994



B. News Releases

( 2 box(es) ) ( (1 linear foot) )
Arranged chronologically by year. The releases were submitted to newspapers throughout the Eighth District and cover similar subject matter as the news clippings: rural hospitals, infant mortality, veterans' health care, AIDS, military bases in Georgia's Eighth District, taxes and the economy, environmental concerns, and agriculture.
boxfolder
51News Releases, 1983
52News Releases, 1984
53News Releases, 1985
54News Releases, 1986
55News Releases, 1987
56News Releases, 1988
boxfolder
61News Releases, 1989
62News Releases, 1990
63News Releases, 1991
64News Releases, 1992
65News Releases, [1990-1992]
66News Releases, 1993-1994
67Statements, 1986, 1990-1992
68Wire Reports, 1983, 1987-1992



C. Reports from Washington

( 1.5 box(es) ) ( (.75 linear feet) )
Organized by form (typed or printed) and arranged chronologically by year. Documenting Rowland's stance on various issues over the course of his six terms, these reports were weekly letters his office submitted to be published in newspapers throughout the Eighth District.


1. Typed Reports , 1983-1994
boxfolder
71Reports from Washington, 1983
72Reports from Washington, 1984
73Reports from Washington, 1985
74Reports from Washington, 1986
75Reports from Washington, 1987
76Reports from Washington, 1988
77Reports from Washington, 1989
78Reports from Washington, 1990
79Reports from Washington, 1991
710Reports from Washington, 1992-1994


2. Printed Reports , 1990-1994
boxfolder
81Reports from Washington, 1990
82Reports from Washington, 1991
83Reports from Washington, 1992
84Reports from Washington, 1993
85Reports from Washington, 1994
86Reports from Washington, undated



D. Radio Scripts and Statements

( 0.5 box(es) ) ( (.25 linear feet) )
Organized by type of document and then by year. This subseries includes scripts from weekly radio spots and public service announcements, news releases submitted for broadcast and statements made during news conferences and on the House floor.
boxfolder
87Letters, 1990-1991
88News/Press Releases, 1984-1991
89Public Service Announcements, 1991
810Reports from Washington, 1983
811Reports from Washington, 1984
812Reports from Washington, 1985
boxfolder
91Reports from Washington, 1986
92Reports from Washington, 1987
93Reports from Washington, 1988
94Reports from Washington, 1989
95Reports from Washington, 1990
96Statements, 1989-1991
97TV spots, 1989



E.
previous hitConstituent next hit Mailings

( 0.5 box(es) ) ( (.25 linear feet) )
Arranged chronologically by year. This subseries includes newsletters and printed material sent to Rowland's previous hitconstituents next hit. The newsletters are particularly noteworthy as they often include statements from Rowland on current issues of interest to his previous hitconstituents next hit (similar to those found in the "Reports from Washington") as well as Special Reports focusing on issues such as drug abuse and agriculture. Also included are cards sent announcing town hall meetings and forums.
boxfolder
98Announcements, 1990-1992
99Newsletters, 1983-1991



F. Correspondence

( 0.5 box(es) ) ( (.25 linear feet) )
Arranged chronologically. This subseries includes correspondence sent to Rowland from previous hitconstituents and from colleagues and various organizations. The latter are mostly form letters inviting Rowland to events or announcing upcoming meetings.
boxfolder
910Correspondence, 1983-1992



G. Publications

( 0.5 box(es) ) ( (.25 linear feet) )
Arranged alphabetically. This subseries consists of newsletters and other publications received by Rowland's office; articles written by Rowland for various publications, most notably a history of physicians who served in Congress; and several articles written about Rowland, primarily focusing on his dual role as a doctor and a congressman, including an interview that appeared in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
boxfolder
911Articles written by Rowland, 1986, 1990-1992
912Articles written about Rowland, 1984-1992
913Newsletters received by Rowland, 1984-1994
914Macon and Middle Georgia Black Pages, 1991
915Product liability background information, 1991