Mell Traylor Papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Mell Traylor Papers
Creator: Traylor, Mell Randolph, 1949-
Inclusive Dates: 1960-2000
Bulk Dates: 1974-1977
Language(s): English
Extent: 4 box(es) (4.50 linear feet), including 31 photographs and 1 moving image
Extent: (4.50 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL160MT
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The Mell Traylor Papers documents the career of the former State Senator who served two terms from 1974 to 1978. At the age of 25, Traylor became the youngest Georgia to get elected to the State Senate in 1974. This collection includes papers which document Traylor's involvement with politics as a high school student when he was a summer intern for Herman E. Talmadge to his involvement with the Young Democrats at the University of Georgia. Other papers in this collection include campaign material from his 1974 bid for the Senate, correspondence, reports, photographs, and state government publications.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

Mell Traylor was born on August 13, 1949 in South Georgia. From an early age, Traylor was involved with politics in Georgia. As a high school senior, Traylor was selected by Senator Herman E. Talmadge to become a summer intern for the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. As a freshman at the University of Georgia, Traylor was elected President of his class and he was also selected to be an alternate delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Traylor was involved with the Young Democrats and he directed the youth division of Senator Talmadge's re-election campaign.

At the age of 19, Traylor worked full-time as a United States Senate Doorkeeper in the Senate Chamber. Traylor eventually graduated with a BA in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland and returned to Georgia to open a gift shop on River Street in Savannah. In 1974, he bought the Pembroke Journal county newspaper and started Traylor Realty and Construction Company. In 1974, Traylor became the youngest Georgian ever to be elected to the Georgia State Senate in at the age of 25 for the 3rd Georgia Senate District in Pembroke. He won reelection to the seat in 1976 and chose not to seek reelection in 1978.

Traylor was involved with Jimmy Carter's campaign for president in 1976. After an unsuccessful bid for position of the Georgia Public Service Commission in 1980, Traylor left public service until 1999 when Jimmy Carter asked him to become involved with the Carter Peace Center. Traylor campaigned for Lewis Massey, Roy Barnes, and Mark Taylor in their 19998 races for elected office in Georgia. In 1999, under the auspices of the Carter Center, Traylor and his wife traveled to Mozambique as official election monitors. Traylor resides on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Scope and Content

This collection document the political career of Senator Mell Traylor from his earliest involvement as a high school student in the mid-sixties through his years at the University of Georgia to his time as State Senator in the mid-1970s. The papers include mainly campaign material and correspondence and memoranda related to committees Traylor served on. There are some papers related to his second term as senator in 1976. This collection also includes several clippings, state government publications, and photographs.

Organization and Arrangement

The papers in this collection have been arranged loosely by format and subject and then chronologically.

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

None.

Preferred Citation

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

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.

User Restrictions

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2012.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Herman Talmadge Collection

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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1

1

[Campaign Mock-Ups, Ad Slicks], [1974?]

 

1

2

Campaign Advertisement Financial Records, 1974

 

1

3

'74 Campaign - News Releases, 1974

 

1

4

Slides of Campaign Photos (8), 1974

 

1

5

Mell Traylor campaign bumper stickers and buttons, [1974?]

 

1

6

Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign bumper stickers, Carter Mondale button, 1976

 

1

7

I'm a Georgia Democract bumper sticker (2), undated

 

1

8

John F. Kennedy campaign pamphlets, Eugene McCarthy campaign pamblets, [1960?]

 

1

9

"Pierre Howard for Lieutenant Governor" bumper sticker and pamphlet. "Sam Nunn for Senator" pamphlet, 1978, 1990

 

1

10

Photograph of John F. Kennedy taken by Mell Traylor at State Capitol, Columbus, S.C., 1960 October (1 (8x10") b/w)

 

1

11

[Group of unidentified men and women at a meeting at UGA?], [1968?] (4 (4.5x3.5") b/w)

 

1

12

S. Ernest Vandiver and Betty Vandiver posing outside Vandiver Vanwagon Bus, 1972 (1 (8x10") b/w)

 

1

13

Mell Traylor talking to unidentified woman and two children inside store, [1974?] (1 (5x7") b/w)

 

1

14

Mell Traylor walking in field [for campaign ad], 1974 (1 (8x10") b/w)

 

1

15

Mell Traylor, William Sartain, Ms. Edith Smoack, and Senator Roscoe Dean in Senate Chamber, 1976 (1 (5x7") b/w, 1 (8x10") color)

 

1

16

President Jimmy Carter "A Profile in Worldwide Respect" by Mell traylor [facsimile of bust?], undated

 

1

17

Mell Traylor sitting with his son, Bryan, in Senate House, [1974?] (2 (5x7") b/w)

 

1

18

Mell Traylor, George Busbee, and two unidentified men in Governor's office, [1974?] (1 (8x10") color)

 

1

19

Group Photograph of Small Business Advisory Council: Mell Traylor, Bert Blackstock, Kenneth Birdsong, John Dillard, J.W. Roberts, Edward Enous, and George Busbee, [1974?] (1 (5x7") b/w)

 

1

20

Portrait of Mell Traylor, [1974?] (1 (3.5x5") b/w)

 

1

21

Group Photo with Mell Traylor, two unidentified men, one unidentified woman, and Ms. Edith Brooks, 1970s (1 (8x10") color)

 

1

22

Mell Traylor shaking hands with [G.M. Somner?], 1970s (1 (8x10") color)

 

1

23

Mell Traylor and unidentified man standing outside Pepsi-Cola machine, 1974 (1 (8x10") b/w)

 

1

24

Group photograph of twelve men at State Capitol including Mell Traylor and Zell Miller, 1974[?] (1 (8x10") b/w)

 

1

25

Mell Traylor standing outside main street of unidentified town, 1974 (1 (8x10") b/w)

 

1

26

Photograph of Sam Nunn, 1970s (1 (5x7") b/w)

 

1

27

Laminated photograph of Herman Talmadge and child, [1990s?] (1 (6x6") color)

 

1

28

[Photograph of Mell Traylor?], 1990s (1 (4x6") color)

 

1

29

Eugene Talmadge of Georgia [Biography?], undated

 

1

30

Alpha Phi Certificate, 1968 April 7

 

1

31

Georgia Delegrations Bulletin to Democratic National Convention, Member List for Student Government Association, 1968

 

1

32

Letters written to James Bentley, 1968

 

1

33

[Badges, Business Card, & Courtesy Card for Mell Traylor], 1970s

 

1

34

Invitations, 1973-1977

 

1

35

State Senator Mell Traylor's Resume, undated

 

1

36

State Senate Stationary, [1974]

 

1

37

1967 Executive Appointment Book [pages photocopies for preservation], 1967

 

1

38

1975 Personal Pocket Diary, 1975

 

1

39

Clippings, 1974-1978, 1999

 

1

40

Clippings, 1974-1975

 

1

41

[Lobbyists Registered in the Docket of Legislative Appearance], 1974

 

1

42

[Long County Presentments, Tax Payers Association Proposal, Estate Tax Exemption Correspondence], 1974

 

1

43

[Proposal and Correspondence regarding establishment of Savannah State College as Official Repository for Black History and Culture], 1975

 

1

44

Senate Bills Proposed by Mell Traylor, 1975-1976

 

1

45

Department of Transportation, State of Georgia Report/Correspondence on Roadbuilding Projects in Chatham County, 1975 June 11

 

1

46

Commitee organization & functions in the Georgia Senate Worksheet, [1974]

 

1

47

[Reports on Georgia Rehabilitation Center and Georgia Warm Springs Hospital from the Committee on Human Resources], 1975

 

1

48

[Resolutions and Acts Supported by Mell Traylor including "Adequate Program for Education in Georgia Act", "The Small Business Assistance Act of 1975"], 1975

 

1

49

The Council of State Governments Summary of A Seminar on Privacy, 1975

 

1

50

State Senators Elect 1977-78 Term, 1976 November 3

 

1

51

Executive Orders by the Governor of Georgia, 1977

 

1

52

Summary of Major Legislation Passed by the 1977 Georgia General Assembly, 1977

 

1

53

Financial Disclosure Forms State Senate 3rd District, Georgia, 1974-1976

 

1

54

Mell Traylor vs. The Democratic Party of Georgia, 1977

 

1

55

[List of Supporters], 1980

 

1

56

Affidavit to Qualify for Democratic Party Public Service Commissioner Nomination, 1980 June 6

 

1

57

[Foster Child Report and Case History], 1985, 1992

 

1

58

Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit for the Position of State Senator, 1974, 1976

 

1

59

Press Releases by Mell Traylor and Georgia Senate, 1975-1976

 

1

60

Letters to Mell Traylor from various politicians, 1968-1974

 

1

61

Correspondence and Memoranda to Members of General Assembly, 1974-1975

 

1

62

Outgoing Correspondence, 1975

 

1

63

[Speeches and Remarks by Louis Harris, Mell Traylor, and Zell Miller], 1975

 

1

64

[Notes and Memorandum from Georgia General Assembly Committees other local Coastal Georgia Committees], 1975-1977

 

1

65

Letters and Correspondence [Topics include University System of Georgia Board of Regents, Congratulations on winning race, Coastal Georgia Development], 1967-1977

 

1

66

1975 General Assembly Publicity Files (folder 1 of 2), 1975

 

1

67

1975 General Assembly Publicity Files (folder 2 of 2), 1975

 

1

68

1976 General Assembly Publicity Files, 1976

 

1

69

Engineering Experiment Station Report, Georgia No-Fault Insurance Information Kit, 1974, 1975 October

 

1

70

Campaign and Financial Disclosure Act, 1974

 

1

71

1975 Directory of Georgia Municipal Officials , 1975

 

1

72

The Georgia Democrat, Let's Preserve Our Freedom by G.H. Achenbach, 1980

 

1

73

133 Session of Georgia General Assembly, 1975-1976

 

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2

1

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol.1 General Acts, [beginning pages] pgs. 1-32; Vol 2. Local Acts and Resolutions, pgs. 2501-2564, cover letter, 1975

 

2

2

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 1 General: pgs. 1217-1312; Vol. 2 Local: pgs. 3621-3844; index, 1975

 

2

3

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 1 General: pgs. 1313-1440; Vol. 2 Local: pgs. 3845-4036; index, 1975

 

2

4

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 1 General: pgs. 1487-1536; Vol. 2 Local: pgs. 4037-4260, 1975

 

2

5

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 1 General: pgs. 1537-1600; Vol. 2 Local: pgs. 4261-4516; index, 1975

 

2

6

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 1 General: pgs. 1601-1664; Vol. 2 Local: pgs. 4517-4772, 1975

 

2

7

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 1 General: pgs. 1665-1887; Vol. 2 Local: pgs. 4837-4804, 1975

 

2

8

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Acts & Resolutions pgs. 1889-2131; Local & Special Acts and Resolutions pgs. 4869-4932, 1975

 

2

9

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session, General Acts & Resolutions, pgs/ 417-576; Local & Special Acts & Resolutions, pgs. 2821-2980; index, 1975

 

2

10

Sections, Georgia Laws 1975 Session Vol. 2 Local Laws: pgs. 4933-5133 & cover letter

 

2

11

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1975 April

 

2

12

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1975 May

 

2

13

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1975 June

 

2

14

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1975 July

 

2

15

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1975 August

 

2

16

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1976 July

 

2

17

Rules and Regulations, State of Georgia, 1978 October

 

2

18

Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 96th Congress, First Session, 1979 October 11

 

2

19

Voter Registrars 1974, Effingham County 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 1559th Districts, 1974

 

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OS 1

Mell Traylor Coastal Georgia's State Senator posters (3), 1974

 

OS 1

Senator Traylor Kept His Promises to You! [campaign mailer], 1976

 

OS 1

The Liberty County Herald Unofficial County Returns, Primary Election, 1974 August 13

 

OS 1

Elect "Bo"Ginn Political Ad, [1972?]

 

OS 1

[State of Georgia Office of the Secretary of State Certificate of Citizenship for Mell Traylor], 1968 July 18

 

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OS 2

Scrapbook , 1967-1969

 

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mapcase

Kennedy for President, Johnson for Vice President Poster, 1960

 

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UC RBRL160MT-VHS_0001

1974 and 1976 Campaign TV Ads, 1974-1976 ( 1 moving_image(s) )

Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request. Research requests will be filled as soon as possible and will be dependent upon the condition of the recordings.