George W. (Buddy) Darden Papers: Collection Summary

George W. (Buddy) Darden Papers: Collection Summary

Descriptive Summary

Title: George W. (Buddy) Darden Papers: Collection Summary
Creator: Darden, George, 1943-
Inclusive Dates: 1942-2004
Bulk Dates: 1965-1995
Language(s): English
Extent: 277 box(es) (273.25 linear feet, 4 megabytes, and 256 audiovisual items)
Collection Number: RBRL079GWD
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: George (Buddy) Darden served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995. Darden's papers document his service in Congress and include constituent correspondence, legislative files, press files, speeches, and office files.

Collection Description

Historical Note

George Washington "Buddy" Darden was born in Sparta, Georgia, on November 22, 1943. He attended North Georgia College, and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1965. He was selected to serve in Senator Richard B. Russell's patronage program in Washington, D.C. He received his law degree from the University of Georgia Law School in 1967, and served as assistant district attorney in Cobb County from 1968 to 1972, when he was elected district attorney.

In 1980, he was elected as a Democrat to the Georgia House of Representatives, and served on the Judiciary Committee. After the death of U.S. Representative Larry McDonald, Darden won the special election to take his seat in 1983. In congress, he served on several committees, including the House Armed Services, Ethics, and Appropriations. In 1994, he lost his reelection bid, and unsuccessfully campaigned for congress in 2002. He served under Governor Roy Barnes as chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Since 1995, he has been with the law firm McKenna, Long & Aldridge. President Clinton appointed him to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. After Clinton left office, Darden began doing work for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, traveling to various countries including Indonesia and Senegal. Darden has also represented Georgia's interests in the water disputes with Alabama and Florida.

Scope and Content

Darden's papers document his service in Congress and include constituent correspondence, legislative files, press files, speeches, and office files. Common subjects include the economy, environmental policy, gun control, medical care, the military, national parks, and taxes.

Organization and Arrangement

This collection is organized into 8 series: I. Constituent Services, II. Legislative, III. Speeches and Press, IV. Political, V. Personal, VI. Office, VII. Photographs, and VIII. Artifacts.


Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research with the following exceptions:

Series I, Series II, Series III, Series IV, and Series V contain electronic files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use.

Audivisual Materials Series: User reference copies of the audiovisual recordings may be available upon requst. Availability is dependent upon the condition of the recordings.

Preferred Citation

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

Conditions Governing Use

Library acts as a "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 by Adriane Hanson and Jordan Graham (student assistant), September 2016.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 035 Buddy Darden

Democratic Party of Georgia Papers, Audiovisual Materials

Ed L. Jenkins Papers

Mack F. Mattingly Papers

Zell Miller Papers, Series IX: Audiovisual Material

J. Roy Rowland Papers

Robert Lindsay Thomas Papers


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Series I: Constituent Services, 1979-1995 (1985-1995)

117 box(es) (117 linear feet, 685 kilobytes)
Series I: Constituent Services contains correspondence from Darden's constituents and his responses, as well as results from a survey he sent constituents about health care reform and office materials for keeping track of constituent mail. Darden's constituents wrote him about a wide variety of concerns related to Georgia and national legislation, notably Medicare, Social Security, taxes, gun control, and to a lesser extent abortion, the environment, the Iran Contra scandal and Oliver North, labor and trade regulations, and the military.
Divided into five subseries: A. Issue Mail, B. Health Care Reform Questionnaire, C. Projects and Grants, D. Response Form Letters, and E. Administration.
Subseries E contains electronic files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Issue Mail, 1984-1994

( 101 box(es) )



B. Health Care Reform Questionnaire, 1994

( 5 box(es) )



C. Projects and Grants, 1983-1994

( 5 box(es) )



D. Response Form Letters, 1979-1989

( 3 box(es) )



E. Administration, 1984-1994

( 3 box(es) (includes 684 kilobytes) )
 

Series II: Legislative, 1964-1996

112 box(es) (112 linear feet, 875 kilobytes)
Series II: Legislative documents Darden's committee service, legislation considered during his terms, and his voting record. The committee files include correspondence, hearings transcripts, meeting minutes, draft legislation, and publications of the Appropriations Committee (FY94 and FY95), the Armed Services Committee, and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, as well as a draft manual by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Significant issues considered by the Armed Services Committee during this time include the Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm), Dobbins Air Force Base, military spending, and research and development of new weapons. The main concerns addressed by the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs includes national parks, water resources and wetlands, and to a lesser extent handling nuclear waste and Native Americans. Both Darden's files on bills and his subject files concern legislation and include correspondence with colleagues, advocacy groups and constituents, Democratic Party memos, clippings and publications, and copies of bills. Main subjects include the government budget, the environment, health care, taxes, and to a lesser extent agriculture and animal grazing, business and labor, combating crime, education, foreign affairs, gun control, and the military. The series also contains Darden's voting record and analysis of Congress's voting record by various groups.
Divided into four subseries: A. Committees, B. Bills, C. Subject Files, and D. Voting Records.
Series II: Legislative contains electronic files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Committees, 1986-1994

( 39 box(es) )



B. Bills, 1964-1994

( 17 box(es) )



C. Subject Files, 1984-1994

( 55 box(es) (includes 875 kilobytes) )



D. Voting Record, 1983-1994

( 2 box(es) )
 

Series III: Speeches and Press, 1984-1994

4 box(es) (3.5 linear feet, 1.4 megabytes)
Series III: Speeches and Press documents Darden's public statements and includes copies of speeches, press releases, radio addresses, address from the floor, newsletters sent to his constituents, and newspaper clippings about Darden's career and views. Major topics include the military, the government budget, business and economy, and events in his district in Georgia.
Divided into five subseries: A. Press Assistant Files, B. Speeches, C. Newsletter, D. Congressional Record, and E. Press Clippings.
This series is open for research use.
This series contains electronic files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Press Assistant Files, 1984-1993

( 2 box(es) (Includes 485 kilobytes) )



B. Speeches, 1987-1994

( 1 box(es) (includes 840 kilobytes) )



C. Newsletter, 1987-1991

( 1 box(es) (includes 45 kilobytes) )



D. Congressional Record, 1985-1993

( 1 box(es) (includes 75 kilobytes) )



E. Press Clippings, 1984-1992

( 3 box(es) )
 

Series IV: Political , 1942-2004 (1985-1995)

8 box(es) (8 linear feet, 400 kilobytes)
Series IV: Political includes files about Darden's campaigns, the Democratic Party leadership and policy positions, correspondence with colleagues about upcoming legislation, the Seventh District of Georgia, and subject files. Papers about the Seventh District include constituent surveys, discussions about redistricting, publications on area industries and local issues, logistics for meetings between Darden and citizen groups, and files on the annual art competition for high school students. Main topics covered by the subject files include analysis of the 1990 U.S. Census data, how aspects of Congress function, government programs, and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Divided into five subseries: A. Campaigns, B. Democratic Party, C. Correspondence, D. Seventh District of Georgia, and E. Subject Files.
This series is open for research use.
This series contains electronic files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Campaigns, 1985-2004

( 3 box(es) (140 kilobytes) )



B. Democratic Party, 1986-1994

( 2 box(es) )



C. Correspondence, 1942-1994

( 1 box(es) )



D. Seventh District of Georgia, 1981-1996

( 2 box(es) (includes 255 kilobytes) )



E. Subject Files, 1973-1998

( 3 box(es) )
 

Series V: Personal, 1970-1996

25 box(es) (24.25 linear feet, 700 kilobytes)
Series V: Personal includes Darden's daily schedules of events and meetings, general correspondence, biographical materials such as newspaper clippings and press releases, and accepted invitations. Much of the correspondence is thank you, congratulations, condolence, and other personal notes between Darden and constituents or other politicians. The invitations include notices or letters about political, civic, or social events that Darden attended, as well as requests for meetings with him and memos with agendas for upcoming Congressional committee or caucus meetings.
Divided into four subseries: A. Schedules, B. Correspondence, C. Biographical and Memberships, and D. Invitations.
Subseries B contains electronic files. To access these files, please request the folders you would like through the finding aid using your research account. An archivist will be in contact with you to explain how to access the files. Please note that not all file formats are currently supported by the library for research use.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Schedules, 1983-1994

( 3 box(es) )



B. Correspondence, 1970-1996

( 14 box(es) (includes 700 kilobytes) )



C. Biographical and Memberships, 1983-1995

( 2 box(es) )



D. Invitations, 1984-1994

( 7 box(es) )
 

Series VI: Office, 1978-2002

7 box(es) (6.5 linear feet)
Series VI. Office documents the administration of Darden's D.C. office. It includes his financial disclosure forms, logistics for event planning and travel, files on his staff, office policies, and subject files. The subject files cover granting agencies, government programs, how areas of the government work, and topics of interest to his constituents.
This series is divided into four subseries: A. Financial, B. Events and Travel, C. Staff and Office Policies, and D. Subject Files.
This series is open for research.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Financial, 1984-1993

( 1 box(es) )



B. Events and Travel, 1984-1999

( 3 box(es) )



C. Staff and Office Policies, 1984-1994

( 2 box(es) )



D. Subject Files, 1981-2002

( 4 box(es) )
 

Series VII: Photographs, 1975-1998

8 box(es) (6 linear feet)
Series VII: Photographs contains images of Darden during campaign fundraisers and with supporters, at event receptions or delivering speeches, during visits to military bases, and with groups. The series also includes photographs of Darden visiting a hurricane-damaged area in 1994 and with Al Gore, James Carville, and Mary Matalin at a Superbowl event.
Divided into four subseries: A. Campaigns, B. Events, C. Portraits and Groups, and D. Albums.
This series is open for research.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Campaigns, 1980-1994

( 2 box(es) )



B. Events, 1975-1995

( 2 box(es) )



C. Portraits and Groups, 1980-1998

( 2 box(es) )



D. Albums, 1984-1991

( 2 box(es) )
 

Series VIII: Artifacts, 1964-2000 (1983-1993)

18 box(es) (15.25 linear feet)
Series VIII: Artifacts contains campaign memorabilia, Congressional commissions, models of military airplanes, cartoons, awards and certificates of appreciation, and office signs. The series also includes items from the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and an airplane sent to protest funding for the C-17 airplane.
Divided into four subseries: A. Committees, B. Political, C. Personal, D. Office.
This series is open for research.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.



A. Committees, circa 1983-1995

( 4 box(es) )



B. Political, 1964-2000

( 11 box(es) )



C. Personal, 1964-2000

( 6 box(es) )



D. Office, circa 1983-1995

( 5 box(es) )
 

Audiovisual Materials, 1984-2002

256 item(s)
The George W. (Buddy) Darden Papers Audiovisual Materials contain recordings documenting Darden's career as a U.S. Congressman. Included are copies of radio and television spots for Darden's campaigns, recordings of House floor proceedings, and recordings of appearances by Darden on public programming.
George W. (Buddy) Darden Papers, Audiovisual Materials are arranged by format.
User reference copies of the audiovisual recordings may be available upon requst. Availability is dependent upon the condition of the recordings.
To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

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