Max Cleland Papers, Series IV. Political and Personal

Max Cleland Papers, Series IV. Political and Personal

Descriptive Summary

Title: Max Cleland Papers, Series IV. Political and Personal
Creator: Cleland, Max, 1942-2021
Inclusive Dates: 1957-2005
Bulk Dates: 1996-2002
Language(s): English
Extent: 9 box(es) (9 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL157MC_IV
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Cleland represented Georgia in the U.S. Senate (1997-2002), with previous service as a Georgia state senator, head of the Veterans Administration, and Georgia Secretary of State. Series IV. Political and Personal contains general information about Cleland's political career, including campaign materials, brief correspondence, financial disclosure reports, and weekly schedules.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Max Cleland was born in 1942 in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned a B.A. from Stetson University and a M.A. in history from Emory University in 1968. After one year at Emory, he joined the Army to fight in the Vietnam War, reaching the rank of captain. He served from 1965 to 1968, when he was injured by a grenade and lost both legs and his right arm.

Cleland began a life-long career in politics when he was elected to the Georgia state senate in 1970, the youngest member ever elected. He served as a consultant to Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs (1975-1977) and was appointed head of the Veterans Administration in 1977 by President Carter. He was the first Vietnam veteran to hold that post.

Following the end of Carter's presidential term, Cleland returned to Georgia and was elected as Georgia Secretary of State in 1982. In this position, he was responsible for enforcing regulations related to commerce, industry and licensing in the state, maintaining the state's records, and overseeing elections. He was re-elected for three more terms. He resigned during the fourth term to run for U.S. Senate to replace retiring senator Sam Nunn. Cleland, a Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 1996. Among his contributions were working on campaign finance reform, military policy (including advocating caution with U.S. peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans), taxes, commerce, improved conditions for armed services personnel, maintaining a competitive air travel industry, and voting reform. He was also part of a bipartisan panel that investigated the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. Cleland represented Georgia in the Senate until 2002, when he lost a close race to Saxby Chambliss.

After leaving the Senate, Cleland has remained active in politics, campaigning for Democrats and giving motivational speeches around the country. Since 2009, he has served as Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Source: Grant, Chris. "Max Cleland (b. 1942)." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 26 August 2013. Web. 17 April 2014.

Scope and Content

Series IV. Political and Personal contains general information about Cleland's political career, including campaign materials, brief correspondence, financial disclosure reports, and weekly schedules. Of note are reports by consultants Plante and Associates evaluating Cleland's career for information his opponents might use against him in upcoming political campaigns. The series also includes newspaper clippings and magazines about Cleland's life, including his service in Vietnam, and a letter sent to Cleland's parents by the U.S. Army regarding the injuries he sustained in Vietnam.

Organization and Arrangement

This series is organized into 5 subseries: A. Campaigns, B. Correspondence, C. Financial Disclosure Reports, D. Schedules and Events, and E. Personal.

Because of the size of this collection, the remainder of the series are described in separate finding aids. A collection summary, including links to each of these series finding aids, is available online: Max Cleland Papers: Collection Summary.


Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This series is open for research use with the following exception: Political opponent research, 1996-2002, is restricted for 25 years from date of creation.

This series 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.

Preferred citation

Max Cleland 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 by Adriane Hanson, 2014 May.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 079 Max Cleland

Zell Miller Papers

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Max Cleland Collection at Stetson University Special Collections

Max Cleland Papers at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Series IV. Political and Personal, 1957-2005 (1996-2002)

9 box(es) (9 linear feet)
Series IV. Political and Personal contains general information about Cleland's political career, including campaign materials, including his loss to Saxby Chambliss in 2002, brief correspondence, financial disclosure reports, and weekly schedules. Of note are reports by consultants Plante and Associates evaluating Cleland's career for information that could be used against him in upcoming political campaigns. The series also includes newspaper clippings and magazines about Cleland's life, including his service in Vietnam, and a letter sent to Cleland's parents by the U.S. Army regarding the injuries he sustained in Vietnam.
This series is open for research use with the following exception: Political opponent research, 1996-2002, is restricted for 25 years from date of creation.
Subseries A. Campaign Files 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.
This series is organized into 5 subseries: A. Campaigns, B. Correspondence, C. Financial Disclosure Reports, D. Schedules and Events, and E. Personal.



Subseries A. Campaigns , 1993-2005

( 3 box(es) (2.25 linear feet) )
Subseries A. Campaigns documents Cleland's campaigns to be elected in 1996 and his loss to Saxby Chambliss in 2002. The files include correspondence, reports produced by consultants Plante and Associates evaluating Cleland's career for information that could be used against him in upcoming political campaigns, and files from a lawsuit challenging his election in 2000.
This subseries is open for research use with the following exception: Political opponent research, 1996-2002, is restricted for 25 years from date of creation.
This subseries 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.
Political Research Report on Joseph Maxwell Cleland by Plante & Associates
boxfolder
IV.11Book One: Executive Summary, 1996 May
IV.12Book One: Significant Dates, 1996 May
IV.13-4Book One: Ethics Investigation - Facts About the Violations, 1996 May
IV.15Book One: Ethics Investigation - Testimony Misleading, 1996 May
IV.16Book One: Ethics Investigation - Whistle Blower Fired, 1996 May
IV.17Book Two: Ethics Investigation - Subpeanoded Phone Records, 1996 May
IV.18Book Two: Ethics Investigation - Political Memorandum, 1996 May
IV.19Book Two: Ethics Investigation - Campaign Gifts Paid By State, 1996 May
IV.110Book Two: More Work Found On State Time, 1996 May
IV.111Book Two: Staff Does Personal Work For Cleland, 1996 May
IV.112Book Two: Personal Mail Sent From SOS [Secretary of State] Office, 1996 May
IV.113Book Two: Misusing Campaign Funds, 1996 May
IV.114Book Two: Phone Sex Conversations, 1996 May
IV.115Book Two: 1971 Auto Accident, 1996 May
IV.116Book Two: Sexual Harassment Tolerated, 1996 May
IV.117Book Two: Scandal in Oversight Boards, 1996 May
IV.118Book Two: Tax Left Unpaid For Five Years, 1996 May
IV.119Book Two: VA [Veterans Administration] Years - Cleland Awards Contracts to BC, 1996 May
IV.120Book Two: VA [Veterans Administration] Years - Fraud, Abuse in Contract Awards, 1996 May
IV.121Book Two: Minority Contract System Abused, 1996 May
IV.122Book Three: VA [Veterans Administration] Years - Agent Orange Policy, 1996 May
IV.123Book Three: VA [Veterans Administration] Years - Criticism of Max as Administrator, 1996 May
IV.124Book Three: Secretary of State Research - Travel Expense Records, 1996 May
IV.125Book Three: Secretary of State Research - Audits of the SOS [Secretary of State], 1996 May
IV.126Book Three: Georgia Senate Years - Voting Records for Civil Rights, 1996 May
IV.127Book Three: Georgia Senate Years - Voting Records for Taxes, 1996 May
IV.128Book Three: Georgia Senate Years - Voting Records for Crime, 1996 May
IV.129Book Three: Georgia Senate Years - Voting Records for Legislative Salary and Ethics, 1996 May
IV.130Book Three: Georgia Senate Years - Bills and Resolutions Introduced, 1996 May
IV.131Book Three: Georgia Senate Years - Miscellaneous (Is Max Hard to Work For), 1996 May
IV.132Book Three: Senate Journals for 1971 and 1972, 1996 May
IV.133Book Four: Senate Journals for 1973, 1996 May
IV.134-35Book Four: Senate Journals for 1974, 1996 May
IV.136Political Research Report on Joseph Maxwell Cleland by Plante and Associates, 1996 May
IV.137[Voter Surveys and Correspondence], 1993-1997
IV.138Research Report on US Senator Max Cleland Prepared by Plante and Associates - Volume 1 (1 of 2), 2002 August
boxfolder
IV.21Research Report on US Senator Max Cleland Prepared by Plante and Associates - Volume 1 (2 of 2), 2002 August
IV.22-3Research Report on US Senator Max Cleland Prepared by Plante and Associates - Volume 2, 2002 August
IV.24-5Research Report on US Senator Max Cleland Prepared by Plante and Associates - Volume 3, 2002 August
boxfolder
R16[Research on Saxby Chambliss], circa 2002
Political opponent research is restricted for 25 years from date of creation. Opens January 1, 2028.
R17-8[Checklist for Saxby Chambliss, Includes Votes, Expenditures, Clippings and Legislation], 1999-2002
Political opponent research is restricted for 25 years from date of creation. Opens January 1, 2028.
R19[Campaign - Saxby Chambliss], 2002
Political opponent research is restricted for 25 years from date of creation. Opens January 1, 2028.
boxfolder
IV.210[Clippings], 2002 September 23-October 1
IV.211[Clippings], 2002 May-August
IV.212Cleland Clips, 2002 September 13
IV.213[Articles, Clippings and Other Materials Related to 2002 Senatorial Race], 2002
IV.214Cleland - [Clippings], 2002 September 12
IV.215[Clippings], 2002 September 11-24
IV.216[Selective Service Record for Joseph M. Cleland and Saxby Chambliss], 2002
IV.217[Clippings], 2002 October 5-11
IV.218Cleland - [Clippings], 2002 September 24
IV.219[Clippings], 2002 October 12-25
IV.220[Clippings], 2002 September 27-October 11
IV.221Cleland 9/18 - [Clippings], 2002 September 18
IV.222[Clippings Related to Saxby Chambliss], 2002
IV.223Research Report on U.S. Senator Max Cleland Prepared by Plante and Associates, 2002 August
IV.224[Campaign Stationary], undated
IV.225Harold Johnson v. Cleland, 2000
boxfolder
IV.31[Campaign], 1995
IV.32[Staff Directory], undated
IV.33[A Soldier's Prayer, Democratic Party and GA Agenda], 2005
[Opponent File Guy Millner] RBRL157CD021 [electronic files], 1994-1996
Political opponent research is restricted for 25 years from date of creation. Opens January 1, 2022.



Subseries B. Correspondence , 1997-2003

( 2 box(es) (1.75 linear feet) )
Subseries B. Correspondence is composed of brief personal notes and thank you letters.
boxfolder
IV.34-14[Correspondence], 2000-2002
IV.315[Letters of Appreciation], 1997-2000
IV.316[W. L. Columbo Writings on Cleland and "Boondocks" Comic], circa 2003
IV.317State of Georgia vs. Benedict Ow, 2001
IV.318[General Correspondence], 2001
IV.319[General Correspondence], 2001-2002
boxfolder
IV.91Personal: Handwritten- Out of State, 1994
IV.92Personal: Handwritten Notes- In State, 1994
IV.93-4Personal: Correspondence General, 1993-1994
IV.95Letter from Greg McDevitt, undated
IV.96Letters (Various), 1980-1993
IV.97Letter from J. Robert Kerrey, 1992
IV.98Letter from John, 1991
IV.99Letters, 1997-1999
IV.910[Letter from Norman Peale], 1982
IV.911Robert B. Johnson Letter, 1979
IV.912Letter from Ethel Kennedy, undated
IV.913Tony Blair Letter, 1998
IV.914Daniel Patrick Moynihan Letter, 1999
IV.915[Letter from Dan], undated
IV.916[Letter from Jimmy Carter], 1999
IV.917Bill Cohen Letter (?), 1997
IV.918Clinton Trip to Augusta, 1997
IV.919Clinton Letter Re: Post Article on Cleland, 1997
IV.920Cleland with Chaplain (praying), undated
IV.921President Kim Dae-Jung Letter, 1998
IV.922Letter from Dan Rather, 1984
IV.923Letter from Linehan, 1978
IV.924[Letter from Edward Kennedy], 1982
IV.925Letters, 1978
IV.926[Letters], undated
IV.927Letter from Lt. General Moore, 1993
IV.928Letter from Judy Collins, undated



Subseries C. Financial Disclosure Reports , 1996-2002

( 1 box(es) (0.5 linear feet) )
Subseries C. contains the financial disclosure reports Cleland submitted while a member of the U.S. Senate.
boxfolder
IV.41Disclosure Reports, 1999
IV.42Advisory Boards Honorary Positions, 1999-2001
IV.43Disclosure Reports, 2000-2001
IV.442000 Financial Disclosure, 2000
IV.452000 MC [Max Cleland] Reimbursed Travel Expenses, 2000
IV.462001 Financial Disclosure, 2001
IV.47Reimbursement of MC's [Max Cleland] 2001 Travel Expenses, 2001
IV.482002 Disclosure Reports for 2001 Calendar Year, 2001-2002
IV.49[Financial Disclosure Reports], 1996-2000



Subseries D. Schedules and Events , 1983-2004

( 5 box(es) (4 linear feet) )
Subseries D. Schedules and Events documents Cleland's activities while a U.S. senator. The subseries includes weekly itineraries, Microsoft Outlook calendar print outs, invitations and other event descriptions, as well as a few guest books and notes Cleland wrote about several meetings in 1998. The majority of the events were in Georgia, including town festivals, meetings of commerce groups, and visits to military bases.
boxfolder
IV.410Invitations, 1997
IV.411-14Filing, 1997-2000
IV.415Metro Roundtable (Smart Growth), 1999
IV.416Cracker Crumble - Salute to Legends Ball, 1997 March 8
IV.417Winter Break Forscom, Fort McPherson, Macon, Fort Gordon, Augusta, 1997 February 20-21
boxfolder
IV.51Squire's Wedding, 1997 September 19-20
IV.52Wayfield Foods, 1997 August 25
IV.53August Break 1997 - Atlanta, Rome, Dalton, Cobb County, Etc.., 1997 August 12
IV.54July Break - Salute to America Parade, 1997 June 28-July 6
IV.55Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, 1997
IV.56J. Fonda, 1997
IV.57Common Cause, 1997 June 23
IV.58Atlanta Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 1997 June 21
IV.59Coastal Georgia Community College, 1997 June 23
IV.510Hartwell Lake, 1997
IV.511DeKalb Softball; Clayton State University, 1997 May 30
IV.512Tifton-Coastal Plain Experiment Station, 1997 May 29
IV.513Valdosta State University, 1997 May 29
IV.514Moody Air Force Base - Valdosta, 1997 May 29
IV.515Columbus - Office (Fort Benning), 1997 May 28
IV.516Reception - Americus, 1997 May 28
IV.517Office - Atlanta - Columbus, 1997 May 27
IV.518Shrike, 1997
IV.519Museum of Aviation, Saturday, May 17, 1997 (Bill Chapman), 1997 May 17
IV.520B-29 - Bill C. and Staff Rededication, 1997
IV.521North Georgia College, 1997 May 4
IV.522Theresa Perry Wedding, 1997 April 19
IV.523F-22 Rollout, 1997 April 7
IV.524TREA (The Retired Enlisted Association), 1997
IV.525Braves Opening Game, 1997
IV.526Kings Bay Waycross - Albany, 1997
IV.527Human Rights Gross, 1997 March 31
IV.528Cherry Blossom, 1997 March
IV.529Augusta, 1997 March 26
IV.530Outdoor Adventure, Atlanta Area Events, 1997 March 24-25
IV.531Cherry Blossom Festival, 1997
IV.532-34Senators End of the Year Tour, 1998
IV.535Glenn Launch, 1998
IV.536Vidalia Farm Forum, 1998
IV.537Vidalia - Migrant Workers Roundtable, 1998
IV.538Hart and Elbert Event, 1998
IV.539Women Legislators 60th Anniversary, 1998
IV.540Fort Discovery, Bill C., 1997
IV.541Destroyer McFaul - April 25,1998; Ed Feiler Open House, 1998
IV.542European Trip, 1998
IV.543Cracker Crumble, 1998 March 7
IV.544Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, 1998 March 2
IV.545SBA [Small Business Association], 1998
IV.546Honor Teachers Banquet, 1998
IV.547Carter Celebration [Empty], undated
IV.548Class of Lithonia High School, 1997 December 9
IV.549October Break 1997; Women in Construction, 1997 October 4
IV.550Senator Cleland, Georgia Schedule, 1997-1999
IV.551-59Schedules and Events, 1998
boxfolder
IV.61-30Schedules and Events, 1998-2000
boxfolder
IV.71-20Schedules and Events, 2000-2001
boxfolder
IV.81[First Annual Honorary Recovery Luncheon], 2004
IV.82[Schedules and Events], 1998
IV.83Guest Book, 1997
IV.84[Guest Book], 1983-1984
IV.85[Guest Book], 1998-2002



Subseries E. Personal , 1957-2004

( 1 box(es) (0.5 linear feet) )
Subseries E. Personal is mostly newspaper clippings and magazine articles about Cleland's life, including his service in Vietnam. The subseries also includes papers about his memberships to various organizations, and a letter sent to Cleland's parents by the U.S. Army regarding the injuries he sustained in Vietnam.
boxfolder
IV.86-15Newspaper Clippings, 1957-1980
IV.816[Newspaper Clippings Regarding Richard B. Russell, 1999
IV.817Newspaper Clippings, 1999-2004
IV.818[Cavalry], 1968
IV.819[Guidepost], 1978
IV.820[Memberships], 1996
IV.821[Letter to Cleland's Parents regarding his Injuries in Vietnam], circa 1968

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