Request Material





Robert Lindsay Thomas Papers, Series III: Personal

Robert Lindsay Thomas Papers, Series III: Personal

Descriptive Summary

Title: Robert Lindsay Thomas Papers, Series III: Personal
Creator: Thomas, Robert Lindsay, 1943-
Inclusive Dates: 1981-1995
Language(s): English
Extent: 15 box(es) (15 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL179RLT_III
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Robert Lindsay Thomas represented the First Congressional District of Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1992. Series III: Personal contains personal files related to Thomas's political career, service on the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, and involvement with other organizations.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Lindsay Thomas, a Democrat, was elected in 1983 to represent the First Congressional District of Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his terms, he served in different capacities on the Agriculture Committee (1983/1984; 1985/1986), Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee (1983/1984; 1985/1986), and Appropriations Committee (1989/1990; 1991/1992), and served as co-chair for the Wetlands Task Force and the Forestry 2000 Taskforce. Thomas gained a reputation for his middle-of-the-road views and for supporting environmental causes. He chose not to run for another term in 1992.

After leaving the House, Thomas first worked as director of governmental affairs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. He became president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in 1996, building the organization into a powerful lobbying force for Georgia businesses. From 1998 to 2002, he served as the federal commissioner of the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Tri-State Water Compacts, and in 2002 he became senior vice president of governmental affairs for AGL Resources.

Robert Lindsay Thomas was born on November 20, 1943 in Patterson, Georgia and earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of Georgia in 1965. Prior to his political career, Thomas worked as an investment banker and stockbroker until 1973, when he took over management of a farm he inherited. He also served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972.

Scope and Content

Robert Lindsay Thomas Papers, Series III: Personal contains personal correspondence, accepted invitations, certificates for awards he received from governmental and civic groups, and papers related to his involvement with various organizations, notably the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. The personal correspondence is with Congressmen and constituents next hit and includes thank you notes, exchanges of pleasantries with colleagues, sympathy notes after a death, and brief informational letters. The series also includes correspondence with his family, the transcript of an interview with Thomas during his first year in Congress, and his journal entries from November 29 to December 8, 1982 after he was elected to Congress for the first time.

Organization and Arrangement

This series is organized into six subseries: A. Personal Correspondence, B. Awards, C. Biographical and Family, D. Subject Files, E. Invitations, and F. Olympics. The rest of Thomas's Papers are described in separate finding aids: Series I: District Office, Series II: Political, Series IV: Legislative, Series V: previous hitConstituent next hit Services, Series VI: Press Relations and Media Activities, Series VII: Office Administration, Series VIII: Photographs, Series IX: Artifacts, and Audiovisual Materials.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

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

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 by Adriane Hanson, 2012.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Environmental law.
Legislators -- Georgia -- Correspondence.
Thomas, Robert Lindsay, 1943-
United States. Congress--previous hitConstituent communication.
United States. Congress. House.

Related Collections in this Repository

Williamson S. Stuckey Papers, Series III: Legislative

Braswell D. Deen, Sr. Papers

Thomas W. Hardwick Papers

J. Roy Rowland Papers, Series II, Subseries A: Legislative Directors' Files

J. Roy Rowland Papers, Series II, Subseries B: Legislative Assistants' Files

Herman E. Talmadge Collection, Subgroup C, Series VIII: Legislation


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

III. Personal, 1981-1995



A. Personal Correspondence

box
III.1Personal Correspondence (22 folders), 1983-1991
box
III.2Personal Correspondence (15 folders), 1991-1992
boxfolder
III.31Personal Correspondence, 1992
boxfolder
III.119Miscellaneous, 1984 January-June
III.1110Miscellaneous, 1984 July-December
III.1111Miscellaneous, 1985 January-June
III.1112Miscellaneous, 1985 July-August
III.1113Acknowledgements, 1985
box
III.12Personal Correspondence (25 folders), 1985-1989
box
III.13Personal Correspondence (24 folders), 1989-1992



B. Awards

boxfolder
III.32A Tip of the WSOJ [Southern Gospel Radio Station] Hat Certificate of Appreciation, 1983 June 14
III.33Presentation of Gold Membership in the Governor's Club by Governor Joe Frank Harris, 1983 July 15
III.34Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Georgia Association of Student Councils, 1984 April 13
III.35Honorary Membership to the Future Problem Solving Program, 1984 April 15
III.36Certificate of Appreciation, Military Order of the World Wars, for Efforts to Secure Federal Funding for the New Savannah River Bridge, 1987 May 16
III.37The Propeller Club of the United States Certificate of Appreciations, 1987 May 22
III.38Certificate of Appreciation, Meter High School Class of 1987, 1987 May 29
III.39Bicentennial Station, We The People, A Nation's Voice, Philadelphia, PA, 1987 July 16
III.310Bicentennial Station, We The People, Shipping, Philadelphia, PA, 1987 August 22
III.311Certificate from Family Life of Savannah, 1987 November 13-14
III.312Certificate of Appreciation from the National League of Postmasters and Its Members, 1988 May 24
III.313Certification Stating that Thomas was Duly Elected to the Office of United States Congressman, 1988 December 15
III.314Sketch by Chris Youngbluth presented to Thomas by Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and Liberty County Industrial Authority, 1989
III.315Sound Dollar Award, 1989
III.316Certificate of Appreciation, Savannah Council "98", The Navy League of the United States, 1990 August 28
III.317Proclamation of Observance of January 18, 1990 as "Congressman Lindsay Thomas Day" in Patterson and Blackshear, Georgia, 1990 January 18
III.318Certification of Election to Office of U.S. Congressman by Governor Joe Frank Harris, 1990 November 21
III.319Sound Dollar Award, 1990
III.320Farmers Union Award, Recognition of Outstanding Voting Record during the 2nd Session of the 101st Congress, 1991 June 20
III.321Certificate of Appreciation to Representative Lindsay Thomas, Speaker at Transportation and Safety Seminary, 1991 July 29
III.322Resolution to Name a Segment of S.R. 38/U.S. 84 the Lindsey Thomas Highway, 1995 April 20
III.323Lindsay Thomas Plaques [Photocopies], 1983-1991
III.324Appreciation for Serving as Guest Speaker at the Rotary Club of Swainsboro, Georgia, undated
III.325Citation for Outstanding Service in Reducing Federal Government Waste and Inefficiency through Participation in the Grace Caucus, undated
III.326Green Thumb, Inc. Certificate of Appreciation, undated



C. Biographical and Family

boxfolder
III.327Biographies, 1983-1988
III.328Charity (Pay Raise Donations), 1990
III.329Family Correspondence, 1983
III.330Family Correspondence, 1984
III.331Gridiron, 1983
III.332Interview with Lindsay after Grenada, Etc. (Press School), circa 1983
III.333Retirement from Congress, 1992 November
III.334Thomas Personal Journal Entries, 1982 November 29-December 8
III.335White House Correspondence, 1991 November 15
boxfolder
III.141Pencil Sketch of Cartoon Showing a Texan Man Threatening Thomas with Hitler, while Thomas Imagines Shooting the Texan and a Crowd looks on Confused by the Argument, undated
III.142Lindsay's Biographical Info, undated
III.143Family Correspondence, 1986
III.144Family Correspondence, 1985
III.145Family Correspondence, 1987
III.146Lindsay Thomas Jr. [The Statesboro Hi-Owl], 1988 May 25
III.147Lindsay Thomas' Legislative Accomplishment, undated
III.148Marilyn Fry [Thomas's Sister-In-Law], 1985
III.149Marilyn Fry [Thomas's Sister-In-Law], 1987
III.1410Membership/Sponsorship, 1984-1985
III.1411Membership/Sponsorship, 1984
III.1412Membership/Sponsorship, 1985-1986
III.1413Membership/Sponsorship, 1986-1987
III.1414Memberships, 1988
III.1415Lindsay Thomas Personal Information, 1981-1984
III.1416Lindsay Thomas Personal Information, 1984-1988



D. Subject Files

boxfolder
III.336The Blacksear Times, 1990 January 10
III.337Jim Cromartie, 1984
III.338The Emanuel County Taxpayer's Association Mail-Out, undated
III.339Evans County 4-H Awards Program, 1983
III.340Expo Seminar, 1984
III.341Miscellaneous Information [Pamphlets and Memos] (folder 1 of 2), 1983-1985
III.342Miscellaneous Information [Pamphlets and Memos] (folder 2 of 2), 1983-1985
III.343Newspaper Article on Melinda Thomas and Ginny Galvin's Tour of Homes, 1983 August 10
III.344Report Copies, undated
III.345School Packets, 1990-1991
III.346Tongass National Forest, 1988
boxfolder
III.1417Belfair Dove Shoot, 1985
III.1418Carter Center, 1985-1986
III.1419Chair for Human Rights, 1985
III.1420Carter Center, 1988
III.1421Chair for Human Rights, 1987
III.1422Cumberland Island, 1988
III.1423Ducks Unlimited, 1985-1987
III.1424Ducks Unlimited, 1989 November-December
III.1425Ducks Unlimited, 1988-1990
III.1426Ducks Unlimited, 1988
III.1427Georgia 2000: Future Growth and Human and Natural Resources (folder 1 of 2), 1984-1985
III.1428Georgia 2000: Future Growth and Human and Natural Resources (folder 2 of 2), 1984-1985
III.1429Georgia 2000, 1984-1985
boxfolder
III.151Georgia 2000, 1984
III.152Georgia 2000 [Brochure], 1986
III.153Hunting, 1985
III.154Hunting, 1988
III.155Leadership Savannah, 1987
III.156Arts (Leadership Savannah) (folder 1 of 2), 1990
III.157Arts (Leadership Savannah) (folder 2 of 2), 1990
III.158Leadership Georgia, 1985-1986
III.159Leadership Savannah Program [Thank You Letters], 1991
III.1510Leadership Savannah Program, Pentagon Tour, 1991 May 14
III.1511Leadership Savannah Program Speakers, Persian Gulf Crisis, 1991 May 14
III.1512Leadership Savannah Reception Invitations, 1991 May 13
III.1513Leadership Savannah Reception Menu/ Room Reservation, 1991 May 13
III.1514Leadership Georgia, 1991
III.1515M&M Products in Atlanta (McKenzie and McBride), 1984
III.1516Masters of Projects, 1992
III.1517[Memorabilia, Inauguration of Ronald Reagan], 1985
III.1518Paper Institute, 1987-1988
III.1519Project II, 1987
III.1520Special Events Information, 1989
III.1521Talmadge Auditorium, 1988
III.1522Tropical Rainforests Project, 1989
III.1523Turkey Hunt, 1989
III.1524Wild Turkey Federation, 1986-1987
III.1525Miscellaneous, 1988-1990



E. Invitations

boxfolder
III.347Invitations - Accept, 1983 January
III.348Invitations - Accept, 1983 February
III.349Invitations - Accept, 1983 March
box
III.4Invitations (16 folders), 1983-1984
box
III.5Invitations (20 folders), 1984-1986
box
III.6Invitations (20 folders), 1986-1987
box
III.7Invitations (17 folders), 1987-1990
box
III.8Invitations (16 folders), 1990-1991
box
III.9Invitations (26 folders), 1991-1992
boxfolder
III.1526Invites, 1988
III.1527Invitations, 1989



F. Olympics

boxfolder
III.101ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Master Plan, 1992
III.102ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Meeting, 1992 March 27
III.103ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Press Releases, 1992
III.104ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Report to the International Olympic Committee, 1992 February
III.105ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Speakers Bureau Manual, 1991
III.106"The ACOG Torch" Newsletter [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games], 1992
III.107ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Weekly News Clips (folder 1 of 5), 1992
III.108ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Weekly News Clips (folder 2 of 5), 1992
III.109ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Weekly News Clips (folder 3 of 5), 1992
III.1010ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Weekly News Clippings (folder 4 of 5), 1992
III.1011ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games] Weekly News Clippings (folder 5 of 5), 1992
III.1012Atlanta Construction Projects, 1992 February
III.1013Consultant Reports, 1992
III.1014Correspondence, 1992
III.1015Olympic Fundraising (folder 1 of 2), 1991-1992
III.1016Olympic Fundraising (folder 2 of 2), 1991-1992
III.1017Olympic Legislative Support Group, undated
III.1018Meetings with Atlanta Officials, 1991-1992
III.1019Notes, 1989-1991
III.1020Notes on the Budget Study, 1985-1990
boxfolder
III.111Publications (folder 1 of 2), 1992
III.112Publications (folder 2 of 2), undated
III.113Savannah Olympic Support Council, 1992
III.114Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart, and Assoc. Architects (folder 1 of 3), 1992
III.115Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart, and Assoc. Architects [Designs] (folder 2 of 3), 1992
III.116Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart, and Assoc. Architects [Designs] (folder 3 of 3), 1992
III.117Thomas Resigns from Congress to work for ACOG [Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games], 1992
III.118Olympic Tickets- Requests and Information, 1992