Roy Vincent Harris Papers, Series V: Audiovisual

Descriptive Summary
Title: Roy Vincent Harris Papers, Series V: Audiovisual
Creator: Harris, Roy Vincent, 1895-1985
Inclusive Dates: 1977-1983
Language(s): English
Extent: 33 item(s)
Collection Number: RBRL183RVH_V
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Roy Vincent Harris Papers, Series V: Audiovisual, includes 1 compact disc, 3 VHS videocassettes, 8 3/4" Umatic videocassettes, 12 audiocassettes, and nine quarter-inch open reel audio tapes containing interviews with Roy V. Harris in the 1970s and 1980s.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

Roy Vincent Harris was born in Glascock County, Georgia on October 2, 1895. He moved to Wrens Georgia to attend high school. He received an A. B. from The University of Georgia in 1917 where he was active in the Demosthenian Society. His education was interrupted in June 1917 by World War I. Harris progressed rapidly through the ranks of the wartime army. After enlisting he was promoted from private to sergeant to 2nd lieutenant to 1st lieutenant. Following the War, Harris returned to The University of Georgia where he completed his LL.B. in 1919. At age 24 Harris was admitted to the Bar of the State of Georgia. He practiced law in Louisville, Georgia until 1931 when he relocated to Augusta, Georgia where he practiced law for the rest of his career as part of the firm, Harris, McCracken, Pickett & Jackson.

Harris entered politics in Georgia early in his career. In 1921 he was elected to the Georgia state legislature for Jefferson County and retained this position through 1928. During his time in the legislature he served as the chair of the Ways and Means Committee. From 1931 to 1932, Harris served as a member of the Georgia State Senate during which time he was vice-chair of the Rules Committee. From 1933-1946 he served in the Georgia House of Representatives and wielded considerable power and influence as the Speaker of the House, a position he held from 1937-1940 and 1943-1946. In his long career as a Georgia politician Harris developed a reputation as a "kingmaker" among his cohorts. A "master of white only, rural-dominated politics," of the County Unit System, Harris had little trouble pulling in the votes needed for a piece of legislation or a candidate for governor. A popular saying among Georgia politicians from this era became, "What do you need to be elected governor of Georgia? $50, 000 and Roy Harris." During his time as an elected official Harris was at the center of some of Georgia's most controversial political events. He supported the revocation of the poll tax; fought to thwart his political rival Ellis Arnall from amending the state constitution to enable him to succeed himself as governor; and worked behind the scenes to support Herman Talmadge during the infamous two-governor controversy.

As a politician Harris's chief interests centered on upholding segregation and improving Georgia's education system. Upholding his strong support of segregation, in 1945, Harris worked vigorously to protect the all white Democratic primary in Georgia. In 1948 he led the fight for the adoption of a Minimum Foundation Program for Education and supported a sales tax in the next three successive years to fund it.

After Harris left office in 1946, he continued to be an advocate for both segregation and education. He accomplished much of his work to improve Georgia's educational system as a member of the Board of Regents, to which he was first appointed in 1951. In this capacity, Harris's ability to accomplish things behind the scenes made him a valuable advocate for the state's schools. In one example, Harris arranged for The University of Georgia to receive funding to build a new science center with one call to the governor, Marvin Griffin. When Georgia Tech proponents complained, Harris arranged for funding for a comparable center on the Tech campus. Harris served as a Regent until 1973. Although his attitudes towards racial integration were clearly negative, as a member of the Board of Regents he endeavored to uphold his belief in "separate but equal" by working as an advocate for black colleges within the System. If he clearly believed in segregation, he also believed in "equality of accommodation (even if in reality this rarely occurred)." Harris's more virulent attitudes about racial integration found expression in the Citizens Councils of America, an organization dedicated to "State's Rights and Racial Integrity." As the Charter Member and President of the organization's operation in Georgia as well as the President of the whole Citizen's Council in 1966, Harris was one of its most influential and vocal members. During the height of the Civil Rights era, Harris advocated mounting a campaign of harassing phone calls to supporters of integration. He is also credited by many as the galvanizing force behind Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus's intractable opposition to integration of the schools of Little Rock. Another outlet for Harris's vehement opposition to integration and conservative values was The Augusta Courier, a newspaper he edited for 27 1/2 years from 1947 to 1974. Harris was also a regular and featured contributor to The Citizen, the journal published by the Citizens Councils of America.

In 1982 Harris returned to public office once again. This time Roy accepted an appointment to serve as the city attorney for Ed McIntyre, the first black mayor in Augusta, Georgia. Although still a proponent of segregation, Roy Harris found McIntyre, a man he had known personally for several years, to be a better candidate than his opponent, a white businessman.

Harris was a member of the Georgia Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Judicative Society, the American Legion; Woodmen of the World, the Masons, and the B. P. O. Elks. He served as a steward at his church, St. James Methodist.

Roy Vincent Harris passed away in 1985. He was 90 years of age.

Scope and Content

Roy Vincent Harris Papers, Series V: Audiovisual, includes 1 compact disc, 3 VHS videocassettes, 8 3/4" Umatic videocassettes, 12 audiocassettes, and nine quarter-inch open reel audio tapes containing interviews with Roy V. Harris in the 1970s and 1980s.

Organization and Arrangement

Roy Vincent Harris Papers, Series V: Audiovisual is arranged by format.

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Though the collection is open for research, 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.

Preferred Citation

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

Copyright Information

It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission to reproduce material for publication. Persons wishing to reproduce materials in the Russell Library collections should consult the Director. Reproduction or quotation of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2011.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Alvan S. Arnall Collection of Ellis G. Arnall Materials

Harold Henderson Oral History Collection

S. Ernest Vandiver Papers

Zell Miller Papers

Carl E. Sanders Papers

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Jimmy Carter Governor's Records, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia

Jimmy Carter Presidential Records, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Sam Nunn Papers, Emory University

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

V. Audiovisual

12 item(s)

Roy Vincent Harris Papers, Series V: Audiovisual, includes 1 compact disc, 3 VHS videocassettes, 8 3/4" Umatic videocassettes, 12 audiocassettes, and nine quarter-inch open reel audio tapes containing interviews with Roy V. Harris in the 1970s and 1980s.

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item

Request box

CD/DVD 0037

RVH CD 0001

Roy V. Harris [1895 -1985], Christmas Tape 1977, 1977

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

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item

Request box

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 001

Harris Report #1 7:55, also both 30 sec. promo's + more interview + pictures, Scotch MBU 18S Color Plus Master Broadcast videocassette., undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 002

Roy Harris Report #2 12:30 (26 power WAGT Augusta label), undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 003

Roy Harris Bulk Tape #3 (26 power WAGT Augusta label), undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 004

inter. In chair part 2 tape did not run out + Prod. Footage to Promo's (26 power WAGT Augusta label), undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 005

Greg Peterson's interview with Roy V. Harris Bulk Tape Do not Erase…Do Not Erase…Don't Erase…Scotch UCA 60 Plus Videocassette, undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 006

Roy Harris A & B Roll (26 power WAGT Augusta label), undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 007

Roy Harris 1 & 2 parts (26 power WAGT Augusta label), undated

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Umatic 0019

RVH Umatic 008

Roy V. Harris Bulk Tape UCA 60 Videocassette Color Plus 1. Interview at MCG 9/83 2. 9/83 Mr. Harris +Grandaughter Kathy -- Just before she left for Athens 3. Profile 10/2/83 last segment only 4. MCG B-roll, 1983 September, 1983 December 2

Moving image.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

box

item

Request box

VHS 0214

AVV 93-10a

Roy Harris Report, part 1 Promos, Interview, Pictures Medical College interview & footage, undated

Moving image. Interviews conducted by Greg Peterson of WAGT TV in Augusta, GA

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

VHS 0214

AVV 93-10b

Harris Report #2 Interviews, undated

Moving image. Interviews conducted by Greg Peterson of WAGT TV in Augusta, GA

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

VHS 0214

AVV 93-10c

Interviews with Harris, undated

Moving image. Interviews conducted by Greg Peterson of WAGT TV in Augusta, GA

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

box

item

Request box

CS 0136

HVR CS 0001

Cassette #1 side 1 AVA 86-1:1, Politics #1,2; side 2 AVA 86-1:1, Politics #1,2

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0002

Cassette #2 side 1 AVA 86-1:1, Politics #1 & 2, AVA 86-1:2, Politics #3 & 4; side 2 AVA 86-1:2, Politics #3 & 4

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0003

Cassette #3 side 1 AVA 86-1:2, Politics #3 & 4; side 2 AVA 86-1:2, Politics #3 & 4

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0004

Cassette #4 side 1 AVA 86-1:3, Politics #5 & 6; side 2 AVA 86-1:3, Politics #5 & 6

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0005

Cassette #5 side 1 AVA 86-1:3, Politics #5 & 6; side 2 AVA 86-1:4, UGA Days/Army #1

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0006

Cassette #6 side 1 AVA 86-1:4, UGA Days/Army #1, AVA 86-1:5, UGA Days/Army #2; side 2 AVA 86-1:5, UGA Days/Army #2, AVA 86-1:6, History of Education in Georgia

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0007

Cassette #7 side 1 AVA 86-1:6, History of Education in Georgia; side 2 AVA 86-1:6, History of Education in Georgia

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0008

Cassette #8 side 1 AVA 86-1:6 History of Education in Georgia, AVA 86-1:7 Huey Long/Tom Watson; side 2 AVA 86-1:7, Huey Long/Tom Watson

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0009

Cassette #9 side 1 AVA 86-1:7, Huey Long/Tom Watson, AVA 86-1:8, Tom Watson; side 2 AVA 86-1:8, Tom Watson, AVA 86-1:9 Tales

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0010

Cassette #10 side 1 only AVA 86-1:9 Tales

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0011

RVH/97-1:10 School of Law Oral History Project, Gwen Wood Interviewer

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

CS 0136

HVR CS 0012

RVH/97-1:11 School of Law Oral History Project, Gwen Wood Interviewer

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

box

item

Request box

RR 0067

HVR RR 0001

Reel #1 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:1, Politics #1 & 2, 1985 November 18

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0002

Reel #2 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:1, Politics #1 & 2; AVA 86-1:2, Politics # 3 & 4, 1985 November 18

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0003

Reel #3 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:2, Politics #3 & 4; side 2 AVA 86-1:2, Politics #3 & 4, 1985 November 18

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0004

Reel #4 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:3, Politics # 5 & 6; AVA 86-1:4, UGA Days/Army #1

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0005

Reel #5 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:4, UGA Days/Army #1

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0006

Reel #6 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:4 UGA Days/Army #1, AVA 86-1:5, UGA Days/Army #2, AVA 86-1:6, History of Education in Georgia

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0007

Reel #7 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:6, History of Education in Georgia, AVA 86-1:7, Huey Long/Tom Watson

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0008

Reel #8 sides 1 & 2, AVA 86-1:7 Huey Long/Tom Watson, AVA 86-1:8, Tom Watson

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

RR 0067

HVR RR 0009

Reel #9 side 1 AVA 86-1:8 Tom Watson, AVA 86-1:9 Tales

Sound recording.

Resource may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.