Finding aid for the Colmer (William M.) Papers.

              M24
THE PAPERS OF WILIAM M. COLMER
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The vast majority of the William M. Colmer Papers encompass his forty-year career as a United States Congressman from Mississippi (1933-1972). However, it also contains a significant amount of material regarding his activities prior to his election to Congress, and a limited amount of materials generated after his retirement in 1972. The original arrangement of the materials has been preserved as closely as possible. Inclusive dates are approximately 1906–1980. The collection divided into two major series, and each series is separated into several subgroups.
SERIES I: CONGRESSIONAL FILES
This series is comprised of materials generated during Mr. Colmer’s tenure in Congress, and it contains ten subgroups:
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Subgroup 1: Subject Files (Boxes 1 – 364)
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Subgroup 2: Positions (Boxes 365 – 444)
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Subgroup 3: Legislation Files (Boxes 445 – 578)
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Subgroup 4: Special Committee on Post-War Economic Policy and
Planning (William Colmer, Chairman) (Boxes 579 – 593)
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Subgroup 5: Special Files (Boxes 594 – 607)
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Subgroup 6: Post Office Files (Boxes 608 – 645)
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Subgroup 7: Public Works Files (Boxes 646 – 658)
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Subgroup 8: Hurricane Camille Files (Boxes 659 – 663)
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Subgroup 9: Campaign and Working Files (Boxes 664 – 669)
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Subgroup 10: Restricted Files (CLOSED TO RESEARCHERS)
(Boxes 670 – 683)
Subgroup 1: Subject Files consists of correspondence between Congressman Colmer, his constituents, and others, on a vast array of topics. Subjects are arranged alphabetically within the subgroup.
Subgroup 2: Positions is made up of correspondence requesting Mr. Colmer’s assistance in securing employment. Requests are arranged alphabetically, where possible. However, a significant portion is grouped as “Miscellaneous.”
Subgroup 3: Legislation Files is separated into two groups - Part A: Bills introduced by Congressman Colmer, and Part B: Correspondence pertaining to a specific piece of legislation. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically, according to topic, but a miscellaneous section is also included.
Subgroup 4: Special Committee on Post-War Economic Policy and Planning
(William M. Colmer, Chairman) contains alphabetically arranged materials relating to the activities of this important Post World War II committee.
Subgroup 5: Special Files (Announcements, Directories, Lists, Newsletters, Pamphlets, Speeches, and Statements. Of particular interest in this subgroup are the numerous speeches and articles by Congressman Colmer.
Subgroup 6: Post Office Files consists of correspondence and other documents pertaining to the various post offices in Mississippi, including openings and closings. Materials are arranged alphabetically, by city. Also included are rural routes and Star routes.
Subgroup 7: Public Works Files holds information concerning a plethora of public works projects in Mississippi, from Back Bay projects to Water Resources, and everything in between.
Subgroup 8: Hurricane Camille Files are a treasure trove of information about Hurricane Camille, a devastating category five storm that struck the Gulf Coast in August 1969. Included are photographs and materials relating to the immediate aftermath of the storm, as well as items dating three to four years afterward.
Subgroup 9: Campaign and Working Files are records of Congressman Colmer’s biennial campaigns for Congress, as well as an unsuccessful run for the United States Senate in 1947. Also included are working files consisting of legislative reorganization efforts, Colmer’s voting record, and other topics.
Subgroup 10: Restricted Files (Veterans’ Claims, Military and Medical Records, and Miscellaneous Claims. THESE RECORDS ARE CLOSED TO RESEARCHERS BY FEDERAL MANDATE.
SERIES II: PERSONAL FILES
This series is composed primarily of items collected by Congressman William Colmer over the course of his life, and are more personal in nature than his Congressional files. However, there is likely some overlap, particularly on the subject of legislation. Materials in this series were not in any order when they arrived in the University of Southern Mississippi Archives, therefore the organization of the materials reflects the judgment of the processor. The series has been divided into five subgroups.
Subgroup 1: Created Subject Files includes a vast amount of correspondence; a large section of materials on civil rights; and biographical information on Congressman Colmer. The subgroup is arranged alphabetically. Subgroup 2: Photographs contains images from every aspect of Congressman Colmer’s public life, along with many from his private life.
Subgroup 3: Scrapbooks consists primarily of photocopied scrapbooks documenting William Colmer’s life and activities from 1927-1972. (The critical state of deterioration in the originals necessitated photocopying onto acid-free paper). Four scrapbooks have been preserved in their original forms. Of particular interest are a scrapbook on Hurricane Camille, and one on the Post War Economic Policy and Planning Committee headed by Mr. Colmer.
Subgroup 4: Memorabilia is composed of plaques, certificates, and mementoes presented to, or collected by, Congressman Colmer over the course of his life. A selection of interesting items from his Post War European tour are on loan to the Camp Shelby Military Museum.
Subgroup 5: Audio and Video Materials consists largely of campaign tapes, both audio and video. Also included are a few phonograph records, and at least two speeches by Congressman Colmer.