Charles F. Hatcher Papers, 1981-1992
169 boxes, 84.25 linear feet

Administrative Information

- Access Restrictions
- User Restrictions
- Processing Notes
- Copyright Information
- Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Home

Organization and Arrangement

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Series Descriptions

Access Points

Folder List

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

User Restrictions: Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

Processing Notes: Some of Hatcher's electronic records from the early and mid-1980s were inaccessible and not included in his papers.

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 permission. 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.

Preferred Citation: Charles F. Hatcher Collection, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

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BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE:

Charles Floyd Hatcher was born in Doerun, Georgia on July 1, 1939. After serving in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1962, he earned his B.S. at Georgia Southern College in 1965 and his J.D. at the University of Georgia in 1969. Afterwards, Hatcher began practicing law in Albany.

From 1973 to 1980, Hatcher served in the Georgia House of Representatives. In 1980, Hatcher was elected from the 2nd District to the U. S. House of Representatives as a Democrat.

While serving in Congress, he was a member of various committees and subcommittees, including agriculture and small business. He was chairman of the Peanut and Tobacco, Energy and Agriculture, and Domestic Marketing subcommittees.

Hatcher's highly publicized involvement in the House bank scandal, coupled with the fact that reapportionment changed his district may have lead to his defeat in the Democratic primary in 1992. In 1993, he was cleared by the Justice Department of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the House bank scandal.

Hatcher currently resides in Newton, Georgia.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT:

The Charles F. Hatcher Papers document Hatcher's career as United States Congressman. The years represented are 1981 to 1992 and activities documented are political (local, state and national). During his twelve years as U. S. Congressman, Hatcher was most proud of his work on the Farm Bill of 1990.

The Papers are divided into four series: Legislative, Press, Constituent Services, Personal. There is very little information on any of Hatcher's campaigns for Congress. However, there is one videotape of campaign commercials that was used in the 1992 election.

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ORGANIZATION AND ARRANGEMENT

The types of materials in this collection include correspondence, newspaper clippings, press releases, speeches, printed materials and photographs. Original order of the collection was maintained. Newspaper clippings have been copied onto bond paper for protection of content. Photographs have been inventoried and placed in the photo file for preservation.

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

E.L. Forrester Papers, 1918-1970
Howard H. "Bo" Callaway Collection, 1965-1976
Maston O'Neal Papers
Herman E. Talmadge Collection
Sandford Bishop Papers
Richard Ray Papers
J.L. Pilcher Papers
J. Roy Rowland Papers
Williamson S. Stuckey Papers
George W. "Buddy" Darden Papers
Lindsay Thomas Papers

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Jack Brinkley Papers, Columbus Collection and State University

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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

I. Legislative, 1981-1992
100 boxes, 50 linear feet
The Legislative series includes materials that assisted Hatcher with monitoring legislative issues, researching and writing legislation, developing legislative initiatives and policy positions, as well as maintain voting reports.
This series is divided into four subseries: Legislative Assistant files, Subject files, Committee files and Voting Record. The overall arrangement of this series is chronological, followed by alphabetical arrangement.

A. Legislative Assistant files
The Legislative Assistant files consist of correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports, and memorandums. These files document Hatcher's general legislative interests, impact and influence. Krysta Harden's legislative files are located in the Constituent Services Series under Administrative Assistant files. Arrangement is by subject.

B. Subject files
The Subject files contain correspondence, printed materials, news releases, newspaper clippings, newsletters, speeches and reports. These files pertain to legislation being considered by Congress. Topics include abortion, Persian Gulf War, Clarence Thomas Nomination, Wetlands and National Health Care. The majority of these files date from 1987 to 1992. Arrangement is chronological.

C. Committee files
The Committee files include correspondence, printed materials, reports, newspaper clippings, and news releases related to various committees or subcommittees. Arrangement is alphabetical.

D. Voting Records
The Voting Records contain the individual voting records of Congressman Hatcher from 1989 to 1991. Arrangement is chronological.

E. Printed Materials
This subseries contains information on various bills of concern to Congressman Hatcher. There is a compilation of legislative speeches on the Farm Bill of 1990, which was of particular interest to him.

II. Press, 1981-1992
14 boxes, 6.75 linear feet
The Press series include the files of activities of communicating information about Hatcher's view on various issues and positions through newsletters, press releases, and speeches. This series is divided into four subseries: newspaper clippings, press releases, speeches and background information. The overall arrangement of Press series is chronological.

A. Newspaper clippings
The clippings are about Congressman Hatcher, including events in which he participated, campaigns and political opponents. Arrangement is chronological.

B. Press Releases
The releases were sent to local newspapers in Hatcher's home district, as well as Atlanta. These are very similar to the newspaper clippings subseries. Arrangement is chronological.
C. Speeches
These are the final version of speeches that Hatcher delivered to various civic organizations, local governments, farm and church groups and school organizations in Georgia and elsewhere. Arrangement is chronological.

D. Event files
The Background information subseries was essentially the working files of Hatcher's speaking engagements, containing copies of correspondence with the groups he addressed. This also includes drafts of newsletters, public service announcements and Hatcher's Persian Gulf War Floor Statement.

III. Constituent Services, 1981-1991
23 boxes, 11.5 linear feet
The Constituent Services series includes a high volume of single issue mail, which documents the concerns of the public on various events and issues. This series also contains the files of Administrative Assistant Krysta Harden. Arrangement is chronological.

A. Administrative Assistant files
The Administrative Assistant files consist of correspondence, clippings, reports, schedules and printed materials. There are a number of records pertaining to International Trade. It should be noted that Ms. Harden's files include her service as legislative assistant/director from 1984 to 1987.

B. Issue Mail
The Issue Mail subseries contains correspondence, incoming and outgoing replies. The material includes information on constituent's views and questions about current events or public issues. The file is arranged by computer-assigned numbers. Arrangement is numerical.

IV. Personal, 1981-1992
32 boxes, 16 linear feet
This series consists of those activities that are not directly associated with "legislating" or providing constituent services but are nevertheless part of the routine of every officeholder. Personal is divided into three subseries: invitations, appointment books and guest book. Arrangement is chronological.

A. Invitations
These files include requests for Hatcher's appearance at various events or meetings, other than official Congressional activities such as presiding over a committee meeting. There are a large number of invitations regarding activities during the National Democratic Convention in 1988 and 1992.

B. Appointment Books
These books maintained the schedules of meetings and appointments of Congressman Hatcher. They were kept for each year from 1986 to 1992.

C. Guest Book
This is a log of individuals who visited Congressman Hatcher's office in Washington, D. C. from 1986 to 1992.

D. Social Correspondence
This subseries consists of correspondence and newspaper clippings. These files are thank you notes, wedding/anniversary congratulations, sympathy notices and recommendations. Arrangement is chronological.

V. Photographs

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ACCESS POINTS

United States. Congress. House.
Legislators --United States.
Agricultural laws and legislation.
Wetlands --Law and legislation.
Georgia --Politics and government --1951-
Congressional records.

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FOLDER LIST

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

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