Richard K. "Dick" Armey Collection

Collection

Identifier: CAC-CC-002

Staff Only

The Richard K. Armey Collection comprises 78 cubic feet of documents as well as videocassettes, audiocassettes, and memorabilia. The collection spans the period 1939-2002 although most materials date from 1985 and after.

Documents contained here include correspondence, legislation, publications, clippings, Internet material, press releases, reports, proceedings, invitations, and scheduling files.

The Armey Collection contains over 100 linear feet of documents, as well as maps, audio-visual material, photographs and memorabilia. The materials are largely from Armey’s service in Congress from 1985-2003 and include a variety of documents including correspondence, legislation, publications, clippings, press releases, and other materials related to the work of Congress. Of particular note are the Briefings and Internet series: the Briefings series contains materials, including correspondences, notes, memos, and charts, used to help Armey prepare for press briefings and meetings in his district, while the Internet series documents the development and use of his website. The collection also includes a wealth of materials related to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) and the Contract with America.

Dates

1985-2002

Creator

Armey, Richard K., 1940- (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Certain series of this collection are stored off-site and require prior notice to access. If you wish to view these materials, please contact the Congressional Archives staff to arrange an appointment.

The Clippings series is stored off-site (Boxes 1-9).

Conditions Governing Access to AV Materials: Access to audiovisual materials is by special appointment only, due to the technical requirements to view this media.

Conditions Governing Use:

The University of Oklahoma asserts no claim of copyright over photographs in this collection taken by private citizens. Any publication of such photographs requires the consent of the copyright holder.

Extent

117.5 Linear Feet (110 containers)

Additional Description

Biographical Information:

Richard Keith "Dick" Armey served as the congressman from the 26th District of Texas from January 3, 1985, to January 3, 2003. A Republican, Armey was born in Cando, North Dakota, on July 7, 1940. The middle child in a family of seven, Armey was the first in his family to attend college. He reminisced that he knew he was college-bound when as a power company employee he had to fix a power line in minus 30 degree weather at 3 a.m. Armey received a B.A from Jamestown (North Dakota) College; an M.A. from the University of North Dakota; and a Ph.D.in economics from the University of Oklahoma.

As a member of academe, the future congressman taught at several colleges and universities ultimately heading the economics department at the University of North Texas. When Armey launched his first campaign in 1984, the only politician he knew was his opponent, Tom Vandergriff. He defeated the Democrat 51 percent to 49 percent.

During his early terms in office, he served on the Education and Labor Committee, the Government Operations Committee, and the Joint Economic Committee. In addition, he founded and chaired the House Trade Expansion caucus; chaired the House Grace Caucus' Privatization Task Force; founded the B-2 Stealth Caucus; and founded the "budget commandos," a group focused on amending appropriations bills to cut spending. In December 1992, Armey ascended to the leadership of the House Republican Conference—the third-ranking leadership position for the House GOP.

During his time as majority leader, Armey joined with colleague W. J. "Billy" Tauzin in a pursuit to end the tax code. While Armey emphasized the flat tax, Tauzin called for a national sales tax. Armey and Tauzin appeared in several venues across the country on the so-called "Scrap the Tax Code" tour. Leader Armey also worked for passage of lower cost automobile insurance, for school choice, for campaign finance reform, and for efforts to reduce big government. In addition, he led the GOP in challenging the Clinton health care plan. Following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Armey chaired the Select Committee on Homeland Security. In 2001, Armey announced that he would not seek re-election in 2002.

Arrangement of Materials:

The Armey Collection is divided into 17 thematic series. The Clippings series is arranged chronologically, this series includes materials from nationals Texas newspapers on a variety of topics. The Press series is arranged chronologically, this series includes newsletters, weekly columns, news releases, and proceedings from press conferences. The press releases came from both Armey's office as well as the Office of the Majority Leader. The Briefings series is arranged alphabetically by topic and then chronologically, this series includes correspondence, notes, reports, memos, and charts to assist Armey not only in preparation for press conferences but also for meetings in his office as well as in the district. The Internet series is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically, this series primarily concerns the development and use of Armey's website. The Schedules Series is arranged chronologically by year then month and day with District Books preceding monthly schedules for each year. The Correspondence Series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The District Series is arranged alphabetically. The Campaign Series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Personal Series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Miscellaneous Series is arranged alphabetically. The Departmental Series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Legislative Series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Audio-Visual Series is arranged by format(videocassettes and audiocassettes) then chronologically. The Memorabilia Series is generally arranged by material type (trophies, plaques, certificates). Most of the photographs in the Photograph Series are arranged into groups based on event or content.

The Armey Collection is divided into 17 series: Clippings, Press, Briefings, Internet, Schedules, Correspondence, District, Campaign, Personal, Miscellaneous, Departmental, Legislative, Audio-Visual, Memorabilia, Oversize, Maps, and Photographs. The materials within each series are arranged largely alphabetically by topic and then chronologically, though some series including Clippings, Press, and Schedules, are organized chronologically first. The Audio-Visual and Memorabilia series are organized by material type. The Photograph series is organized topically by event and content.