Upcoming Events
“A Healthy Start: The Children’s Health Insurance Program” Exhibition
West Virginia University Libraries
Downtown Campus Library Rockefeller Gallery
Morgantown, WV
April 3 - 25, 2017
The West Virginia University Libraries will open a new exhibition, “A Healthy Start: The Children’s Health Insurance Program,” on April 1, 2017, in the Downtown Campus Library Rockefeller Gallery. The exhibition, which recognizes the twentieth anniversary of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), draws on Senator Jay Rockefeller’s congressional archives to explore the history of CHIP, his work to navigate the conflicts and compromises in Congress that brought it to fruition, and the real effects of policy on individuals. On August 5, 1997, President Bill Clinton signed CHIP into law, extending health coverage to millions of uninsured children with the largest federal investment in children’s health since the creation of Medicaid in 1965. Senator Rockefeller was instrumental in creating CHIP and in forming a bipartisan coalition in Congress that backed the expansion of children’s health care despite an inimical political climate.
West Virginia University Libraries
Downtown Campus Library Rockefeller Gallery
Morgantown, WV
April 3 - 25, 2017
The West Virginia University Libraries will open a new exhibition, “A Healthy Start: The Children’s Health Insurance Program,” on April 1, 2017, in the Downtown Campus Library Rockefeller Gallery. The exhibition, which recognizes the twentieth anniversary of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), draws on Senator Jay Rockefeller’s congressional archives to explore the history of CHIP, his work to navigate the conflicts and compromises in Congress that brought it to fruition, and the real effects of policy on individuals. On August 5, 1997, President Bill Clinton signed CHIP into law, extending health coverage to millions of uninsured children with the largest federal investment in children’s health since the creation of Medicaid in 1965. Senator Rockefeller was instrumental in creating CHIP and in forming a bipartisan coalition in Congress that backed the expansion of children’s health care despite an inimical political climate.
Delaware in Committee: Senators Advocating for Delawareans in Congressional Committees
University of Delaware Library, Morris Library, First Floor
Newark, DE
April 3 - 14, 2017
Delaware in Committee: Senators Advocating for Delawareans in Congressional Committees, curated by John Caldwell, Senior Assistant Librarian and Political Papers Archivist is on view from April 3 through April 14, 2017 on the first floor of Morris Library. The exhibition commemorates the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent committees in the United States Senate. The constituent correspondence, Congressional reports, and draft legislation on view in Delaware in Committee highlight the work of three Delaware politicians on their respective committees: Senator John J. Williams (U.S. Senate, 1947-1971), a member of the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee; Senator J. Allen Frear, Jr. (U.S. Senate, 1949-1961), a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Defense Production; and former Representative (now Senator) Thomas R. Carper (U.S. House of Representatives, 1983-1993; U.S. Senate 2001-present), a member of the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. An expanded version of the exhibit can be accessed online at:
University of Delaware Library, Morris Library, First Floor
Newark, DE
April 3 - 14, 2017
Delaware in Committee: Senators Advocating for Delawareans in Congressional Committees, curated by John Caldwell, Senior Assistant Librarian and Political Papers Archivist is on view from April 3 through April 14, 2017 on the first floor of Morris Library. The exhibition commemorates the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent committees in the United States Senate. The constituent correspondence, Congressional reports, and draft legislation on view in Delaware in Committee highlight the work of three Delaware politicians on their respective committees: Senator John J. Williams (U.S. Senate, 1947-1971), a member of the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee; Senator J. Allen Frear, Jr. (U.S. Senate, 1949-1961), a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Defense Production; and former Representative (now Senator) Thomas R. Carper (U.S. House of Representatives, 1983-1993; U.S. Senate 2001-present), a member of the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. An expanded version of the exhibit can be accessed online at:
Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education
Shepherdstown, WV
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm
As a U.S. Congressman, West Virginia Secretary of State, university professor, author, and environmental activist, Ken Hechler changed the face of West Virginia politics. This West Virginia Public Broadcasting documentary traces the evolution of Congressman Hechler’s political philosophy to the progressive movement of the early twentieth century and documents his commitment to public service and political office. With added insight from U.S. Senators Tom Harkin, George McGovern, and Robert Dole, as well as Congressmen John Brademas and James Symington, the film highlights Hechler’s lifelong devotion to helping the citizens of the West Virginia and nation.
The film's producers, Russ Barbour and Chip Hitchcock will discuss the film in conversation with Cecelia Mason (former Eastern Panhandle Bureau Chief for West Virginia Public Broadcasting) and take questions after the screening. A gallery of documents and photographs from the Byrd Center Archives exploring Congressman Hechler's efforts and projects in West Virginia in collaboration with Senator Robert C. Byrd and Congressman Harley O. Staggers will be on display.
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education
Shepherdstown, WV
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm
As a U.S. Congressman, West Virginia Secretary of State, university professor, author, and environmental activist, Ken Hechler changed the face of West Virginia politics. This West Virginia Public Broadcasting documentary traces the evolution of Congressman Hechler’s political philosophy to the progressive movement of the early twentieth century and documents his commitment to public service and political office. With added insight from U.S. Senators Tom Harkin, George McGovern, and Robert Dole, as well as Congressmen John Brademas and James Symington, the film highlights Hechler’s lifelong devotion to helping the citizens of the West Virginia and nation.
The film's producers, Russ Barbour and Chip Hitchcock will discuss the film in conversation with Cecelia Mason (former Eastern Panhandle Bureau Chief for West Virginia Public Broadcasting) and take questions after the screening. A gallery of documents and photographs from the Byrd Center Archives exploring Congressman Hechler's efforts and projects in West Virginia in collaboration with Senator Robert C. Byrd and Congressman Harley O. Staggers will be on display.
Historian’s Brownbag Lunch Talk
Senate Historical Office
SR - 188
Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Andrew Johnson Battles Congress
At Civil War’s end, Congress and President Andrew Johnson clashed over how to reunite and rebuild the nation. The president favored more lenient terms than many in Congress, and a long struggle to define reconstruction ensued. In March 1867, Congress passed the first Reconstruction Act over the president’s veto, setting the terms for national reconstruction.
Celebrate Congress Week with Associate Historian Kate Scott as she explores the origins, legacy, and archival record of this landmark bill. Bring your lunch!
To register, email: historian@sec.senate.gov
For more information, contact the Senate Historical Office, at 202-224-6900 or historian@sec.senate.gov
Senate Historical Office
SR - 188
Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Andrew Johnson Battles Congress
At Civil War’s end, Congress and President Andrew Johnson clashed over how to reunite and rebuild the nation. The president favored more lenient terms than many in Congress, and a long struggle to define reconstruction ensued. In March 1867, Congress passed the first Reconstruction Act over the president’s veto, setting the terms for national reconstruction.
Celebrate Congress Week with Associate Historian Kate Scott as she explores the origins, legacy, and archival record of this landmark bill. Bring your lunch!
To register, email: historian@sec.senate.gov
For more information, contact the Senate Historical Office, at 202-224-6900 or historian@sec.senate.gov
The National Archives and Law Library of Congress are hosting a Wikipedia edit-a-thon on Friday, April 7 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. The focus will be on Congressional committees and hearings and will be held at the Library of Congress.
We have an exciting line-up for the day and hope that you will be able to attend (there are a limited number of in-person and virtual participation spots available). We are very pleased that the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, will provide the opening remarks. After Dr. Hayden, Katherine A. Scott, the associate historian from the Senate Historical Office, will provide a special presentation on the history of Senate committees. Staff from the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and the Law Library of Congress will share information resources related to Congressional committees. There will then be a tour of the Law Library stacks and rare book presentation for in-person participants; and a tutorial about how to edit Wikipedia by Sara Snyder, chief in the Media and Technology Office of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
After lunch, participants will dive in and edit Wikipedia throughout the afternoon. Our goal is for people to enhance the information on Wikipedia about Congressional committees and hearings with primary sources. There are a limited number of spots available. If you are interested in attending, please register via Eventbrite. There is also additional information on the Wikipedia event page. If you have any questions, please email us at legislative.socialmedia@nara.gov.
We have an exciting line-up for the day and hope that you will be able to attend (there are a limited number of in-person and virtual participation spots available). We are very pleased that the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, will provide the opening remarks. After Dr. Hayden, Katherine A. Scott, the associate historian from the Senate Historical Office, will provide a special presentation on the history of Senate committees. Staff from the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and the Law Library of Congress will share information resources related to Congressional committees. There will then be a tour of the Law Library stacks and rare book presentation for in-person participants; and a tutorial about how to edit Wikipedia by Sara Snyder, chief in the Media and Technology Office of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
After lunch, participants will dive in and edit Wikipedia throughout the afternoon. Our goal is for people to enhance the information on Wikipedia about Congressional committees and hearings with primary sources. There are a limited number of spots available. If you are interested in attending, please register via Eventbrite. There is also additional information on the Wikipedia event page. If you have any questions, please email us at legislative.socialmedia@nara.gov.
