George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives

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U.S. Senate : Personal Activities, 1980-1994.

66.5 linear feet.

Catalog Number: M202.6.1

Background Note:
Senator Mitchell's administrative staff was responsible for coordinating and scheduling appointments, trips, and appearances; filing Mitchell's personal correspondence; maintaining records of phone calls; and receiving visitors and maintaining guestbooks. Legislative assistants wrote briefing material for the schedule books used at speaking engagements or other events.

The process of creating a workable schedule is an intricate series of tasks requiring a high level of planning and coordination. Senator Mitchell's personal schedule was generated from invitations received in personal correspondence and other sources. The main factor determining the Senator's availability was the Senate legislative schedule. Trips to Maine were also coordinated and implemented by field office personnel.

The administrative staff also maintained his personal political files. Mitchell was involved in supporting Democrats who ran for state office in Maine and his own re-election in 1982. After the 1984 general election Mitchell was elected chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and focused on coordinating national efforts to help elect Democratic candidates for the Senate. After becoming Senate Majority Leader in late 1988, Mitchell's appointment books and political activities were filled with speaking engagements and Democratic fundraiser appearances.

Description:
Contains scheduling files, itineraries, briefing material, appointment books, phone logs, guestbooks, and personal correspondence between Mitchell and colleagues, and friends, from 1980 to 1994. The series also contains a subseries of political files reflecting political issues and events, with the greater volume accumulated during an election year. In 1985 Senator Mitchell was elected chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. This new responsibility resulted in an increase in political activities, particularly fundraising events.

Access Restrictions: Restricted until January 3, 2015; sub-series M202.6.1.4, Speeches, and M202.6.1.6, Guest Books, carry no restrictions.