Guide to the Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 9. Photographs, 1930-2010 TJU.2010.01.09

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 9. Photographs
Creator
Specter, Arlen
Collection Number
TJU.2010.01.09
Extent
3 boxes 3 records center boxes, plus oversize material
Date
1930-2010
Physical Location
With the exception of selected photographic and memorabilia items located on display at the Arlen Specter Center's Roxboro House in Philadelphia, the collection itself is located at the University of Pittsburgh Library System's Archives Service Center in Pittsburgh. Due to the size of this collection, researchers are required to notify Pitt's Archives & Special Collections at least 24 hours in advance for use of this collection. Researchers interested in viewing archival materials in Philadelphia at the Arlen Specter Center are encouraged to contact Archives & Special Collections (www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist) or Special Collections-Gutman Library (slates@philau.edu) for further information.
Abstract
The Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 9. Photographs contains photographs documenting Senator Specter's career and personal life. Specter served as U.S. Senator from 1981 to 2011, making him the longest-tenured Pennsylvanian senator.
Language
English .
Author
Ashley Taylor.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Copyright

Thomas Jefferson University holds title to the materials in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by third parties. No copyrighted work may be copied, published, disseminated, displayed, or played without permission of the copyright holder except in accordance with fair use under U.S. copyright law. The responsibility for obtaining all necessary permissions remains with the requester.

Custodial History

Material was transferred to the care of Philadelphia University in 2010-2011 from the Federal Records Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland, as well as the Senator's Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania offices. The physical material was transferred to the University of Pittsburgh in 2014, with the exception of selected photographic and memorabilia items that remain at the Arlen Specter Center's Roxboro House for display. In 2016, Philadelphia University merged with Thomas Jefferson University, and is now known as Thomas Jefferson University- East Falls campus.

Preferred Citation

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 9. Photographs, 1930-2010, TJU.2010.01.09, Thomas Jefferson University (managed by the University of Pittsburgh Library System)

Acquisition Information

Gift of Arlen Specter to Philadelphia University in 2010. Philadelphia University and the University of Pittsburgh entered into a partnership to jointly manage the collection in 2013.

Biography

Born in Wichita, Kansas, on February 12, 1930, Arlen Specter came to Pennsylvania to attend the University of Pennsylvania. He married Joan Levy in 1953, and graduated from Yale Law School in 1956. He became assistant district attorney in Philadelphia in 1959. In 1962, Specter was recommended to serve on the Warren Commission, assembled to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As part of the Commission, he was responsible for co-authoring the proposal of the "single bullet theory," determining that one bullet struck both President Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally. Specter ran for Philadelphia district attorney in 1965, switching his Party membership to Republican in order to unseat the incumbent Democrat. He was successful, and served as district attorney from 1966 to 1974.

After an initial failed run for Senator and then for Governor of Pennsylvania, Specter was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980. He would stay in this position from 1981 to 2011, making him the longest-tenured senator in Pennsylvania's history. During this time, he was a member of a number of Committees: Judiciary (1981-2011; Chair, 2007-2007), Appropriations (1981-2011), Veterans Affairs (1981-2011; Chair, 1997-2001 and 2003-2005), Select Intelligence (1985-1991; 1995-1997; Chair, 1995-1997), Special Aging (1991-1995; 2007-2011), Governmental Affairs (1997-2001; 2003-2005), and Environment and Public Works (2001-2003; 2009-2011).

Though elected as a Republican, Specter was a moderate on many issues, including healthcare reform, immigration, and abortion. He would often cross party lines, such as in voting against the confirmation of President Ronald Reagan's nominee Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court in 1987. Specter would again come into the spotlight during a Supreme Court nomination process in 1991, for his cross-examination of Professor Anita Hill regarding her allegations against nominee Clarence Thomas. In 1999, he would vote against the charges brought against President Bill Clinton, giving an answer of "not proven" to reflect his belief that Clinton had not received a fair trial.

As Senator, Specter championed a number of causes and influenced many legislative areas. He was frequently a member of Congressional Delegation trips, particularly to the Middle East, where he would speak out on the cause of freedom from religious persecution and the importance of strong diplomatic relations. He was also a proponent of funding for medical research, including the use of stem cells. He advocated for strict crime laws, particularly for career criminals. His focus on benefitting Pennsylvania could be seen through the pursuit of grant funding opportunities and his attempt to prevent the closure of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the 1990s.

With the worsening of Congressional partisanship in the late 2000s, Specter found himself frequently voting with his Democratic peers. After being one of only three handful of Republicans to vote for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, Specter found himself increasingly marginalized within his party. In April 2009, he returned to the Democratic Party, helping to ensure the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Seeking re-election in 2010, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Joe Sestak.

Specter's 30-year tenure in the Senate concluded in January 2011. After leaving the Senate, he partnered with Philadelphia University (now Jefferson-East Falls) to establish the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service. In the fall of 2012, Specter, who had previously beaten Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2005 while serving as Chair of the Judiciary Committee, was diagnosed with cancer. He died on October 14, 2012, aged 82.

Processing Information

The collection was processed by project archivist Ashley Taylor between 2014 and 2018. During this period, she was assisted by three temporary archival assistants: Cassandra Frank, Jon Klosinski, and Shannon McClenning. Further assistance was provided by graduate and undergraduate student interns.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Scope and Content Notes

The Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 9. Photographs comprises 3 boxes of material, plus additional oversized items, and contains photographs documenting Senator Specter's career and personal life. In addition to the material described in this guide, additional oversized and framed items are available; interested researchers should contact Archives & Special Collections for the oversize inventory list.

Arrangement

Group 9 is arranged alphabetically by topic. Oversize material is arranged by size as space allows, and is not in a specific order. Interested researchers should contact Archives & Special Collection for an inventory of the oversized material.

Related Material

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 1. Pre-Senatorial Career Files, 1953-1980, TJU.2010.01.01

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 2. Legislative Files, 1965-2011, TJU.2010.01.02

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 3. Personal, Political and Official Files, 1944-2010, TJU.2010.01.03

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 4. Office Administration Files, 1962-2010, TJU.2010.01.04

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 5. Constituent Services Files, 1976-2007, TJU.2010.01.05

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 6. Public Relations and Media Files, 1972-2010, TJU.2010.01.06

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 7. Campaign Files, 1976-2004, TJU.2010.01.07

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 8. Awards and Memorabilia, 1957-2010, TJU.2010.01.08

Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers, Group 10. Electronic Records, 1980-2010, TJU.2010.01.10

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • United States. Congress. Senate

    Personal Names

    • Specter, Arlen
    • Assad, Bashar
    • Assad, Hafez
    • Hussein, Saddam
    • Bush, Barbara
    • Bush, George Walker
    • Bush, George, H.W (Herbert Walker)
    • Reagan, Ronald W. (Ronald Wilson)
    • Hillman, Elsie Hilliard
    • Arafat, Yasir
    • Thurmond, Strom
    • Santorum, Rick
    • Al Gore
    • Hope, Bob
    • Dole, Robert J.
    • Ridge, Thomas J.
    • Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous)
    • Heinz, John
    • Ford, Gerald R.
    • Carter, Jimmy
    • Clinton, Bill

    Geographic Names

    • China
    • Taiwan
    • Korea (South)
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)
    • Philadelphia (Pa.)

    Genres

    • Photographs

    Other Subjects

    • Politicians
    • Government

Container List

Abdullah II of Jordan, 2006
Containers
box 1336, folder 1
African-Americans, 1982-1986 and undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 2
Agriculture, 1984-1990 and undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 3
Airplanes, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 4
Alaska, 2001
Containers
box 1336, folder 5
Bashar al-Assad, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 6
Hafez al-Assad, 1997
Containers
box 1336, folder 7
Madeleine Albright, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 8
Alliance for Legislative and Political Action, 1990
Containers
box 1336, folder 9
Yasser Arafat, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 10
Army/Navy football game, 1989
Containers
box 1336, folder 11
Atlanta, 1991
Containers
box 1336, folder 12
Awards, 1982-1999 and undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 13
Baby photo, 1930
Containers
box 1336, folder 14
Prince Hassan bin Talal, 1998
Containers
box 1336, folder 15
Birthday, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 16
B'nai B'rith Board of Governors, 1990
Containers
box 1336, folder 17
Robert Bork, 1987
Containers
box 1336, folder 18
Budget signing, 1997
Containers
box 1336, folder 19
Barbara Bush, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 20
George H.W. Bush, 1989-1992 and undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 21
George W. Bush, 2006
Containers
box 1336, folder 22
Campaign, 1992
Containers
box 1336, folder 23
Campaign, 1998
Containers
box 1336, folder 24
Campaign, 2004
Containers
box 1336, folder 25
Jimmy Carter, 1994
Containers
box 1336, folder 26
Fidel Castro, 1999
Containers
box 1336, folder 27
China, 2001
Containers
box 1336, folder 28-29
Cities and urban tours, 1982 and undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 30
Citizens for Arlen Specter Day, 1991
Containers
box 1336, folder 31
Bill Clinton, 1994-1997
Containers
box 1336, folder 32
Constituents, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 33
Construction site, undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 34
Defense, 1983-1984 and undated
Containers
box 1336, folder 35
Suleyman Demirel, 1998
Containers
box 1336, folder 36
District Attorney photos, 1966-1972
Containers
box 1336, folder 37
Bob Dole, 1996
Containers
box 1336, folder 38
Joseph Egan, 1983
Containers
box 1336, folder 39
East Asia, 2001
Containers
box 1336, folder 40-43
East Asia, 2001
Containers
box 1337, folder 1-3
Environment, 1985 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 4
Erie, 1985
Containers
box 1337, folder 5
Family, 1986-1987 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 6
Sally Field and Diane Keaton at cancer hearing, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 7
S. David Fineman, 1995
Containers
box 1337, folder 8
Mike Fisher, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 9
Fishing, 1988
Containers
box 1337, folder 10
Gerald Ford, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 11
Friends of Cancer Research, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 12
Muammar Gaddafi, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 13
Rudy Giuliani, 1994-1995
Containers
box 1337, folder 14
Global Dialogue on the New World Order, 1991
Containers
box 1337, folder 15
Whoopi Goldberg, 1994
Containers
box 1337, folder 16
Al Gore, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 17
Karoly Grosz, 1989
Containers
box 1337, folder 18
Group photos, 1983-1997 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 19
Hawaii, 2001
Containers
box 1337, folder 20
Healthcare, 1991 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 21
Hearings, 1995 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 22
John Heinz, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 23
Elsie Hillman and Ronald Reagan, 1980
Containers
box 1337, folder 24
Bob Hope, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 25
Saddam Hussein, 1990
Containers
box 1337, folder 26
Individual photos, 1986 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 27
Infrastructure, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 28
International Educator's Conference, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 29
Julius Irving, Strom Thurmond, 1983
Containers
box 1337, folder 30
Jobs and industry, 1983-1996 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 31
Michael Jordan, 1987
Containers
box 1337, folder 32
Judges, 1990 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 33
Kiev, 1999
Containers
box 1337, folder 34
Local trips, 1998
Containers
box 1337, folder 35
Frederica Massiah-Jackson, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 36
Middle East, 1982-2003
Containers
box 1337, folder 37
Middle East, 1989
Containers
box 1337, folder 38
Mobile Breast Care Center, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 39
Lazar Mojsov, 1988
Containers
box 1337, folder 40
Hosni Mubarak, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 41
Tim Murphy, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 42
National Association of Lettercarriers, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 43
National Rifle Association, 2004
Containers
box 1337, folder 44
Naval base, 1990
Containers
box 1337, folder 45
Richard Nixon, 1994
Containers
box 1337, folder 46
Herbert Olivieri, 1967
Containers
box 1337, folder 47
Panama, 1990
Containers
box 1337, folder 48
Passport photos, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 49
Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 50
Philadelphia Major League Baseball All-Star Game, 1996
Containers
box 1337, folder 51
Philadelphia: Past, Present and Future, 1982
Containers
box 1337, folder 52
Philadelphia race for charity, 1999
Containers
box 1337, folder 53
Pittsburgh, 1991
Containers
box 1337, folder 54
Portraits, 1988 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 55
PPG visit, 2000s
Containers
box 1337, folder 56
Prairiesta, 1991
Containers
box 1337, folder 57
Presidential campaign, 1995
Containers
box 1337, folder 58
Press conferences, 1986-1995 and undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 59
Press stills, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 60
Ronald Reagan, 1980s
Containers
box 1337, folder 61
Ronald Reagan and Dick Thornburgh, 1984
Containers
box 1337, folder 62
Red Zone Robotics, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 63
Republican National Convention, 1996
Containers
box 1337, folder 64
Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, 1991
Containers
box 1337, folder 65
Tom Ridge, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 66
Rochester Institute of Technology Board of Trustees meeting, 1997
Containers
box 1337, folder 67
Charles Rosenberry, undated
Containers
box 1337, folder 68
Karen Royden, 1995
Containers
box 1337, folder 69
Rick Santorum, undated
Containers
box 1338, folder 1
Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, 1996
Containers
box 1338, folder 2
South America, 1989
Containers
box 1338, folder 3
South Korea, 2001
Containers
box 1338, folder 4-5
Staff, undated
Containers
box 1338, folder 6
Steamtown, 1990
Containers
box 1338, folder 7
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 1997
Containers
box 1338, folder 8
Taiwan, 2001
Containers
box 1338, folder 9
Dick Thornburgh, undated
Containers
box 1338, folder 10
Strom Thurmond, 1997
Containers
box 1338, folder 11
Town halls, 1984-1985
Containers
box 1338, folder 12
Kathleen Turner, undated
Containers
box 1338, folder 13
United Research Laboratories visit, 2004
Containers
box 1338, folder 14
US Army European operations, 1982
Containers
box 1338, folder 15
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, undated
Containers
box 1338, folder 16
Valley Forge Military Academy, 1982
Containers
box 1338, folder 17
Veterans, 1991 and undated
Containers
box 1338, folder 18
Veterans Affairs Committee, 1994
Containers
box 1338, folder 19
Reggie Walton, 1989
Containers
box 1338, folder 20
Watchdog of the Treasury, 1990
Containers
box 1338, folder 21
Widerner University, 1990
Containers
box 1338, folder 22