Hamilton Fish (1926-1996)
Congressional Papers, 1968-1994

SC21149a

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Biographical Note | Provenance Note | Scope and Contents Note | Series Description

Biographical Note

Hamilton Fish, Jr., was born in Washington, D.C., June 3, 1926 served as Representative from New York State in the United States Congress from 1969-1994, which continued his family's long tradition of public service that dates back to the 1840s.

Fish attended primary and secondary schools in Washington, D. C, the Newburgh [N.Y.] Free Academy and the Kent School in Connecticut. He did undergraduate work at Harvard University, but in 1943, at the age of 17, he left college to volunteer for service in World War II. He served for two years in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific and was discharged with the rank of second class petty officer. After the war he returned to Harvard, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history in 1949, and later received a law degree in 1957 at New York University.

His political involvement began around this same time. From 1958 to 1961 he was vice president of 9th Assembly District Republican Club, and by 1962 he was actively campaigning for both Nelson Rockefeller and Jacob Javits, and serving as an alternate delegate to the Republican state convention. He went on to become the Dutchess County campaign manager for Kenneth Keating in Keating's unsuccessful run for re-election to the U.S. Senate.

In 1964, he threw his own hat into the ring, campaigning in the Hudson River Valley of New York State for the U.S. House of Representatives against Alexander Aldrich (first cousin of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller) in the Republican primary. He won the primary but was beaten in November by the Democratic incumbent, Joseph Y. Resnick.

In 1968, with Resnick out of the race because he was running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, Fish campaigned again for the House seat. In the primary he defeated G. Gordon Liddy, at the time a little-known lawyer who went on to become one of the Watergate burglars. In the tough general election that followed, Fish emerged victorious from a four-way-battle with Democrat John Dyson, Liberal Peter Kane Dufault and Liddy, who had received the Conservative Party's endorsement. For the most part, he held his seat comfortably, winning with increasing pluralities, and from 1974 to 1992, never slipping below 70 per cent of the vote in the general election. At the start of his tenure, Congressman Fish's district included all or parts of Schoharie, Greene, Ulster, Columbia, Otsego and Dutchess counties. Its boundaries changed three times; and when he retired 25 years later, it consisted of most of Dutchess County, all of Putman County and portions of Westchester and Orange counties.

Fish, who served as a Republican in the 91st through the 103rd Congresses (1968-1994), initially aligned himself with moderate Republicans who supported liberal social causes. In 1969, as a freshman Congressman, he was given a seat on the Judiciary Committee (with a ranking of 14th). In 1974, as a junior member of the committee (with a ranking of 8th) he held a swing vote on the panel as it considered impeaching President Richard Nixon. Fish was among the first Republicans to break party ranks. "At the very least," Congressman Fish explained, "[the President] is bound not to violate the law; not to order others to violate the law; and not to participate in the concealment of evidence respecting violations of the law of which he is made aware." Then, against the wishes of many senior members of his party, and to the chagrin of his ultraconservative father, who released a strongly critical "My Dear Son" letter, he voted twice to impeach the president. Speaking of that time, the Congressman later noted, "that's the single most dramatic episode [in my Congressional career], when the impeachment resolution was introduced in the House after the Saturday night massacre."

In 1983 Representative Fish became the ranking minority member of the House Judiciary Committee and remained so until he retired. He was involved in impeachment proceedings two additional times. In 1986 he was one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives to conduct impeachment proceedings against Harry E. Claiborne, a judge in the United States District Court for Nevada, calling him, "a disgrace, an affront to the judicial office, and to the judicial branch he was appointed to serve." And again in 1988, the Congressman was appointed manager of the proceedings against Alcee Lamar Hastings, a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He also sat on the committee during hearings on crime, handgun control, the Waco incident, and the management of the White House travel office.

Following advice he had been given early in his career, Representative Fish took the stance of a specialist, putting his energy behind selected issues important to him and his constituents. Thus, he served on the House Standing Committee on Small Business from 1975 to 1977, on the Outer Continental Shelf Scientific Advisory Committee (an ad hoc committee established to advise the Department of the Interior on environmental information gathered through research and used to support the decision process of Interior's oil and gas leasing program) from 1975 to 1979, and on the House Committee on Science and Technology (later, the House Committee on Science) from 1977 to 1983.

The Congressman served for two years (1983-1985) on the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, and moved to the Joint Economic Committee in 1987 where he remained until retirement. His interests in this committee focused on reforming laws relative to banking and bankruptcy.

As time went on, his moderate stance on most legislative matters and his penchant to work with people on both sides of the aisle to resolve issues, increasingly made him a minority within the ranks of the Republican minority at the time. In the early 1990s, though he didn't often agree with the more conservative Republican block on the Judiciary Committee, Representative Fish was able to maintain their trust largely on the strength of his good word and decency. As the committee's senior Republican he found himself its sole defender of the Republican Party's tradition of supporting civil rights and he presided awkwardly over this Republican group without seeming to share many of its values.

But while the Congressman was in the minority on his own side of the aisle, his vote was important as it brought credibility to the points of view he supported. By his own admission, Representative Fish was never particularly adept at political infighting and was quoted in 1994 as saying that he felt he "was better suited to the less confrontational more pragmatic political style of a minority leader. I'm not a confrontational person so I don't know if I would have been a more successful person as a member of the majority. I doubt it."

As party leaders reorganized for the 103rd Congress, Fish was among a group of senior, old-style Republicans mentioned as potential coup targets by the more conservative legislators rising through the Republican ranks. But the Congressman avoided ouster attempts, largely on the strength of his good work and decency. And, he was appreciated by fellow Republicans for his willingness to free the committee staff to pursue the party line on key issues, rather than his own view.

Throughout his career, Congressman Fish concentrated his legislative efforts in the areas of civil rights, crime, the handicapped, and business regulation. He was considered a major figure in the passage of legislation concerning Fair Housing (1979-1992), the 1982 Voting Rights Act extension, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act , the 1990 Civil Rights Act, and he was the Republican sponsor of the 1991 Civil Rights Act that provided monetary damages for women and minorities in cases of intentional employment discrimination. He was also an advocate for human rights, immigration reform, and refugee reauthorization, particularly in regards to efforts to change immigration laws on behalf of Soviet Jews.

Under his leadership, many national issues took on local importance. His stance on nuclear energy and environmental issues can be seen in his concerns about the nuclear power plant at Indian Point and his advocacy for a clean Hudson River. His abiding interest in healthcare reform, the quality of healthcare, and the business of healthcare came to the fore at a Hudson Valley Healthcare Reform Conference he hosted in 1992, and was reflected in his involvement in the affairs of area hospitals, especially the two veterans' hospitals in his district, Castle Point and Montrose. The Congressman's interest in veterans' affairs was brought home in numerous speeches, his involvement in area veterans' groups, and his advocacy for issues that affected the veterans of his district. His long-standing participation on the United States Military Academy's Board of Visitors (1982-1994) kept him informed on the policies and activities of the academy which was located at West Point in his district. And the importance of a sound transportation policy was amplified through his involvement with Stewart Airport and the two rail lines in his district, Amtrak and Conrail. He received four honorary degrees and numerous local, regional and national awards throughout his career.

In early 1994, Representative Fish started his campaign for a 14th term in office, but in March he announced that he would not seek re-election due to recurrence of prostate cancer stating that, although he enjoyed a fight, he was retiring "in fairness to everyone." He previously had undergone successful treatment for prostate cancer in 1982, but it had returned in 1994 as well having spread to his lungs. Tributes to him were lavish in their praise and the gala event that marked his retirement was attended by 750 well wishers, both Republicans and Democrats.

Hamilton Fish married Julia Mackenzie in 1951 in Montreal, Canada. They had four children: Hamilton, III (b. September 5, 1951), Julia Alexandra (Mrs. Thomas Ward) (b. June 24, 1953), Nicholas Stuyvesant (b. September 30, 1958), and Peter Livingston (b. September 8, 1959). Julia Fish died in an auto accident in 1969. In 1971, the Congressman married Billy Laster Cline in Millbrook, NY. She brought two sons from a previous marriage (James and John) into the family. She died in May 1985. In December 1989 in Garrison, NY, the Congressman was married for a third time to Mary Ann Tinklepaugh Knauss, a deputy assistant secretary of commerce in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Hamilton Fish died on July 23, 1996, in Washington, D.C. and was interred in the cemetery of St. Philip's Church-in-the-Highlands, Garrison, N.Y. At the time of his death, he had eight grandchildren.

Provenance Note

These papers were transferred to the New York State Library by a deed of gift upon the retirement of Hamilton Fish from Congress. Originally, these papers included many published books and government documents that were removed for consideration for other collections in this library or to be returned to the Fish family. Likewise, duplicates of papers, photographs, and other materials were to be returned to the family. The papers have been organized into ten series. These series were based on the archival principles of provenance and original order. Where original order was impossible to determine, the material was organized according to current archival theory and practice. If possible, current folder titles have remained true to the original title. In most cases where this proved counter-productive, the original title, if available, has been noted on the folder. During processing, materials were placed in acid-free folders and basic holdings maintenance was performed on the collection.

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of these records document the years Hamilton Fish, Jr. spent in the U.S. House of Representatives, January 3, 1968 through January 3, 1994. Included are photographs; film, sound and video recordings; scrapbooks, and ephemera, including awards, official passes and campaign buttons. The collection is divided into ten series. The first series documents the personal activities of Representative Fish and his family. Following this series are five series (Legislative files, Nixon Impeachment files, Correspondence files, Subject files and Press/Constituent Relations files) which document the work of Representative Fish and his staff. The seventh series (Political files) includes material representing the Congressman's political activities. The eighth series (Photographs) along with the ninth (Audio/Visual files containing audio tapes, film, video tapes, and floppy discs), and tenth (Scrapbooks, Ephemera and Artifacts), contain non-paper material, all of which adds depth to the paper records in the collection.

Hamilton Fish put his personal stamp on the material collected here. His easily recognizable annotations illustrate his hands-on approach to the business of legislation. Handwritten in pencil, these annotations appear time-after-time, giving the reader a unique perspective on the Congressman's thoughts and philosophy, as well as his communications (in the form of reminders, lists and notes) to himself and with his staff. Taken as a whole this material illustrates Representative Fish's evolving views and particular areas of interest during the 25 years he served the people of his country and his district in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.

In writing, the Congressman's office staff consistently referred to him as "HF." Those initials appeared in numerous folder titles and documents throughout the collection. This finding aid reflects this practice. Therefore, whenever "HF" appears, it is to be read, "Hamilton Fish."

Series Description

Series 1: Personal Files
through 1994
9 cu. ft., Boxes 1-9

The Personal Files contain biographical material about Hamilton Fish, Jr. and his family; genealogical information on his ancestors; documentation (including correspondence and annotated acceptance speeches) of the awards and honors he received, and in some cases the actual awards; schedules, and schedule and appointment cards for the years he was in office; documentation of his official trips (1970-1989); and a small collection of his official photographic portraits.

Series 2: Legislative Files
1968-1994

Legislative Files document the work carried out by Representative Fish and his staff in his offices in Washington and at home in his district.

Series 2: Legislative Files
Sub-series 1: Legislative Subject Files (A-Z)
1968-1994
8 cu. ft., Boxes 10-17

Issues of particular interest to Representative Fish can be deduced from these Legislative Subject Files. They cover a wide range of subjects including: Americans with disabilities, the AT&T consent decree hearing, the Bottlers' Bill, the Brady Bill and gun control, civil rights, copyright protection, crime, the death penalty, the Equal Rights Amendment, habeas corpus, health care reform, immigration, the Iraq investigation hearings, the Judiciary Committee, legal services, nuclear energy, the Outer Continental Shelf, refugees, the Savings and Loan Bill, Soviet Jewry, Travelgate, voting rights, the Waco hearings, and the Wetlands Bill.

This series is arranged alphabetically by subject then chronologically (Intellectual Property 1990, 1991 or Soviet Jewry 1975-1981, for instance).

Series 2: Legislative Files
Sub-series 2: Legislative, Briefing and Conference Binders
1974-1994
7 cu. ft, Boxes 18-24

The contents of this sub-series consists of materials distributed to legislators by the Government Printing Office documenting legislative activity, legislative profiles and voting records; briefing materials for various hearings, committees and commissions; and material received by Representative Fish as a participant in Aspen Institutes for Humanistic Studies held between 1987 and 1994.

Of particular interest are eight Campaign Binders - briefing books prepared for Representative Fish's use during his 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1988 election campaigns. They were organized by issue/subject and contain a wealth of information on the Congressman's stand on, and votes for or against, issues of the day, including abortion, banking, busing, campaign reform, capital punishment, civil rights, consumer issues, crime, defense, district matters, drugs, the economy, education, energy, the Equal Right Amendment, the environment, health, housing, labor, senior citizens, small business, social services, veterans, and women and families. Also included are two Category Books which list the roll call number, date, member (Representative Fish's) vote and description for all bills acted upon during the 94th Congress. These books are organized categorically ("Agriculture," "Handicapped," or "Southeast Asia," for example).

As it was received, the collection contained many binders compiled by subject. Material in these binders was rehoused in folders and labeled as the binders were labeled (Legislative Activity Guide 1991-1994, for instance).

Series 2: Legislative Files
Sub-series 3: Floor Statements/Remarks/Speeches/Tributes
1969-1994
4 cu. ft., Boxes 25-27

This sub-series is comprised of floor statements, remarks, speeches and tributes--in effect, all the public orations made by Representative Fish on the House Floor. In most cases, annotated drafts and background material accompany the final versions of each address. This sub-series is organized chronologically.

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
1973-1974

This series is made up of files generated by Representative Fish while a member of the House Judiciary Committee during hearings on the impeachment Richard Nixon (1973-1974). These have been filed separately from other Legislative Files due to their bulk, and to the importance that the Nixon impeachment played in Representative Fish's career.

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z
1973-1974
4 cu. ft., Boxes 28-31

Material throughout this sub-series is annotated by Representative Fish. Of major interest are the 15 folders of the Congressman's handwritten notes (HF's Notes) made during the hearings and organized by month or subject; 6 folders of his annotated speeches, reports and statements; an annotated Report on Constitutional Grounds for Presidential Impeachment, an annotated Standard for Presidential Impeachment issued by the White House; and the annotated transcripts of Recorded Presidential Conversations (1971-1973). Newspaper articles about the impeachment that mention Fish were assiduously clipped and are included here, as is a video recording of Representative Fish's statement before the House, delivered on July 25, 1974.

Impeachment Subject Files are organized alphabetically by topic and, in a few cases, by name (last name first).

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
Sub-series 2: Correspondence (Incoming)
1973-1974
1 cu. ft., Box 32

As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Representative Fish received letters and telegrams from constituents, from people around the country, and from legislators, urging him to consider their opinions on the impeachment, the hearings, and President Nixon. Nineteen folders of this correspondence are included here and organized chronologically (1973, January - July 1974, After Vote). The twentieth folder contains correspondence on the impeachment from his congressional colleagues.

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
Sub-series 3: Government Publications
1974
7 cu. ft., Boxes 33-39

The federal government issued masses of well-indexed documentation during this time to aid the Judiciary Committee in their work. This material, contained in the seven boxes of Government Publications, is arranged alphabetically by subject. The bulk of the sub-series is made up of "Books" that begin with material from 1969 focusing on events prior to the Watergate break-in and conclude five boxes later with "Impoundment of Funds; Government Expenditures on President Nixon's Private Properties at San Clemente and Key Biscayne." Only a few documents in this sub-series were annotated by the Congressman.

Series 4: Correspondence Files
1968-1994

See also:
Series 1: Personal Files, Box 1:Folders 40-49 (Correspondence)
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 2: Correspondence (Incoming), Box 32:Folders 1-20
Series 7. Political Files, Sub-series, 1. Election Campaigns, Box 85:Folders 8-19 (Congratulations)
Series 1. Personal Files, Box 1:Folders 40-49 (Correspondence)

Series 4: Correspondence Files
Sub-series 1: General
1968-1994
10 cu. ft., Boxes 40-49

This General sub-series runs intermittently from 1968-1994 and contains constituent letters to Representative Fish and the Congressman's responses as handled by him and his staff. The letters address matters of local, national, and international concern and often urge votes for or against specific issues. Also included are "case files" of letters requesting that the Congressman intervene in matters of importance to individual constituents.

The correspondence from Representative Fish's offices in this sub-series are actually carbon copies on either pink, yellow, green or white onion skin paper and are sometimes referred to in the records as "pinks" or "greens," etc. The initials of the staff member who drafted the letter are noted at the end of the text (HF:pjb, for instance). The series is organized chronologically by year, and in most instances, alphabetically by the first letter of the sender's last name (1982 (A-S), for

Series 4: Correspondence Files
Sub-series 2: Topical
1968-1994
8 cu. ft., Boxes 50-57

This Topical sub-series illustrates the range of subjects addressed by the 91st to 103rd Congresses (1968 -1994), and of concern to the public during the Congressman's tenure. The bulk consists of 63 folders of correspondence on Legislative Issues (1974-1994), primarily in the form of letters summarizing the Representative's opinion on a given issue, and is arranged chronologically, then for the period of 1981 to 1983, alphabetically by staff member's initials (Legislative Issues, 1981 January (TAS), for instance). Correspondence for 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988 is missing and, compared to the 28 folders for 1981 most other years are sparsely covered.

There are 15 folders of correspondence sent by well-wishers at the time of Representative Fish's announcement of his illness and subsequent retirement in March 1994, and 30 folders of appreciative correspondence to Representative Fish (1976-1994) thanking him for votes cast and services rendered. Twenty-two folders of correspondence from people the Congressman's staff considered very important are included in this sub-series. These folders contain letters from presidents, CEOs, congressional colleagues and other "VIPs."

Other topics of interest include congratulatory letters from Representative Fish's office to constituents; "Dear Colleague" letters to legislators; clippings of letters to the editor about the Congressman, and from him; telegrams received from 1966 to 1985; and correspondence with several U.S. Presidents.

The sub-series is arranged alphabetically by topic, location or sender/recipient (last name first). The wording on the original folders' labels has been retained as faithfully as possible. Individual items on a given topic are filed alphabetically in general topical correspondence by first letter of the topic, location or sender/recipient (e. g. -S- General topical correspondence). Because of the attempt by the processor to keep the original order in the collection, the researcher is as apt to find correspondence to and from government officials, lobbyists and organizational interests filed among the contents in folders in Subject Files (Series 5) and Legislative Files (Series 2, Sub-series 1) as here.

See also:
Series 7: Political Files, Sub-series 1:Election Campaigns, Box 85:Folders 6-19. (Congratulations)

Series 5: Subject Files
1968-1994
9 cu. ft., Boxes 58-66

Information in this series covers international, national and local topics, with the bulk of materials focused on issues of concern at the local level. Here is to be found evidence of the local issues which Representative Fish concentrated on: health care provision and hospital management, especially at the two Veterans Administration hospitals (Montrose and Castle Point) in his district; regional rail and air transportation (Amtrak, Conrail and Stewart Airport); energy (Iroquois Pipeline and the Marcy-South power line); the Hudson River; veterans' affairs; education, and issues concerning specific cities and towns in his district as well as New York State as a whole. He also served on the West Point Board of Visitors, the U.S. Military Academy being in his district, for 12 years and this series contains 19 folders of his board papers. These files also include papers related to Representative Fish's appointment to the F. D. R. Memorial Commission, which suggest there is now a congenial relationship between the Roosevelt and Fish families. Hamilton Fish Sr. (1888-1991) and Franklin D. Roosevelt were bitter political enemies.

Of interest perhaps to the researcher seeking background information, are a number of folders, compiled from miscellaneous items by the processor to give insight into the workings of the Congressman's Washington and district offices. These folders contain office policy and management documents and staff member lists, as well as office expense and schedule material, and maps of the 25th and 28th Congressional districts.

The folders in this series were garnered from the collection and arranged alphabetically rather than chronologically by year as they were found. The researcher will find subjects organized under one of three types of folder titles: 1) name titles (last name first), 2) location titles (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. or Haiti, for example) and 3) subject titles (Flag Decision, Supreme Court or Hudson River, 1984 Gasoline Spill, for example).

See also:
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z, Box 28:Folders 9-12

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
1966-1994

Grouped in this series are the materials that document Representative Fish's relations with both the press (Clippings, Press Releases and Radio and TV Appearances) and his constituents (Events, Guest Books/Intern Cards, Newsletters/ Mailers/ Questionnaires, and Civic Speeches).

See also:
Series 4: Correspondence Files, Sub-series 2: Topical, Box 50: Folders 64-66 (Letters to the Editor).

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
Sub-series 1: Clippings
1966-1994
2 cu. ft., Boxes 67-68

The newspaper, magazine and newsletter articles collected here document Representative Fish's public image as reported by the press. These clippings either feature articles on Representative Fish or mention his involvement with a certain issue, and chronicle his activities both in Washington and in his home district. They are arranged in chronological order by year. Numerous tributes and profiles, written at the time of his retirement (1994), provide an overview and analysis of his political career.

See also:
Series 1: Personal Files, Box 1:Folders 10, 11(Genealogical and family history, Father) 15 (Genealogical and family history, Sons) and 1 (Genealogical and family history, Wives).
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z, Box 28:Folders 7-12.(Clippings)
Series 7: Political Files, Sub-series 1: Election Campaigns, Box 85:5. (Clippings, 1974, 1978)

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
Sub-series 2: Events
1969-1994
2 cu.ft., Boxes 69-70

During his tenure Representative Fish hosted events, many of them annual, designed either to draw attention to, or to provide a forum for, special constituencies in his district. Apple farmers were annually invited to Washington to promote New York State apples (1969-1979). Also in Washington, seminars, speeches and photo sessions were scheduled for Chamber of Commerce Day (1975-1990), Leadership Days (1971-1978) for both Labor and Business, and the longstanding Women's Leadership Day (originally called "Ladies' Leadership Day") from 1972-1994.

Also included in this sub-series are materials documenting the testimonials, roasts and galas held in Representative Fish's honor and for "Steer and Beer," a picnic for constituents of all political stripes the Congressman hosted for at least nine years in the 1970s and 1980s. In his district he convened senior citizens task forces (1973-1980) and held town and neighborhood meetings, and veterans' meetings. This sub-series documents these events as well.

See also:
Series 5: Subject Files, Box 59: Folders 42-46. (Health Care Reform, 1992 Hudson Valley Conference)

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
Sub-series 3: Guest Books/Intern Cards
1969-1994
1 cu. ft., Box 71

The complete run of guest books, signed by visitors to his Washington office, is included in this sub-series, as are file cards with contact information for the many student interns he mentored.

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
Sub-series 4: Newsletters/ Mailers/ Questionnaires/ Radio and TV Appearances
1968-1994
1 cu. ft., Box 72

Representative Fish's office produced newsletters, questionnaires and reports to constituents in his district to keep them up-to-date on issues he deemed important, and to poll their opinions on those issues. These are included in this sub-series along with, in some cases, annotated drafts; three folders documenting his radio and TV appearances; and eight folders of special interest mailers.

See also:
Series 8. Audio/Visual Materials. Sub-Series 2: Audiotapes, Box 93:Folders 1,2,15,16,26 and 27. (Radio Broadcasts)
Series 8. Audio/Visual Materials, Sub-Series 3: Videotapes, Box 95:Folders 2-11, Box 96:Folders 4-14, Box 97:Folders 2 and 7-17, Box 98:Folders 1-3.(Television Broadcasts)

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
Sub-series 5: Press Releases
1968-1994
3 cu. ft., Boxes 73-75

The Press Releases Series consists of copies of news releases on letterhead issued by Representative Fish's office along with some background materials. Arranged by date, they provide a year-by-year chronicle of Fish's activities, opinions, statements, and positions; and a window on the issues Fish deemed newsworthy.

The chronological arrangement is accomplished by year, month and day, and the individual press releases are arranged with the final version first, followed any accompanying materials. Six of the 27 years covered by the series are indexed by subject. The early years are more sparsely represented than the late 1980s and 1990s, there is no material at all for 1976.

See also:
Series 7: Political Files, Sub-series 1: Election Campaigns, Box 86:Folder 13. (Releases)

Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations
Sub-series 6: Speeches, Civic
1963-1994
9 cu. ft., Boxes 76-84

Contained in this series are copies of the speeches that Representative Fish delivered to civic groups, organizations and institutions. The majority of them were delivered in his district. Typical of the addresses that legislators are expected to give, they commemorated patriotic holidays and groundbreakings, and were delivered at commencements, tributes, award presentations, and dedications. The Congressman addressed special interest groups (veterans, senior citizens, chambers of commerce, various ethnic groups, etc.) on issues of concern to them, and brought the affairs of Washington home to his district, always with an eye to their effect on his constituents. The folder list that follows notes the topics of special interest covered by speeches in all years except those that have been indexed.

Most speeches are the result of several drafts, many of them copiously annotated in pencil in the Congressman's handwriting. These drafts are included, along with the research material (clippings, reports, notes, etc.) used in the speechwriting. The chronological arrangement of the series is accomplished by year, month and day of the speech; and the individual speeches are arranged with the final version first, followed by previous drafts and background material.

See also:
Series 1:. Personal Files, Box 1:Folders 17-39 (Awards, citations and honors, 1973-1994)
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z, Box 29:Folders 17-18 (Speeches)
Series 7. Political Files, Sub-series 1. Election Campaigns, Box 86:Folders 20-23 (Speeches)
Series 7. Political Files, Sub-series 2. Republican Party, Box 86:Folders 33-35 (Speeches) and Box 87:Folders 1-25 (Speeches)

Series 7: Political Files
Sub-series 1: Election Campaigns
1966-1994
1 ½ cu. ft., Boxes 85-86

Representative Fish ran unsuccessfully for the House in 1966. Following that early defeat, he successfully ran for office every two years, until he retired in 1994. This sub-series consists of material that documents those fourteen campaigns and is weighted heavily towards items related to campaign fundraising matters. Also included are fourteen folders of the congratulatory correspondence from constituents and colleagues that followed each re-election. Campaign speeches for 1980, 1984, and 1992, and Representative Fish's withdrawal speech (1994) are housed in this sub-series.

Arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically, the Election Campaign Sub-series is not complete. Some materials document each of Representative Fish's election campaigns, but no single campaign comes even close to being documented thoroughly.

See also:
Series 2: Legislative Files, Sub-series 2: Legislative, Briefing and Conference Binders, Box 18: Folders 3-20 (Campaign Books) and Box 19:Folders1-4 (Campaign Books)

Series 7: Political Files
Sub-series 2: Republican Party
1969-1994
1 ½ cu. ft., Boxes 86-87

Representative Fish's affiliations to the GOP are documented in this sub-series, the bulk of which consists of the speeches made to GOP groups and organizations. As in Series 6, Sub-series 6, most speeches are the result of several drafts, many of them copiously annotated in pencil in Representative Fish's handwriting. These drafts are included, along with the research material (clippings, reports, notes, etc.) used for the speechwriting. The sub-series also contains a small amount of material from when Mr. Fish served on Senator Jacob Javits's re-election campaign committee.

Series 8: Photographs
1960s-1994
5 cu. ft., Boxes 88-92

The eighth series contains print photographs and negatives. The bulk of the images have Representative Fish in the frame, and range from photographs of Fish as Grand Marshall leading a St. Patrick's Day Parade, to posing with apple queens, with school children on the steps of the Capitol, or with visiting constituents in his Washington office. There are also images of the Congressman attending functions at the White House, debating on the House floor, talking with refugees during a fact-finding mission, and accepting honors at award banquets. In short, the five cubic feet of photographs richly illustrate the life (1960s) and congressional career (1968-1994) of Representative Fish.

The photographs are arranged chronologically by year, followed by sixteen folders of images with unknown dates, and four folders of black and white negatives in labeled envelopes. There are a number of photographs of Representative Fish with well-known individuals. Their names, and the corresponding date of the photograph in which they appear, are indicated in the folder list.

See also:
Series 1, Personal Files, Box 9:5-8. (Photographs, Portraits of HF)
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z, Box 30:Folder 10. (Photographs)

Series 9: Audio/Visual Materials
1969-1994

Series 9: Audio/Visual Materials
Sub-Series 1: Audiotapes
1970-1989 and undated material
2 cu. ft., Boxes 93-94

Representative Fish's office began adding audiotapes to their records in the 1970s and this sub-series contains a total of seventy. They were not played back during processing. Therefore the information written on or accompanying each item, if it existed, was not verified, but copied into this finding aid verbatim. Media formats have been described as thoroughly as possible to facilitate transfer and/or migration.

The sub-series is arranged first chronologically when a date is given. When no date is given, tapes are arranged alphabetically by subject as indicated. Finally, when no information is available, items are arranged by medium.

Series 9: Audio/Visual Materials
Sub-Series 2: Motion Picture Film
1969-1971 and undated material
½ cu. ft., Box 94

There are eleven items in this sub-series, dating from 1969-1971. They were not projected during processing. Therefore the information written on or accompanying each item, if it existed, was not verified, but copied into this finding aid verbatim. When the subject is unclear or non-existent, the first few frames were inspected and described in a note.

Media formats have been described as thoroughly as possible to facilitate transfer and/or migration. The sub-series is arranged alphabetically by subject as indicated.

Series 9: Audio/Visual Materials
Sub-Series 3: Video Tapes
1982-1995 and undated material
4 cu. ft., Boxes 94-98

These video tapes were not played back during processing. Therefore the description in this finding aid was copied verbatim from information written on or accompanying each tape. Since without viewing then, there is no way of knowing if the data on any single tape is accessible, no duplicate copies have been culled. Multiple copies are arranged together and a note indicates that there are multiple copies of a given tape. In all cases, the media formats have been described as thoroughly as possible to facilitate transfer and/or migration.

First, when the date is available, this sub-series is arranged chronologically. When no date is given, tapes are arranged alphabetically by subject. The final arrangement - a chronological one - is for a monthly program hosted by Representative Fish, Fact and Comment. The program was taped in the House Recording Studio and copies were mailed to television news directors with the "hope that you have found a regular time slot in your local-origination programming" for the show. The collection includes Fact and Comment tapes for 11 programs, dating from October 1987 - March 1989. Tapes for a given show may be in more than one format.
A folder of the printed, descriptive material that accompanied some of the tapes is also included in the sub-series.

See also:
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z, Box 31:Folder 9. ( Videotape)
Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations, Sub-series 4: Newsletters/ Mailers/ Questionnaires/ Radio and TV Appearances, Box 72:17-19 (Radio and TV Appearances)

Series 9: Audio/Visual Materials
Sub-Series 4: Floppy Discs
ca. 1994
Box 98

This series consists of seven floppy discs, all entitled "Legislative Mail, Congressman Hamilton Fish," thought to be from 1994. These discs were not examined during processing. Therefore the description in this finding aid was copied verbatim from information written on or accompanying each disc.

Series 10: Scrapbooks, Ephemera and Artifacts
1963-1994
3 cu. ft., Boxes 99-101

The bulk of this series is made up of paper documents, including twelve scrapbooks. There are also numerous award certificates and organization membership cards; an autographed bill and some annotated or autographed programs; the calling card of Fidel Castro; a poster and a Congressman Ham Fish, Jr. Circus Coloring Book from a circus presented by the Friends of Fish; the Congressman's member pass and his 1970 passport; and several folders of campaign ephemera including bumper stickers, handouts, posters, and an Our Congressman Ham Fish, Jr. grocery bag.

Nine of the thirteen scrapbook albums either contained the typical 1970s sticky pages or their covers were in poor condition. In those nine cases, the material was removed from the scrapbook and placed, in its original order, in folders entitled with the dates and/or subject of the scrapbook in question. In the case of newspaper clippings particularly, when it was impossible to remove them from the sticky pages, the sticky pages were copied and the copy included in the folder.

Some miscellaneous artifacts (three dimensional objects) were also found among the Congressman's papers. They were retained for the collection and include: a gavel, two license plates, a Re-elect Ham Fish, Jr. litter bag, a 45 rpm record, numerous campaign and issue buttons, and a red felt Youth for Fish banner.

See also:
Series 6: Press/Constituent Relations, Sub-series 4: Newsletters/ Mailers/ Questionnaires/ Radio and TV Appearances, Box 72:17-19.

CONTAINER LIST

Series 1: Personal Files
through 1994
9 cu. ft.

The Personal Files contain biographical material about Hamilton Fish, Jr. and his family; genealogical information on his ancestors; documentation (including correspondence and annotated acceptance speeches) of the awards and honors he received, and in some cases the actual awards; schedules, and schedule and appointment cards for the years he was in office; documentation of his official trips (1970-1989); and a small collection of his official photographic portraits.

Series 2: Legislative Files
1968-1994

Legislative Files document the work carried out by Representative Fish and his staff in his offices in Washington and at home in his district.

Sub-series 1: Legislative Subject Files (A-Z)
1968-1994
8 cu. ft., Boxes 10-17

Issues of particular interest to Representative Fish can be deduced from these Legislative Subject Files. They cover a wide range of subjects including: Americans with disabilities, the AT&T consent decree hearing, the Bottlers' Bill, the Brady Bill and gun control, civil rights, copyright protection, crime, the death penalty, the Equal Rights Amendment, habeas corpus, health care reform, immigration, the Iraq investigation hearings, the Judiciary Committee, legal services, nuclear energy, the Outer Continental Shelf, refugees, the Savings and Loan Bill, Soviet Jewry, Travelgate, voting rights, the Waco hearings, and the Wetlands Bill.

This series is arranged alphabetically by subject then chronologically (Intellectual Property 1990, 1991 or Soviet Jewry 1975-1981, for instance).

Series 2: Legislative Files
Sub-series 2: Legislative, Briefing and Conference Binders
1974-1994
7 cu. ft, Boxes 18-24

The contents of this sub-series consists of materials distributed to legislators by the Government Printing Office documenting legislative activity, legislative profiles and voting records; briefing materials for various hearings, committees and commissions; and material received by Representative Fish as a participant in Aspen Institutes for Humanistic Studies held between 1987 and 1994.

Of particular interest are eight Campaign Binders - briefing books prepared for Representative Fish's use during his 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1988 election campaigns. They were organized by issue/subject and contain a wealth of information on the Congressman's stand on, and votes for or against, issues of the day, including abortion, banking, busing, campaign reform, capital punishment, civil rights, consumer issues, crime, defense, district matters, drugs, the economy, education, energy, the ERA, the environment, foreign policy, health, housing, labor, senior citizens, small business, social services, veterans, and women and families. Also included are two Category Books which list the roll call number, date, member (Representative Fish's) vote and description for all bills acted upon during the 94th Congress. These books are organized categorically ("Agriculture," "Handicapped," or "Southeast Asia," for example).

As it was received, the collection contained many binders compiled by subject. Material in these binders was rehoused in folders and labeled as the binders were labeled (Legislative Activity Guide 1991-1994, for instance).

Series 2: Legislative Files
Sub-series 3: Floor Statements/Remarks/Speeches/Tributes
1969-1994
4 cu. ft., Boxes 25-27

This sub-series is comprised of floor statements, remarks, speeches and tributes--in effect, all the public orations made by Representative Fish on the House Floor. In most cases, annotated drafts and background material accompany the final versions of each address. This sub-series is organized chronologically.

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
1973-1974

This series is made up of files generated by Representative Fish while a member of the House Judiciary Committee during hearings on the impeachment Richard Nixon (1973-1974). These have been filed separately from other Legislative Files due to their bulk, and to the importance that the Nixon impeachment played in Representative Fish's career.

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
Sub-series 1: Impeachment Subject Files A-Z
1973-1974
4 cu. ft., Boxes 28-31

Material throughout this sub-series is annotated by Representative Fish. Of major interest are the 15 folders of the Congressman's handwritten notes (HF's Notes) made during the hearings and organized by month or subject; 6 folders of his annotated speeches, reports and statements; an annotated Report on Constitutional Grounds for Presidential Impeachment, an annotated Standard for Presidential Impeachment issued by the White House; and the annotated transcripts of Recorded Presidential Conversations (1971-1973). Newspaper articles about the impeachment that mention Fish were assiduously clipped and are included here, as is a video recording of Representative Fish's statement before the House, delivered on July 25, 1974.

Impeachment Subject Files are organized alphabetically by topic and, in a few cases, by name (last name first).

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
Sub-series 2: Correspondence (Incoming)
1973-1974
1 cu. ft., Box 32

As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Representative Fish received letters and telegrams from constituents, from people around the country, and from legislators, urging him to consider their opinions on the impeachment, the hearings, and President Nixon. Nineteen folders of this correspondence are included here and organized chronologically (1973, January - July 1974, After Vote). The twentieth folder contains correspondence on the impeachment from his congressional colleagues.

Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files
Sub-series 3: Government Publications
1974
7 cu. ft., Boxes 33-39

The federal government issued masses of well-indexed documentation during this time to aid the Judiciary Committee in their work. This material, contained in the seven boxes of Government Publications, is arranged alphabetically by subject. The bulk of the sub-series is made up of "Books" that begin with material from 1969 focusing on events prior to the Watergate break-in and conclude five boxes later with "Impoundment of Funds; Government Expenditures on President Nixon's Private Properties at San Clemente and Key Biscayne." Only a few documents in this sub-series were annotated by the Congressman.

Series 4: Correspondence Files
1968-1994

See also:
Series 1: Personal Files, Box 1:Folders 40-49 (Correspondence)
Series 3: Nixon Impeachment Files, Sub-series 2: Correspondence (Incoming), Box 32:Folders 1-20
Series 7. Political Files, Sub-series, 1. Election Campaigns, Box 85:Folders 8-19 (Congratulations)
Series 1. Personal Files, Box 1:Folders 40-49 (Correspondence)

Series 4: Correspondence Files
Sub-series 1: General
1968-1994
10 cu. ft., Boxes 40-49

This General sub-series runs intermittently from 1968-1994 and contains constituent letters to Representative Fish and the Congressman's responses as handled by him and his staff. The letters address matters of local, national, and international concern and often urge votes for or against specific issues. Also included are "case files" of letters requesting that the Congressman intervene in matters of importance to individual constituents.

The correspondence from Representative Fish's offices in this sub-series are actually carbon copies on either pink, yellow, green or white onion skin paper and are sometimes referred to in the records as "pinks" or "greens," etc. The initials of the staff member who drafted the letter are noted at the end of the text (HF:pjb, for instance). The series is organized chronologically by year, and in most instances, alphabetically by the first letter of the sender's last name (1982 (A-S), for instance).

Series 4: Correspondence Files
Sub-series 2: Topical
1968-1994
8 cu. ft., Boxes 50-57

This Topical sub-series illustrates the range of subjects addressed by the 91st to 103rd Congresses (1968 -1994), and of concern to the public during the Congressman's tenure. The bulk consists of 63 folders of correspondence on Legislative Issues (1974-1994), primarily in the form of letters summarizing the Representative's opinion on a given issue, and is arranged chronologically, then for the period of 1981 to 1983, alphabetically by staff member's initials (Legislative Issues, 1981 January (TAS), for instance). Correspondence for 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988 is missing and, compared to the 28 folders for 1981 most other years are sparsely covered.

There are 15 folders of correspondence sent by well-wishers at the time of Representative Fish's announcement of his illness and subsequent retirement in March 1994, and 30 folders of appreciative correspondence to Representative Fish (1976-1994) thanking him for votes cast and services rendered. Twenty-two folders of correspondence from people the Congressman's staff considered very important are included in this sub-series. These folders contain letters from presidents, CEOs, congressional colleagues and other "VIPs."

Other topics of interest include congratulatory letters from Representative Fish's office to constituents; "Dear Colleague" letters to legislators; clippings of letters to the editor about the Congressman, and from him; telegrams received from 1966 to 1985; and correspondence with several U.S. Presidents.

The sub-series is arranged alphabetically by topic, location or sender/recipient (last name first). The wording on the original folders' labels has been retained as faithfully as possible. Individual items on a given topic are filed alphabetically in general topical correspondence by first letter of the topic, location or sender/recipient (e. g. -S- General topical correspondence). Because of the attempt by the processor to keep the original order in the collection, the researcher is as apt to find correspondence to and from government officials, lobbyists and organizational interests filed among the contents in folders in Subject Files (Series 5) and Legislative Files (Series 2, Sub-series 1) as here.

See also:
Series 7: Political Files, Sub-series 1:Election Campaigns, Box 85:Folders 6-19. (Congratulations)