Records of the Speechwriter's Office: a Guide to Its Records at the Jimmy
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441 Freedom Parkway NE Atlanta, GA 30307 http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov Records of the Speechwriter’s Office: A Guide to Its Records at the Jimmy Carter Library Collection Summary Creator: Speechwriter’s Office Title: Records of the Speechwriter’s Office Dates: 1977-1981 Quantity: 66 linear feet, 8 linear inches, 170 containers Identification: Accession Number: 80-1 National Archives Identifier: 1116 Scope and Content: This collection consist of speeches, speech drafts, edited and final copies, press releases, press conference transcripts, briefing material, fact sheets, news clippings, correspondence, resumes, job applications, notes, reports, background material, and publications. The background material was used in preparing the speeches. Also included are internal staff communications, statements, and annotations within the speech drafts by the President, Vice-President, and other administration officials. The collection also includes speeches and speech drafts for Rosalyn Carter and other members of the White House Staff. Reference material on various topics related to the 1980 campaign, and information on Ronald Reagan’s statements are also included. General topics of speeches include civil service reform, education, energy, hospital cost containment, and inflation. Prominent speeches, such as the State of the Union Addresses, are accompanied by input from various departments, advisors, and Cabinet members. Creator Information: Speechwriter’s Office The Speechwriter’s Office prepared various drafts of Presidential speeches and reviewed material that was issued under the President’s signature. The office was responsible for the phrasing of the document and not the content. The speechwriters produced a speech draft that was readable, understandable, and presented a proper tone. President Carter would comment and revise the drafts as he saw fit. The speechwriters also drafted speeches for various staff personnel. The chief speechwriter supervised the daily operations of the entire speech-writing staff. The speechwriters originally worked for Press Secretary Jody Powell. In 1978, the speechwriting function shifted to the Office of Gerald Rafshoon. When Rafshoon left the White House in September 1979, the speechwriting functions were transferred to Al McDonald’s Office who was Assistant to the President and Staff Director. Jim Fallows served as Chief Speechwriter for President Carter until November 1978. Hendrik Hertzberg became Chief Speechwriter in May 1979. There were ten other speechwriters that worked for the Carter Administration. Biographical information on key office personnel is located at the end of the finding aid. Restrictions: Restrictions on Access: These papers contain documents restricted in accordance with applicable executive order(s), which governs National Security policies, applicable statutes/agency restrictions, and material which has been closed in accordance with the donor’s deed of gift. Terms Governing Use and Reproduction: Copyright interest in these papers has been donated to the United States Government. Some of the records may be subject to copyright restrictions (i.e. newspapers, publications, etc.). Researchers should contact the publisher for further information. Related Material: Related materials in this repository: White House Central Files Subject File, Speeches category; White House Press Office Files; Gerald M. Rafshoon Collection Index Terms: Limited to major topics under each category Persons: James Fallow, Hendrik Hertzberg, Achsah P. Nesmith, Lynn Sandage, Jean Marie Sandage, Bob Rackleff , Chris Matthews, Gordon Stewart, Jack Kaplan, Anna Simons Subjects: Civil service reform, education, employment, energy, foreign policy, inflation, hospital cost containment, regulatory reform, State of the Union Types of Material: Speech drafts, speeches, press releases, press conference transcripts, briefing material, correspondence, reports, notes, resumes Administrative Information: Preferred citation: [Type of Document], [Names of Sender and Recipient or Title of Document], [Date], [Collection Title], [Series Title], [Folder Title], [Box Number], Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Acquisition information: These historical materials were received under provisions of the instrument of gift that Jimmy Carter signed January 31, 1981. Records of the Speechwriter’s Office 2 Processing information: The first series of the collection was opened in October 1991. The open dates are indicated in the series descriptions. System of Arrangement: The records of the Speechwriter’s Office are divided into nine series: Series Title National Archives Identifier James Fallows' Subject Files 163107 James Fallows' Chronological Files 163068 Achsah Nesmith's Subject Files 163108 Achsah Nesmith's Chronological Files 163229 Achsah Nesmith's 1980 Campaign Files 163311 Speechwriter’s Administrative Files 163333 Speechwriter’s Subject Files 163384 Speechwriter’s Chronological Files 163759 Saar and Sandage Files 165195 Detailed Description of the Collection James Fallows' Subject Files Scope and Content: Containers 1-13. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of speech drafts, press releases, press conference transcripts, correspondence, memoranda, notes, briefing material, resumes, news clippings, and printed material. The speech drafts also include marginal comments and annotations of various officials; and statements made by the President, Vice-President, and other administration officials. Arranged alphabetically by folder title and there under chronologically. James Fallows' Chronological Files Scope and Content: Containers 14-19. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, press releases, speech drafts, and background material. Arranged chronologically. Achsah Nesmith's Subject Files Scope and Content: Containers 1-7. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of speech drafts and final copies, memorandums, fact sheets, notes, press releases, and background material used in preparing the speeches. In addition to speeches and drafts for President Carter, there are drafts of speeches for Rosalynn Carter and various members of the White House Staff. Arranged alphabetically by folder title and there under chronologically. Achsah Nesmith's Chronological Files Scope and Content: Containers 8-9. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of speech drafts and final copies, memoranda, and press releases. The name of the speechwriter is indicated on each folder title. Arranged chronologically. Records of the Speechwriter’s Office 3 Achsah Nesmith's 1980 Campaign Files Scope and Content: Containers 10-11. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of background material, fact sheets, and reports. Included is reference material on various topics related to the Presidential campaign of that year. The background material is related to specific states and cities, indicating Democratic Party strengths in the 1976 election and the effects of the Carter Administration’s policies. Speechwriter’s Administrative Files Scope and Content: Containers 1-5. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of correspondence, telephone logs, resumes and job applications of individuals seeking employment, internships, and volunteer positions. Writing samples are attached with each resume. Arranged alphabetically by folder title. Speechwriter’s Subject Files Scope and Content: Containers 1-33. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of memoranda, press releases, notes, proclamations, reports, publications, and speeches. Major topics include civil service reform, education, energy, hospital cost containment, inflation, and foreign policy. Folders entitled National Security Council (NSC) edits have many documents withdrawn due to national security information. Arranged alphabetically by folder title. Speechwriter’s Chronological Files Scope and Content: Containers 1-85. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of speech drafts, edits, press releases, memoranda, briefings, background material, and printed material. Included are pen or pencil annotations by speechwriters, Cabinet personnel, and occasionally President Carter. Prominent speeches, such as the State of the Union Addresses, are accompanied by input from various departments, advisors, and cabinet members. Short speeches take the form of “Talking Points” from which President Carter world extemporize. Arranged chronologically. Saar and Sandage’s Files Scope and Content: Containers 1-7. This series was opened in October 1991. This series consists of speech drafts, correspondence, memoranda, reports, articles, and proclamations. The files are made up of material contributed by all of the Presidential speechwriters and maintained by Secretaries Jean Marie Saar and Lynn Sandage. Arranged chronologically. Return to series list Records of the Speechwriter’s Office 4 Container List James Fallows' Subject Files Container 1 Acceptance Speech - New York City, 7/15/76 [CF, O/A 530] Administrative Information - Speechwriters Staff, 1977 [CF, O/A 527] Aerospace Industry [CF, O/A 527] American Bar Association - Atlanta, 8/11/76 [CF, O/A 530] American Council on Germany Conference - Berlin, 8/14-18/77 [CF, O/A 527] [1] American Council on Germany Conference - Berlin, 8/14-18/77 [CF, O/A 527] [2] American Council on Germany Conference - Berlin, 8/14-18/77 [CF, O/A 527] [3] American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial