sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ed Koch, Emanuel Celler, Howard Golden, Jacob Javits, Kenneth Keating

Guide to the Collection

Brooklyn Public Library Grand Army Plaza , NY 11238

Contact: Brooklyn Collection Phone: 718.230.2762 Fax: 718.857.2245 Email: [email protected] www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org

Finding aid prepared by Joy Holland Copyright © 2012 Brooklyn Public Library. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Emanuel Celler Title: The Emanuel Celler Collection Date Span: 1914-1981 Abstract: The collection consists of four series. Series I: Miscellaneous invitations, honors and other papers Series II: Speeches and other writings by Emanuel Celler Series III: Photographs, legislative bills and other memorabilia Series IV: Bronze bust of Emanuel Celler by Nathan Rapoport Quantity: 7 boxes, 14 unboxed framed items, and one bust Location: Morgue, Shelves 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 Repository: Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection Reference Code: BC0212

Biographical History

Emanuel Celler was born on May 6, 1888 in a frame house on Sumner Avenue near Floyd St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the third of four children. His father owned a “whisky rectifying” business, but when it failed the elder Celler began working as a wine salesman. Emanuel graduated from Boys’ High School in 1906, and after his father’s death took over his wine route, while at the same time studying law at . In 1914 he married Stella Baar. The couple had two daughters, one of whom suffered from cerebral palsy. Stella Baar Celler died in 1966. In 1922 Celler was asked if he would like to be the Democratic party’s nominee for Congress in the 10th District, which had thus far never sent a Democrat to Congress. Celler campaigned hard and won the election by just over 3,111 votes, remaining in Congress for fifty years until Elizabeth Holzman, 53 years his junior, beat him in the primary of 1972. Celler’s tenure in Congress endured through nine presidencies. An active and feisty legislator, he devoted himself to the struggle for civil rights legislation, helping to craft the landmark . He was also particularly interested in antitrust laws and was a forceful voice in reforming exclusionary immigration laws. His battles on this front culminated in the Hart-Celler Law of 1965 which eliminated national origin as a basis for exclusion. During the 1940s he worked to allow victims of the Holocaust to enter the U.S., castigating as “cold and cruel” the immigration policy of the day. He was also a vocal opponent of McCarthysim. Celler served as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 1949 to 1973. A strong supporter of , he was honored by several Jewish organizations, receiving an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University. Brooklyn College also conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In later years Celler lived at 9 West. After retiring from the House the former Congressman remained busy, speaking on the many issues that had occupied him through his years in Congress. He died at the age of 92 on January 15, 1981.

Scope and Content The Emanuel Celler Collection consists of mementoes, awards and photographs documenting Celler’s fifty-year career in Congress. It contains invitations to events such as Presidential Inaugurations and White House dinners, speeches given at award ceremonies, and the awards themselves, many of which decorated the walls of Celler’s study. There are also two small notebooks containing jokes and aphorisms, presumably for use in writing speeches, as well as cartoons and newspaper articles that signal Celler’s importance in public life. The other significant components of the collection are a series of framed Public Laws passed by Congress and Constitutional Amendments, with which Celler was associated as principal author. The pen with which the President at the time signed the Act into law was framed alongside the act and presented to the author. The bulk of Emanuel Celler’s papers are located at the Library of Congress. A collection of photographs, many of them signed by the donors, document Celler’s warm relationships with prominent statesmen and lawmakers. A large bronze bust of Celler is by Nathan Rapoport, a sculptor well known for his various Holocaust memorials.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions Collection is located in the Brooklyn Collection at the Central Branch at Grand Army Plaza. The collection may only be used in the library and is not available through interlibrary loan. Requests to view the collection must be made at least 48 hours in advance of visit.

Use Restrictions While many items in the Brooklyn Collection are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The borrower assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.

Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 2 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection

Access Points

Subject Topics: Celler, Emanuel 1888-1981 —Politics and government—20th century Legislators— (State) Presidents—United States—inauguration Antitrust law Civil Rights Federal Reserve banks Palestine Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous) 1913-1994—Impeachment Equal Rights Amendments

Related Materials

Emanuel Celler, You never leave Brooklyn. New York: John Day Co, 1953. Brooklyn Collection Ref B C3929

Oral history interview [transcription] with Emanuel Celler, Member of Congress from New York, 1923- 1973 recorded by Ronald J. Grele and Charles T Morrissey for Former members of Congress Inc as part of its project The Modern Congress in American History, April 3, 1978. Brooklyn Collection Ref B C3929 C

Civil Rights in Brooklyn Collection. Brooklyn Collection, map room

BBF file, Celler, Emanuel

Brooklyn Daily Eagle morgue clippings

Photographs: NEIG 1303, CLUB 0082, CLUB 0088, WORK 0781, PORT 0240

Administrative Information

Provenance Gift of Mrs. Jane Wertheimer (daughter of Emanuel Celler)

Preferred Citation This collection should be cited as the Emanuel Celler Collection, Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection.

Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 3 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection

Arrangement The collection is arranged thematically into four series. A box listing that details the location of each item is at the end of this document.

Series 1. Miscellaneous invitations, honors and other papers 1.1 Materials pertaining to the inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jan 20th 1945. Includes: invitation to inaugural dinner at Mayflower Hotel; dinner program and menu; seating list; 2 admission tickets numbered 311 and 312 to inaugural ceremonies; program of ceremonies attending the inauguration; invitation to White House luncheon after inaugural ceremonies; invitation to Democratic National Committee reception, Jan 19 1945 1.2 Materials pertaining to the inauguration of Harry Truman and Alben W. Barkley, Jan 20, 1949 1. Invitation to inaugural ceremony 2. Platform ticket 3. Inauguration ceremonies program 4. Registered card G1695 to inaugural dinner 5. Seating list, inaugural dinner at Mayflower Hotel 6. Program and menu, inaugural dinner 7. Program, inaugural ball 8. 2 tickets 5769 and 5770 to inaugural ball, Jan 20, 1949 9. Menu, inaugural dinner, National Truman Barkley Club, Jan 18, 1949 1.3 Invitation to the 1961 inauguration of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Baines Johnson (two copies. Includes ticket to President’s platform) 1.4 White House and other Invitations from 1930s and 1940s: 1. President and Mrs. Roosevelt, Jan 23, 1936 2. Tea with Mrs. Roosevelt Jan 17, 1938 3. President and Mrs. Roosevelt, reception Jun 12, 1937 4. President and Mrs. Roosevelt, reception Jan 31, 1935. Includes dried boutonniere 5. President and Mrs. Roosevelt, reception Jan 28, 1937 (includes ticket for display on car) 6. President and Mrs. Roosevelt, reception, Jan 18, 1938 7. Invitation to inauguration of Herbert H. Lehman at Governor of NY State, Jan 1, 1935 1.5 1. Namm Loeser’s certificate and photograph, Celler honored as “Brooklyn Personality of the Week,” Aug 5, 1953 2. Member of Congress Certificate of Service 1923-1973 3. Copy of marriage license certifying marriage on June 30, 1914 to Stella Baar. Dated 4/17/1964 5. Citation for outstanding contribution in field of government, Who’s Who in the East, Oct 25, 1965 6. Letter thanking Celler for creation of Judith Celler Shakespeare Scholarship at Brooklyn College, CUNY, March 28, 1971 7. Two tickets to dedication ceremony of Emanuel Celler Federal Building, Oct 26, 1973. 8. American Bar Association fifty years of membership certificate 9. Brookdale Hospital Center resolution to name a new staff residence the Stella Baar Celler Staff Residence. May 12, 1967 (11.5” x 15.5”)

Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 4 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection

1.6 Commemorative Book II (there is no Book I) dated 1967 on spine, but contents are all dated 1972. Approx 80 letters of appreciation for Celler’s 50 years of service. Writers include Vernon Jordan (then Executive Director, national Urban League); Lord Janner, and many lawyers, businessmen and ordinary citizens. 1.7 Brooklyn College Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree, certificate, program of commencement exercises, correspondence and Celler’s remarks at the ceremony, June 5, 1973 1.8 1. Register of friends who called (probably to sit Shiva after Celler’s death.) Howard Golden is second in the list. 2. Congressional Record, Monday Feb 2, 1981. Contains tributes to Emanuel Celler pp. 307 ff. 3. Remarks of Judge Irving Ben Cooper at the Funeral Services for Congressman Emanuel Celler, , January 18, 1981 (2 copies) 4. In Memoriam Emanuel Celler, January 23, 1981 Memorial Service remarks by , , and others. 1.9 Obituaries, 1981 1.10 Two academic hoods, one Doctor of Laws from Brooklyn College CUNY, the other possibly Yeshiva University (Doctor of Laws 1971)

Series 2. Speeches and other writings by Emanuel Celler 2.1 1. Diary, 2.5” x 4” dated 1935 on cover, containing appointments up to May; following pages contain jokes, anecdotes, aphorisms etc. 2. Small notebook containing notes, jokes etc for speeches. 2.2 Miscellaneous speeches 1929-1978 2.3 Statement on the betrayal of Palestine, 1943 2.4 Speech on being honored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, 1973 2.5 Views on impeachment, 1973 2.6 Antitrust hearings, statement 2.7 Opinion of Walter Wriston on Federal Reserve 2.8 Statement at Annual dinner of Indians in America, 1977. Includes 2 photographs. 2.9 “Double taxation laws.” Clips, speech, article, 1975-77 2.10 Clippings, articles and speech on antitrust laws, 1977 2.11 Articles on opposition to the E.R.A. c. 1978 2.12 Misc. correspondence 1953-1975 2.13 Misc correspondence 1968- 1978 Includes letters from Jr, Irving Kaufman, Barnett Janner, Schuyler Chapin, Elizabeth Holzman. 2.14 Sketch, poetic excerpts 2.15 Gift to Brooklyn Museum 1973 2.16 Deposition of papers to Library of Congress 2.17 News clips 1972-1978 2.18 News clips 1960-1972

Series 3. Photographs, legislative bills and other memorabilia

Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 5 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection

3.1 Group of c.50 unframed photographs, Celler alone and in groups 3.2 27 11 x 14 photographs mounted on board 3.3 Framed photographs, ephemera and awards 3.3.1 Celler with John McCormick, House Speaker and another man 3.3.2 On the occasion of the visit of Chairman Celler to West Publishing Co, St. Paul Minn, Aug 2nd 1956 3.3.3 Sketch of Mrs Stella Celler by Hugh Waller, 1933 3.3.4 Framed photograph of guests at an official dinner, signed by each guest. Emanuel Celler and Congresswoman Edna F. Kelly are seated at the far right. 3.3.5 Color photograph includes Lyndon B. Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, E. Celler and others. “Ceremony commemorating the ratification of the 25th amendment to the constitution concerning presidential disability.” (Oversize) 3.3.6 Celler at Brooklyn College receiving Hon Doctor of Laws degree, 1973, inscribed by John W. Kneller 3.3.7 Celler and others lined up on steps of Capitol, no date, signed by each group member 3.3.8 A delegation from the National Federation of Women’s Clubs formally congratulate Rep. Emanuel Celler for his fight to repeal the law prohibiting husband and wife from working for the government. Jan 21, 1936 (oversize) 3.3.9 L-R, Congressman Francis Walter (Penn), Congressman (NY), Congressman Emanuel Celler (NY) (no date) signed by Walter “To my old friend and colleague Manny Celler” F. Walter and “With warm regards to our old and valued friend who caused me much joy & plenty of pain.” Kenneth Keating. (oversize) 3.3.10 Chief Justice Earl Warren (oversize) 3.3.11 Three framed snapshots of Mrs. Celler and children Jane and Judy 3.3.12 Framed and inscribed photograph of Albert Tarchian(sp?) 3.3.13 Framed photograph of Bundespresident Heuss and Jacob Altmeier 3.3.14 Framed photograph showing E. Celler with a group of young people, Inscribed, “To Manny—With respect and admiration, Steve McCormick.” 3.3.15 Framed photograph inscribed “To my very dear friend, Mannie, Cordially Eliahu.”Jan 1948. Eliahu Elath was the first Israeli ambassador to the U.S. 3.3.16 Framed photograph of Emanuel Neuman, Abba Hillel Silver and Emanuel Celler. Inscribed, “With warm friendship, Emanuel Neuman,” and “Most cordially, Abba Hillel Silver.” 3.3.17 Framed photograph of President Woodrow Wilson 3.3.18 Framed photograph of Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore, inscribed “To Mannie, with kindest regards, John Cashmore.” 3.3.19 Framed photograph of Robert F. Wagner, U.S. Senator for New York 1927 to 1949, inscribed, ‘To my friend ‘Mannie” Celler from Robert F. Wagner.” 3.3.20 Framed photograph of Celler and Cardinal Cooke, inscribed, “To Congressman Celler. Blessings +Terence Cardinal Cooke.” (Cooke served as Archbishop of New York from 1968 until his death in 1983.) 3.3.21 Framed photograph of Alfred E. Smith. Smith was the 42nd State and unsuccessfully ran for President in 1928. 3.3.22 Framed portrait of Rabbi Stephen S. Wise

Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 6 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection

3.3.23 Framed photograph of and another man inscribed “To Mannie Celler—‘Mr Judiciary”, with the admiration and affection of his old friend (signature illegible.) and “for Mr Chairman, Emanuel Celler who has followed the great mandate ‘Sedek, sedek, teer (???) and enriched us with his …. Ramsey Clark 3.3.24 Framed letter and pen used by the President in signing H.R. 5884, June 7, 1934, an amendment to “An act to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States.” 3.3.25 Framed letter and pen used by the President in signing H.R. 8368, “An act to enforce the twenty-first amendment.” June 30, 1936 3.3.26 Framed letter and pen used by the President on March 4, 1939 in signing H.R. 4011, an Act to continue the functions of the Commodity Credit Corporation etc. 3.3.27 Framed photograph and pen. “President Truman signs a Bill July 2, 1946, setting annual immigration quotas of 100 each for Filipinos and East Indians.” Celler is among the men standing behind President Truman. (oversize) 3.4 H.R. 4233 An act to provide for the naturalization of persons serving in the armed forces of the United States after June 24, 1950. April 2, 1953, and pen. Includes photograph of President Dwight Eisenhower holding the pen, Celler standing to rear. (oversize) 3.4.1 Public Law 137 – 84th Congress Jul 7, 1955 and pen. Clayton Act Amendments. (oversize) 3.4.2 Public Law 85-315, Sept 9, 1957 and pen. (oversize) 3.4.3 H.R. 2226 and Public Law 87-36 May 19, 1961. An act to provide for the appointment of additional circuit and district judges, and for other purposes, and pen. 3.4.4 Public Law 87-664, Sept 19, 1962 and pen. Antitrust Civil Process Act. 3.4.5 Framed letter and pen, Nov 20 1963, used by the President in approving H.R. 7193, “to provide for the striking of medals in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the first union health center in the United States by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union..” Marked “This was the last act signed by President Kennedy.” 3.4.6 Public Law 89-129 Joint Resolution to provide for the development of Ellis Island as part of the National Monument, and for other purposes. Aug 17, 1965 and pen. 3.4.7 H.R. 2580 Jan 13, 1965 and pen. A bill to amend the immigration and nationality act, and Public Law 89-236, October 3, 1965 and pen. 3.4.8 Public law 90-158, Nov 28, 1967 and pen. To amend sections 337 and 338 of the Bankruptcy Act and add a new section 339 3.4.9 Public Law 90-198 Dec 14, 1967 and pen. Civil Rights Commission Extension 3.4.10 Public Law 90-338 Jun 15, 1968 and pen. National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. Subpoena power 33 F.R. 8583 3.4.11 Public Law 90-383 Jul 5, 1968 and pen. To amend section 127 of title 28, US Code, to define more precisely the territory included in the two judicial districts of Virginia. 3.4.12 Public Law 92-520, Oct 21, 1972, marks the designation of the Federal Courthouse at 225 Cadman Plaza as “The Emanuel Celler Federal Building.” 3.5 Certificate of Naturalization of Joseph Olofsky and wife Annie age 47, dated 15 Feb (year illegible, names and ages of children illegible.) 3.5.1 Framed certificate to record dedication of site of student hostel project, Order of Bnai Zion, in Jerusalem, 17 December 1951. 3.5.2 Framed article, “Newsmaker of the week,” June 22, 1957 3.5.3 Framed certificate of Order of Quetzal, Guatemala, 14 Feb 1963 Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 7 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection

3.5.4 Framed cartoon “Things to Wonder about” Chicago herald and Examiner, 1926 3.5.5 Framed article from New York Times, Mar 19, 1960, “Angry young man of 71.” (Box 3, removed from frame.) 3.5.6 Framed cartoon, Newark Evening News, June 27, 1960 “I’m off to clean up the Port Authority.” (Box 3, removed from frame.) 3.5.7 Framed article from Christian Science Monitor, “He does his homework,” March 1-3 1969. Emanuel Celler is interviewed by Lyn Shepard 3.5.8 Framed article from New York Times Feb 24, 1967 “Congressional Bulldog, Emanuel Celler.” 3.5.9 Framed 19th century map of and Brooklyn 3.5.10 Plaque presented to Congressman Emanuel Celler, Chairman, House Judiciary Committee, for leadership in liberalization of immigration law, March 3, 1968 3.5.11 Decorative plaque with silver cut-out Hebrew inscription and grille. “To Emanuel Celler who as Congressman and communal leader, nobly embodies the ideals of Judaism and America in the practice of every day. Men’s Club, Stephen Wise, Free Synagogue, October 11, 1965” 3.5.12 Plaque “Presented to Hon. Emanuel Celler…in recognition of his high ideals etc” from the Jewish Nazi Victims Org., May 5, 1968

Series 4. Bronze bust of Emanuel Celler by Nathan Rapoport, 1960 [located on top of file cabinets in Brooklyn Collection]

Box list Box 1 Box 5 1.1-1.10 3.3.17-3.3.22 3.3.24-3.3.26 Box 2 2.1-2.9, 2.12-2.18 Box 6 3.4.4 -3.4.6 Box 3 3.4.8-3.4.12 2.10-2.11 3.5.0, 3.5.2, 3.5.4 3.1 3.3.23-3.3.24 Box 7 1.5.8, 3.3.23, 3.5.1, 3.5.5, 3.5.7, 3.5.9 Box 4 3.3.1-3.3.4, Unboxed 3.3.6-3.3.7, 3.3.5, 3.3.8, 3.3.9, 3.3.10, 3.3.27 3.3.6-3.3.16 3.4.0, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.4.7 3.5.8, 3.5.10, 3.5.11, 3.5.12

Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection 8 of 8 Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection