Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 Finding Aid Prepared by Sarah Quick, Reference Archivist
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Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 Finding aid prepared by Sarah Quick, Reference Archivist This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit January 23, 2019 Brooklyn Public Library - Brooklyn Collection , 2018 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY, 11238 718.230.2762 bcref@bklynlibrary.org Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 Table of Contents Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3 Biographical Note.......................................................................................................................................... 4 Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4 Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................5 Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................5 Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6 Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 8 Series I: Writing and Speeches............................................................................................................... 8 Series II: Correspondence........................................................................................................................9 Series III: Degrees and Certificates........................................................................................................ 9 Series IV: Clippings.............................................................................................................................. 10 Series V: White House Invitations........................................................................................................10 Series VI: Death and Memorial Services..............................................................................................11 Series VII: Photographs.........................................................................................................................11 Series VIII: Art and Textiles.................................................................................................................15 Series IX: Legislative Material............................................................................................................. 15 - Page 2 - Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 Summary Information Repository Brooklyn Public Library - Brooklyn Collection Creator Celler, Emanuel, 1888-1981 Title Emanuel Celler Collection Date 1912-1981, bulk 1950-1980 Extent 27.6 Linear feet , 1 carton, 19 oversize boxes Location Brooklyn Collection Morgue, shelf 10.4-10.6 Language English Preferred Citation This collection should be cited as the Emanuel Celler Collection, Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection. Abstract Materials created and collected by Congressman Emanuel Celler, who served Brooklyn’s 10th, 11th and 15th districts for nearly 50 years. Items include speeches, correspondence, photographs and legislative materials. - Page 3 - Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 Biographical Note Emanuel “Manny” Celler was born on May 6, 1888 on Sumner Avenue, where his family owned a whiskey business called Echo Spring. The business eventually failed and Celler’s father took a job as a door-to-door wine salesman. Celler graduated from Boys’ High School in 1906 and enrolled at Columbia University where he studied Law. While at Columbia, Celler went to class in the morning and sold wine in the afternoon and evening, a job he inherited after his father’s sudden death. He graduated from Columbia and passed the New York bar exam in 1912. Celler quickly found work as an attorney and eventually opened his own practice, which remained open even after he was elected to Congress. In 1922 Celler was asked to run as the Democratic Party’s nominee for Congress in the 10th District. Celler campaigned hard and won the election by just over 3,111 votes, becoming the first democrat to represent the district. After taking office he devoted himself to a number of issues including the repeal of prohibition and immigration reform. His first speech on the floor of the House was in opposition to the Johnson Immigration Act of 1924, which limited the number of immigrants admitted to the United States to two percent of the total number of individuals from each nationality living in the United States according to the 1890 census. The Act passed despite his efforts. During the 1940s he worked to allow larger numbers of Europeans fleeing World War II to enter the United States, calling Roosevelt’s current policy “cold and cruel.” His work on exclusionary immigration laws culminated in the Hart-Celler Act of 1965, which eliminated national origin as a basis for exclusion. Cellar was a vocal opponent of the House Un-American Activities Committee and Joseph McCarthy, who he rallied against in a strongly worded speech delivered at the 1952 Democratic National Convention. He was also on the forefront of civil rights legislation, helping to write and pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A strong supporter of Israel, he was honored by several Jewish organizations including with an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University. Celler also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Brooklyn College. Celler served in Congress for almost fifty years and as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1949 to 1973. In the 1972 primary Celler lost in an upset to newcomer Elizabeth Holzman. After leaving office Celler returned to his law practice and to his home at 9 Prospect Park West. He died at the age of 92 on January 15, 1981. Scope and Contents This collection consists of items created and collected by Congressman Emanuel Celler (1888-1981). Celler’s research and writing on topics such as antitrust, immigration and copyright are included, as well as speeches delivered at events and honors. Celler also kept a small, handwritten appointment diary and book of collected jokes. Correspondence is both personal and professional, the bulk of which are from - Page 4 - Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 his last year in office and post-congressional life. His invitations to presidential inaugurations and White House events are also included. Certificates include a copy of Celler’s marriage license and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Brooklyn College. Academic hoods worn by Celler at the commencement exercises of Brooklyn College and possibly Yeshiva University are included. Clippings cover a range of topics concerning Celler’s congressional activities. Clippings concerning Celler’s death are housed in the Death and Memorial Services series. Photographs include both portrait and candid images of Celler and other political figures. A series of framed Acts and Resolutions with the signing pens are also included. Arrangement This collection is arranged in nine series by type: Series I: Writing and Speeches arranged alphabetically by topic or occasion. Series II: Correspondence arranged by date. Items kept by Celler in a binder have been left in original order. Series III: Degrees and Certificates arranged by type. Series IV: Clippings arranged chronologically whenever possible. Series V: White House Invitations arranged chronologically. Early non-inaugural items are foldered together. Series VI: Death and Memorial Services arranged together in one folder. Series VII: Photographs arranged by subject. Series VIII: Art and Textiles arranged by type. Series IX: Legislative Material arranged chronologically. Administrative Information Publication Information Brooklyn Public Library - Brooklyn Collection , 2018 Access - Page 5 - Guide to the Emanuel Celler Collection, BCMS.0017 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 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 researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions. Provenance This collection was donated by Emanuel Celler's daughter, Jane Wertheimer. Related Materials Articles about Emanuel Celler appearing in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (1910-1955). Brooklyn Biographical File: Emanuel Celler. Celler, Emanuel. You Never Leave Brooklyn. J. Day Co. 1953. Transcript of Oral history interview with Emanuel Celler, member of Congress from New York, 1923-73. c1981. Controlled Access Headings Subject(s) • Antitrust law • Civil rights • Equal rights amendments • Legislators--New York (State) • Presidents--United States--Inauguration • United States--Emigration and immigration--History--20th century