Guide to Jesse A. Helms Papers JHCA.RG1 Record Group 1: Senatorial Papers, 1953-2004 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit April 04, 2019 Describing Archives: A Content Standard The Jesse Helms Center Archives 3910 US Hwy 74 East Wingate, North Carolina, 28174 704-233-1776 [email protected] Guide to Jesse A. Helms Papers JHCA.RG1 Table of Contents Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3 Biographical/Historical note.......................................................................................................................... 4 Scope and Contents note............................................................................................................................... 5 Arrangement note...........................................................................................................................................6 Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................6 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6 Collection Inventory.................................................................................................................................... 10 Record Group 1: Senatorial Papers.......................................................................................................10 - Page 2 - Guide to Jesse A. Helms Papers JHCA.RG1 Summary Information Repository The Jesse Helms Center Archives Title The Jesse A. Helms Papers: Record Group 1 - Senatorial Papers Date [bulk] Bulk, 1973-2002 Date [inclusive] 1953-2004 Extent 1482.0 Linear feet Language English Abstract The Jesse A. Helms collection consists of the political papers of United States Senator Jesse A. Helms. The collection includes personal and political correspondence, speeches, legislative files, press files, audio and video tapes, photographs and other materials. Preferred Citation note The Jesse A. Helms Papers, The Jesse Helms Center Archives, Wingate, NC. - Page 3 - Guide to Jesse A. Helms Papers JHCA.RG1 Biographical/Historical note Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was born on October 18, 1921 in Monroe, NC to Jesse Alexander, Sr. and Ethel Mae. A seventh generation Helms’ family member to grow up in Monroe, Jesse, Jr. was part of a close knit but poor family that included an older brother, Wriston, and younger sister, Mary Elizabeth. At the age of 9, young Jesse’s first job was sweeping the floors of the Monroe Enquirer, the local newspaper. This early introduction to the newspaper world proved to be a watershed moment in Helms early life and in 1939, at the age of 18, Helms began writing sport articles for the Monroe Enquirer, the Journal and The Charlotte News. Helms attended Wingate University for one year before transferring to Wake Forest College in hopes of advancing his education in journalism. Once enrolled at Wake Forest, Helms took a job on campus writing sports publicity and washing dishes at the boarding house where he stayed. A chance meeting with the managing editor of the Raleigh News & Observer quickly led to an overnight proofreader job with the paper. Holding four jobs and attending college was no easy endeavor, but Helms remained undaunted. Through a series of events and great perseverance Helms went from overnight proofreader to full time sports writer with the News & Observer and eventually withdrew from his university studies to pursue a full time newspaper career. In his 2005 memoir Helms explained, “My own purpose back then wasn’t to get a diploma, it was to get the foundation needed for the jobs I wanted to have.” While with the News & Observer, Helms met a woman who changed his life. Dorothy Coble, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was the editor for the News & Observer’s society pages. Helms said, “The best path to my desk in the sports department was past Dot, and I made it my business to travel that path often.” The pair formed a lasting friendship that lasted from their marriage on October 31, 1942 until Helms death in 2008. In the fall of 1941, Helms moved to the Raleigh Times as a regular news reporter and assistant city director. Not long after, with the attacks at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Helms volunteered to serve in the United States Navy. For four years, Helms was a Navy recruiter, although he applied several times for active sea duty and once as an officer trainer (he was rejected because of hearing loss in his left year). Most of his service was spent in Raleigh, with the exception of some time spent in Columbus, Georgia. Upon returning to Raleigh, shortly after the birth of his first daughter, Jane, Helms accepted a position as News Director of WCBT in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. The move to radio was another watershed moment in Helms life, and through this work he met the owner of WRAL, A.J. Fletcher. In 1948, Helms returned to Raleigh to work for Fletcher as the News Director for WRAL and two other statewide radio networks operated by the Capitol Broadcasting Company. Throughout his life, Helms referred to Fletcher as a father figure and credited him as one of the people who challenged him to flesh out his political beliefs. The 1950 Senate race was Helms first brush with national politics. Fletcher’s former law partner Willis Smith ran for the Democratic seat against one term Senator, and former UNC Chapel Hill President, Franklin Porter Graham. Helms, although not officially a part of the Smith campaign, gave Smith his support and encouraged him throughout the race. When Smith won the election he asked Helms to accompany him to Washington, D.C. as his administrative assistant. Following Smith’s death, in 1953, - Page 4 - Guide to Jesse A. Helms Papers JHCA.RG1 Helms returned to Raleigh as the Executive Director for the North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA). During that time Helms was also elected to the Raleigh City Council. Helms never completely stepped away from broadcasting. During his time with the NCBA, Helms hosted a short Sunday program called “Facts of the Matter.” In November 1960, Helms left the NCBA and took a job as Executive Vice President for News Operations at WRAL-TV and Capitol Broadcasting. Between 1960 and 1972 Helms delivered over 2700 “Viewpoints,” a daily editorial program, becoming a household name and putting WRAL-TV in the national spotlight. By the early 1970s, Helms was encouraged to make a move to run for the United States Senate. Thought reluctant at first, Helms agreed and after a long campaign against Congressman Nick Galifianakis, Helms won the election. Helms remembered hearing Walter Cronkite say, “Down in North Carolina, a fellow named Jesse Helms has been elected to the United States Senate.” Helms was sworn into office in January 1973 and quickly rose to an influential position, often credited as a leader in the rise of the modern conservative movement. By 1978, the Raleigh News & Observer dubbed him “Senator No” for his strong conviction to conservative principles, something he actually considered a compliment throughout his career. Helms was a master of the Senate rules and procedures, routinely reading everything he could on issues brought up for a vote and felt it was his duty and obligation to fully understand the facts before he affected his constituents with legislation. The Senator was instrumental in establishing the Senate Steering Committee, a committee designed to help formally organize positions and responses. The issues on which Helms focused on during his career varied, but were always deeply rooted to his conservative principles and to what he felt was his moral responsibility. Helms also took a great interest in foreign affairs, rising to the role of Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1995. Later, after working closely with Senator Joe Biden to reform the United Nations, Helms became the first legislator to speak before the United Nations Security Council. In 2001, Helms announced he would not run for a sixth term and, in 2003, retired to Raleigh with his wife, three children and seven grandchildren. Helms lived happily in retirement with his family until his death on July 4, 2008. Scope and Contents note The Jesse A. Helms Collection is composed of 2 record groups – Senatorial Papers and Political Papers and Campaign Files. Senatorial Papers (1953 – 2004) contains material on Helms’ political career as well as files of Senate staff members. Included in the subgroup are Helms’ personal correspondence, work on Senate committees, issue files, speeches, voting records, photographs, audio and video material. Major topics of interest include the Panama Canal, communism, abortion, school busing, national defense, the budget and the National Endowment for the Arts. - Page 5 - Guide to Jesse A. Helms Papers JHCA.RG1 Political Papers and Campaign Files (1940 – 2004) contains files from Helms’ tenure as an administrative assistant to U.S. Senators Willis Smith and Alton Lennon, Raleigh City Council files, election series files and press files. Arrangement note The collection is arranged into two record groups: Record Group 1: Senatorial Papers, 1973-2002 Record Group 2: Political Papers and Campaign Files, 1940-2004 Administrative Information Publication Information The Jesse Helms Center Archives Conditions Governing