Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Burton, Phillip
- Abstract:
- The Phillip Burton Papers document the career of an American politician who served in the United States Congress. He served 10 terms, from 1964-1983, in the United States House of Representatives as Congressman for California's San Francisco district.
- Extent:
- Number of containers: 34 cartons, 1 oversize volume, 2 oversize folders Linear feet: 43 linear feet
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Phillip Burton Papers consist primarily of files Burton compiled during his career as a politician. The bulk of the collection is comprised of materials documenting Burton's work in the United States House of Representatives as Congressman for the California district encompassing San Francisco, especially pertaining to his service on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, as well as his tenure in the California State Assembly; also prominent in the collection are Burton's office and press files, and campaign and political files. The collection encompasses a range of materials-including correspondence, legislative addresses and hearings, campaign literature, press releases, and ephemera-most notably documenting such legislation and issues as: National Parks, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; United States Territories; Social Welfare and Civil Rights; the House Un-American Activities Committee; and California Reapportionment.
The Phillip Burton Papers are subdivided into seven series:
- Series I: Personal Files
- Series II: Campaign and Political Files
- Series III: California State Assembly Files
- Series IV: Office Files
- Series V: Press Files
- Series VI: Constituent Service Files
- Series VII: Legislative Files
- Biographical / historical:
-
Phillip Burton (1926-1983) was an American politician who served in the United States Congress. He served 10 terms in the United States House of Representatives as Congressman for California's San Francisco district; prior to that he served four terms in the California State Assembly.
Born on June 1, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Burton moved to California during high school, graduating from San Francisco's George Washington High School in 1944. Between tours of duty in the military during World War II and the Korean War, Burton attended the University of Southern California, graduating with an undergraduate degree in Political Science in 1947, and then returned to San Francisco to earn his legal degree from Golden Gate Law School in 1952. Burton married his wife, Sala Galante, in 1953 and embarked on a legal career after his return from the Korean War; he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1956.
Burton's political career began with his election to the California State Assembly in 1957, where he served 4 terms; in 1959, he represented the United States at the Atlantic Treaty Association Conference in France. In February 1964, Burton won a special election to the House of Representatives to replace John Shelley, who had been elected mayor of San Francisco and resigned his seat.
During his time in Congress, Burton served on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Committee on Education and Labor, and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Known as a forceful advocate of liberal politics, Burton opposed the Vietnam War from the onset, voting against all appropriations for the conflict; helped abolish the House Committee on Un-American Activities; and promoted labor, civil rights and social welfare, including helping to author bills such as the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and the Supplemental Social Security for the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as legislation that expanded the minimum wage and provided funding for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Moreover, Burton was greatly known for promoting environmental causes, and during his time on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs was instrumental in bolstering the National Park System and the establishment of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in his home district. In 1976, Burton missed becoming the youngest House Majority Leader in the history of the House of Representatives by a single vote. Burton was also a delegate for the California State Democratic convention from1968-1982 and a delegate for the Democratic National Convention in 1968 and 1970.
Burton died of an aneurysm in San Francisco on April 10, 1983. In a special election held only two months later, his wife, Sala Galante Burton, was elected to fill his vacant Congressional seat.
- Acquisition information:
- The Phillip Burton Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Joy Temes in 1987.
- Physical location:
- Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481