Finding Aid to the Phillip Burton Papers, 1945-1986, bulk 1956-1983
Finding Aid written by David Uhlich
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Phillip Burton Papers, 1945-1986, bulk 1956-1983
Collection Number: BANC MSS 87/233 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
- Finding Aid Written By:
- David Uhlich
- Date Completed:
-
April 2012
© 2012 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Phillip Burton papers
Date (inclusive): 1945-1986,
Date (bulk): bulk 1956-1983
Collection Number: BANC MSS 87/233 c
Creators :
Burton, Phillip
Extent:
Number of containers: 34 cartons, 1 oversize volume, 2 oversize folders
Linear feet: 43 linear feet
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
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.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
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.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for
any use rests exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Use Restrictions
Even though all reasonable and customary best-practices have been pursued, this collection may contain materials with sensitive
or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are
advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection
without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications for which the University of California, Berkeley assumes
no responsibility.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Phillip Burton Papers, BANC MSS 87/233 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Related Collections
Sala Burton papers, 1983-1987, BANC MSS 87/234 c
Separated Material
Photographs and slides transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library (BANC PIC 1987.062--PIC). Motion pictures
transferred to the Microforms Division of The Bancroft Library (classified as: Motion Picture 457). Audiotapes transferred
to the Microforms Division of The Bancroft Library (classified as: Phonotape 1976).
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Burton, Phillip--Archives
Burton, Sala Galant, 1925-1987
Burton, John L., 1932-
California. Legislature. Assembly
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Education and Labor
United States. National Park Service
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities
Legislators--United States
Apportionment (Election law)--West (U.S.)
Election districts--West (U.S.)
National parks and reserves--Law and legislation--United States
National parks and reserves--California
Supplemental security income program--Law and legislation--United States
San Francisco (Calif.)--Politics and government
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Calif.)
United States--Insular possessions
United States--Territories and possessions
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Phillip Burton Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Joy Temes in 1987.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Processed by David Uhlich in 2012.
Biographical Information
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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
Series 1
Personal Files
1945-1985
Physical Description:
Carton 1; Carton 2, folders 1-12; Oversize Volume 1; Oversize Folder 2
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of materials related to Burton's memorial services, as well as other memorabilia.
Carton 1, Folder 2
University of Southern Californian Bachelor of Arts Graduation Diploma,
1947
Carton 2, Folder 1-2
Letters of Support for Sala Burton,
1983
Carton 2, Folder 3-10
Memorial Tributes,
1983-1985
Oversize Volume 1
Newspaper Clippings,
1983
Oversize B, Folder 2
Charles Surendorf Prints,
circa 1950
Series 2
Campaign and Political Files
1951-1982
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 13-25; Cartons 3-6; Carton 7, folders 1-9; Oversize Folder 1
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of materials related to Burton's campaigns for the California Assembly and the United States House of
Representatives, as well as his non-congressional political activities.
Carton 3, Folder 1-4
Assembly (continued),
1954-1962
Carton 4, Folder 1-24
Congress (continued),
1964-1982
Carton 5, Folder 1-10
Congress (continued),
1964-1982
Oversize B, Folder 1
Campaign Poster and Bumper Sticker,
circa 1956
Carton 5, Folder 24
Recall Petition Over Vietnam,
1965
Carton 6, Folder 1-5
State Senate Campaign,
1967
Carton 6, Folder 6-13
Congressional Campaign,
1974
Carton 6, Folder 20-27
City Elections,
1961-1980
Carton 6, Folder 28-29
Democratic National Convention,
1968
Carton 7, Folder 1-6
Young Democratic Clubs of America,
1951-1959
Carton 7, Folder 7
San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee,
1954
Carton 7, Folder 8
Democratic League of San Francisco,
1954-1955
Series 3
California State Assembly Files
1952-1964
Physical Description:
Carton 7, folders 10-27; Cartons 8-9; Carton 10, folders 1-14
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of materials related to Burton's tenure in the California State Assembly.
Carton 7, Folder 10-11
Correspondence,
1956-1964
Carton 7, Folder 12-19
Sponsored Bills,
1957-1963
Carton 7, Folder 20
Correspondence,
1957-1964
Carton 7, Folder 21
Awards and Certificates,
1957-1962
Carton 7, Folder 24
Press Releases,
1959-1963
Carton 7, Folder 25
Sponsored Bills,
1958-1963
Carton 7, Folder 27
Newspaper Clippings,
1959-1964
Carton 8, Folder 1
Legislative Handbook,
1957
Carton 8, Folder 2-5
Correspondence,
1957-1963
Carton 8, Folder 7-8
Press Releases,
1957-1963
Carton 8, Folder 14
San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee,
1958-1960
Carton 8, Folder 15-16
Young Democratic Clubs of America,
1957-1959
Carton 8, Folder 17-18
Democratic Platform,
1954-1960
Carton 8, Folder 22
Newspaper Clippings,
1957-1960
Carton 8, Folder 23
Voting Records,
1954-1961
Carton 9, Folder 14-22
Social Welfare,
1957-1964
Carton 10, Folder 1-2
Social Welfare (continued),
1957-1964
Carton 10, Folder 3
Legislative Handbook,
1963
Carton 10, Folder 4-5
Member Directories,
circa 1960
Carton 10, Folder 6
Press Releases,
1962-1963
Carton 10, Folder 9-14
Social Welfare,
1958-1963
Series 4
Office Files
1946-1982
Physical Description:
Carton 10, folders 15-31; Carton 11, folders 1-10
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of office files, including photographs, memorabilia, and form correspondence, kept by Burton and his
staff during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Carton 10, Folder 15-19
Correspondence,
1946-1982
Carton 10, Folder 15
Very Important Persons,
1977-1982
Carton 10, Folder 16-17
Letters of Recommendation,
1946-1954
Carton 10, Folder 18
Political Thanks,
1955-1982
Carton 10, Folder 21
University Transcripts and Diploma,
1952
Carton 10, Folder 22
State Bar Certificate,
1952
Carton 10, Folder 23
Liberal Credentials,
1962-1982
Carton 10, Folder 25
Stationary,
circa 1960-1980
Carton 11, Folder 1-10
Correspondence,
1968-1982
Series 5
Press Files
1952-1983
Physical Description:
Carton 11, folders 11-24; Carton 12, folders 1-7; Oversize Folder 1
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of press files, including newsletters, press releases, and speeches, kept by Burton and his staff during
his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Carton 11, Folder 13-15
Congratulations and Awards,
1967-1982
Carton 11, Folder 16-23
Newspaper Clippings,
1955-1983
Carton 12, Folder 6
Political Cartoons,
1974-1983
Carton 12, Folder 7
Certificates and Awards,
1952-1983
Oversize B, Folder 1
Political Cartoons,
1975-1983
Series 6
Constituent Services
1982
Physical Description:
Carton 12, folder 8
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of files documenting constituent services kept by Burton and his staff during his tenure in the United
States House of Representatives.
Series 7
Legislative Files
1954-1986
Physical Description:
Carton 12, folders 9-23; Cartons 13-34
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of materials related to Burton's service in the United States House of Representatives.
Subseries 7.1
Congressional Profile
1959-1983
Physical Description:
Carton 12, folders 9-23; Carton 13, folders 1-22; Oversize Folder 1
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries consists of general congressional materials, including legislative portfolios, bills supported, and floor statements
that Burton made during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Carton 12, Folder 12-23
Voting Records,
1964-1983
Carton 13, Folder 1-3
Voting Records (continued),
1964-1983
Carton 13, Folder 4
Presidential Correspondence,
1959-1980
Carton 13, Folder 5-7
Sponsored Bills,
1964-1980
Carton 13, Folder 8-13
House Majority Race,
1976
Subseries 7.2
Committee and Board Work
1954-1984
Physical Description:
Carton 13, folders 23-30; Cartons 14-26; Carton 27, folders 1-26
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries consists of materials related to Burton's work on various committees during his tenure in the United States
House of Representatives.
Subsubseries 7.2.1
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs
1954-1984
Physical Description:
Carton 13, folders 23-30; Cartons 14-26; Carton 27, folders 1-21
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subsubseries consists of files kept by Burton and his staff during his service on the Committee on Interior and Insular
Affairs during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Subsubsubseries 7.2.1.1: United States Territories,
1954-1982
Physical Description:
Carton 13, folders 23-30; Cartons 14-16; Carton 17, folders 1-6
Scope and Content Note
This subsubsubseries consists of files pertaining to United States territories kept by Burton and his staff during his service
on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Carton 13, Folder 23-24
Correspondence,
1971-1972
Carton 13, Folder 27
Compact of Free Association,
1980
Carton 13, Folder 28
Grant Consolidation,
1980-1981
Carton 13, Folder 29
Democratic Convention Delegates,
1972
Carton 13, Folder 30
Alaska and Hawaii Statehood,
1954-1959
Carton 14, Folder 1-9
American Samoa,
1974-1981
Carton 14, Folder 17-18
Marshall Islands,
1972-1980
Carton 14, Folder 20-24
Northern Mariana Islands,
1972-1982
Carton 15, Folder 1-21
Northern Mariana Islands (continued),
1972-1982
Carton 16, Folder 1-2
Northern Mariana Islands (continued),
1972-1982
Carton 16, Folder 22-23
Trust Territories,
1974-1981
Carton 17, Folder 1-2
Trust Territories (continued),
1974-1981
Carton 17, Folder 3-6
Virgin Islands,
1969-1981
Subsubsubseries 7.2.1.2: National Parks,
1958-1984
Physical Description:
Carton 17, folders 7-27; Cartons 18-26; Carton 27, folders 1-21
Scope and Content Note
This subsubsubseries consists of files pertaining to the United States National Parks system kept by Burton and his staff
during his service on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order..
Carton 17, Folder 7
Legislative Summary,
1980
Carton 17, Folder 8-12
Point Reyes National Seashore,
1964-1980
Carton 17, Folder 13-17
Golden Gate National Recreation Area,
1972-1980
Carton 17, Folder 21
Channel Islands,
1978-1980
Carton 17, Folder 23
Boundary Waters Canoe Area,
1978
Carton 18, Folder 1-4
Big Sur (continued),
1978-1982
Carton 18, Folder 5-23
Redwood National Park,
1965-1982
Carton 19, Folder 1-13
Golden Gate National Recreation Area,
1970-1976
Carton 19, Folder 14
California Parks,
1974-1978
Carton 19, Folder 15-17
San Francisco Maritime Museum,
1976-1979
Carton 19, Folder 23
Fort Cronkhite,
1974-1981
Carton 20, Folder 1-4
San Francisco Mint,
1967-1972
Carton 20, Folder 5-16
Golden Gate National Recreation Area,
1973-1980
Carton 20, Folder 17
Trust for Public Land Nature Conservancy,
1978-1980
Carton 20, Folder 18
Mount Tamalpais,
1975-1977
Carton 20, Folder 20
Audubon Canyon Ranch,
1978-1980
Carton 20, Folder 24
Cliff House and Sutro Baths,
1977-1980
Carton 20, Folder 25-26
Farallon Islands,
1969-1980
Carton 20, Folder 27-28
Ocean Beach and Playland,
1975-1978
Carton 21, Folder 1
William Whalen,
1975-1977
Carton 22, Folder 1-4
Lake Tahoe (continued),
1978-1982
Carton 22, Folder 5-18
Boundary Waters Canoe Area,
1977-1979
Carton 23, Folder 1-3
Mineral King (continued),
1967-1979
Carton 23, Folder 4-22
California Wilderness Act,
1974-1983
Carton 23, Folder 24-26
Stanislaus River,
1979-1980
Carton 24, Folder 1-3
Tuolumne River,
1983-1984
Carton 24, Folder 4-8
Santa Monica Mountains,
1978-1982
Carton 24, Folder 9-18
Wild and Scenic Rivers,
1977-1980
Carton 24, Folder 19-22
California Wilderness Act,
1983-1984
Carton 25, Folder 1-3
California Wilderness Act (continued),
1983-1984
Carton 25, Folder 4-6
Park Service Additions of Social Significance,
1977-1980
Carton 25, Folder 8-9
Channel Islands,
1979-1980
Carton 25, Folder 10
Chattahoochee River,
1977-1978
Carton 25, Folder 11
Cuyahoga Valley,
1973-1974
Carton 25, Folder 13
Pennsylvania Avenue,
1979
Carton 25, Folder 15
Frederick Law Olmsted Historic Site,
1979
Carton 25, Folder 16
Transportation,
1977-1979
Carton 25, Folder 19
Land and Water Conservation Fund,
1969-1977
Carton 25, Folder 21
Pine Barrens Ecological Reserves,
1977-1978
Carton 25, Folder 22-28
Omnibus Parks Bill,
1978-1980
Carton 26, Folder 1-13
Omnibus Parks Bill (continued),
1978-1980
Carton 26, Folder 14
Wild and Scenic Rivers,
1979-1980
Carton 26, Folder 15
National Trails System,
1979-1980
Carton 26, Folder 16
National Hostels System,
1979-1980
Carton 26, Folder 17
Black History Sites,
1975-1980
Carton 26, Folder 18
Holocaust Memorial Council,
1980
Carton 26, Folder 19
Capital Boundary Stones,
1979-1980
Carton 26, Folder 23
Manassas National Battlefield Park,
1977-1980
Carton 26, Folder 25
Alaska Public Lands,
1980
Carton 26, Folder 26
Lowell National Cultural Park,
1977-1980
Carton 26, Folder 27
San Francisco Maritime Museum,
1980
Carton 26, Folder 28
Acid Rain: The Water That Kills Article,
1982
Carton 26, Folder 29-30
Golden Gate National Recreation Area,
1972-1984
Carton 27, Folder 1-12
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (continued),
1972-1984
Carton 27, Folder 14
Point Reyes National Seashore,
1979-1980
Carton 27, Folder 15
Farallon Islands,
1971-1980
Carton 27, Folder 16-18
Barrier Islands,
1979-1980
Carton 27, Folder 19
National Hostels System,
1976-1980
Carton 27, Folder 20
Legislative Summary,
1975-1978
Subsubseries 7.2.2
Committee on Education and Labor
1967-1984
Physical Description:
Carton 27, folders 22-26
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subsubseries consists of files kept by Burton and his staff during his service on the Committee on Education and Labor
during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives.
Subseries 7.3
Issue Files
1956-1986
Physical Description:
Carton 27, folders 27-29; Cartons 28-34; Oversize Folder 2
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries consists of documents kept by Burton and his staff during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives
that were filed by political issue.
Subsubseries 7.3.1
State and District Issue
1956-1982
Physical Description:
Carton 27, folders 27-29; Cartons 28-32; Oversize Folder 2
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subsubseries consists of state and district issue files kept by Burton and his staff during his tenure in the United
States House of Representatives.
Carton 27, Folder 27
District History,
1966-1972
Carton 27, Folder 28
Mission Neighborhood Health Center,
1979-1982
Carton 27, Folder 29
Postmaster Lim Lee,
1966-1982
Carton 28, Folder 1-24
Reapportionment,
1956-1982
Carton 29, Folder 1-23
Reapportionment (continued),
1956-1982
Carton 30, Folder 1-24
Reapportionment (continued),
1956-1982
Carton 31, Folder 1-24
Reapportionment (continued),
1956-1982
Carton 32, Folder 1-25
Reapportionment (continued),
1956-1982
Subsubseries 7.3.2
Federal
1964-1986
Physical Description:
Cartons 33-34
Arrangement
Folders are arranged in original order.
Scope and Content Note
This subsubseries consists of federal issue files kept by Burton and his staff during his tenure in the United States House
of Representatives.
Carton 33, Folder 1
Civil Rights Act,
1964-1968
Carton 33, Folder 3
Martin Luther King, Junior,
1968
Carton 33, Folder 7
Chicory Roots and Aid to Dependent Children,
1969
Carton 33, Folder 8
Jewish Community,
1972-1982
Carton 33, Folder 13-14
Soviet Union Jewish Community,
1975-1986
Carton 33, Folder 20-27
House Un-American Activities Committee,
1961-1970
Carton 33, Folder 28-30
Social Security,
1967-1977
Carton 34, Folder 1-8
Social Security (continued),
1967-1977
Carton 34, Folder 10-12
Gay and Lesbian Community,
1977-1982
Carton 34, Folder 13
Nuclear Arms Freeze,
1982
Carton 34, Folder 14
Bilingual Voter Challenge,
1982
Carton 34, Folder 15
North Atlantic Assembly,
1973-1982
Carton 34, Folder 16
Jerry Patterson,
1979-1980