By Christina Fitzpatrick, Processing Archivist

We are pleased to announce the latest release of materials in the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files. This collection contains records that are principally connected with Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy’s career in government service, specifically material that was generated by his activities as Senator from Massachusetts (1962-2009).

This release comprises 641 new boxes or 306.431 cubic feet. Currently a total of 2,930 textual boxes in the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files are available for research use. Additional material from the 1970s is now included, with some series stretching into the 1980s.

Of note in this release are the first series of campaign and political files. Records from Kennedy’s first campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in 1962 can be found in Series 053. Also included are papers created by Paul G. Kirk, Jr., (later a Senator himself), who served as a special assistant and political adviser to Kennedy.

Another series we would like to highlight is the staff files of foreign policy adviser Jan Kalicki, who was heavily involved with matters concerning Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Soviet Union. Kalicki accompanied Senator Kennedy on a major trip to China and Japan from December 1977 to January 1978. He also handled casework for individuals who contacted Kennedy for assistance with complicated issues involving immigration, family reunification, and political imprisonment.

Additional series from the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files will be released as they are processed. Existing series will also be expanded as more materials are located and added.

Newly Released Series

Series 053. 1962 Senate Campaign Files, 1950-1963 (bulk 1962-1963) (23 boxes)
Correspondence, speeches, schedules, lists, news clippings, polling reports, city and town data, campaign literature, promotional items; some material reused from John F. Kennedy’s 1958 and 1960 campaigns

Series 054. Political Correspondence Files (F-17), 1967-1969 (4 boxes)
Correspondence by state, news clippings, speeches, reports, press releases, campaign brochures, photographs; invitations to political events and rallies, requests for endorsements, and information on local developments in the Democratic Party

Series 055. Political Files of Paul Kirk, 1964-1977 (34 boxes)
State files of correspondence, news clippings, memos, photographs, and campaign literature, some on Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 Senate campaign; chronological files of Kirk’s letters, memos, and drafts; subject files on elections in the 1970s and staffing of the Carter administration

Series 056. Staff Files of Leigh Allen, 1973-1980 (14 boxes)
Legislative subject files on issues like the budget, children and youth, education, labor, social services, and veterans

Series 057. Staff Files of Mary Jeka, 1977-1979 (17 boxes)
Grant and federal funding casework for Massachusetts cities and towns

Series 058. Staff Files of Brian Delaney, 1976-1980 (1 box)
Correspondence and memos written by a staff member from the Boston office

Series 059. Staff Files of Jay Urwitz, 1972-1979 (5 boxes)
Subject files on topics like defense, energy and oil, waterways, and welfare reform

Series 060. Staff Files of Mary Ellen Cifrino McNamara, 1976-1979 (2 boxes)
Casework on grants and special projects in the arts

Series 061. Staff Files of Thomas Southwick, 1977-1978 (2 boxes)
Correspondence from Southwick’s term as press secretary

Series 062. Staff Files of Robert Shrum, 1981-1982 (2 boxes)
Memos and draft press releases from Shrum’s term as press secretary

Series 063. Staff Files of David Burke, 1965-1966 (1 box)
Memos on various legislative topics

Series 064. Staff Files of Jan Kalicki, 1951-1986 (bulk 1977-1984) (141 boxes)
Subject files on foreign affairs, nuclear arms control, the Middle East, human rights; briefing books for Senator Kennedy’s foreign travel (China and Japan); case files on immigration issues, family reunification, and political prisoners; chronological and day files of letters and memos written by Kalicki

Additions to Previously Released Series

Series 002. Alphabetical Outgoing Carbons, 1962-1976 (3 boxes added)

Series 014. Invitation and Appointment Files, 1962-1981 (80 boxes added)

Series 017. News Clipping Files, 1962-1978, 1981 (18 boxes added)

Series 022. Staff Files of Susan Riley and Jack Leslie, 1968-1979 (75 boxes added)

Series 023. Staff Files of Frances McElroy, 1970-1981 (16 boxes added)

Series 024. Staff Files of Mark Schneider, 1960-1978 (26 boxes added)

Series 025. Staff Files of Robert Bates, 1963-1977 (4 boxes added)

Series 026. Staff Files of Mary Murtagh, 1961-1979 (12 boxes added)

Series 028. Press Releases and Statements, 1963-1980 (47 boxes added)

Series 030. Administrative Records, 1962-1978 (1 box added)

Series 031. Staff Files of Anne Strauss, 1967-1977 (39 boxes added)

Series 032. Issue Files, 1966-1977 (7 boxes added)

Series 034. Staff Files of Edward Martin, 1970-1977 (6 boxes added)

Series 035. Articles and Periodicals, 1959-1978 (6 boxes added)

Series 036. Staff Files of Carey Parker, 1961-1979 (9 boxes)

Series 037. Staff Files of Stephen Collins, 1963-1977 (2 boxes added)

Series 041. Voting Record Files, 1964-1978 (2 boxes added)

Series 042. Form Letters (Robos), 1962-1982 (13 boxes added)

Series 043. Congressional Record Files, 1967-1977 (1 box added)

Series 044. Briefing Books, 1969-1978 (16 boxes added)

Series 046. Staff Files of Robert Hunter, 1967-1977 (4 boxes added)

Series 048. Trip and Scheduling Files, 1969-1982 (8 boxes added)

A Note on Copyright

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) states that copyright protection does not apply to any work of the U.S. Government, which is defined as work prepared by an officer or employee of the U. S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. Therefore, documents in the collection that were created by Senator Kennedy and his staff as part of their official duties are in the public domain. (For compiled lists of staff names, see our previous blog post.)

Official duties of a Senator and their staff include activities like drafting and introducing legislation, speaking about their legislative agenda and policy positions, answering mail, communicating with the press, helping constituents solve problems with government agencies and apply for federal funding, voting on bills and nominations, and serving on committees. However, official duties do not include campaigning, political work on behalf of the party or other candidates, personal correspondence with family and friends, and involvement in private business and legal matters.

According to the deed of gift signed May 2011, copyright of materials created outside of official duties has been retained by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (EMKI). This includes the campaign and political work in the newly released series. Please contact EMKI directly at info@emkinstitute.org with any copyright questions.

Stay tuned for another blog post with further information on copyright in the collection.

How to Request Access Reviews

To expedite processing of the collection, many series are “review on demand” due to the presence of personally identifiable information (PII) or national security information. Researchers can submit requests for specific folders to be reviewed and opened by an archivist. Folders that are subject to review are marked with [closed pending review] after the title. Please fill out the Deed Review Request Form on our website if you would like access to a folder that is marked closed pending review. Up to 25 folders can be requested at one time. We ask that you allow at least two weeks in advance of your visit or deadline for reviews to be completed.

If you have any questions about the latest release or the collection in general, please email us at kennedy.library@nara.gov and we will be happy to assist you.