Congressional Archives Collection
A listing of Congressional Archives Collections in the library is provided below. Researchers may also be interested in searching the Boston College Libraries Holmes Catalog for additional information. Summaries of the collection are below, to learn more about Congressional collections, contact the Burns Library reference staff.
Title: Edward P. Boland Papers, 1952-1988.
Description: 205 linear ft. (206 boxes).
Notes: Access restricted until completion of processing.
Finding aids: Partial inventory available.
Summary: Composed of correspondence, publications, photographs, audio tapes, videocassettes, newspaper clippings and related materials. The papers document Boland's career in Congress and touch upon various events and issues. Much of the material concerns the 2nd congressional district, especially the cities of Springfield and Chicopee.
Biog/Hist Note: Massachusetts Congressman. Boland was born in Springfield, Mass. He attended Boston College Law School and from 1935 to 1941 served in the Massachusetts State Legislature. From 1952 to 1988 he was a member of the United States House of Representatives. Boland served on a number of Committees while in Congress and authored the "Boland Ammendments," which limited American government aid to the Nicaraguan Contra Rebels.
Title: Robert F. Drinan Papers, 1949-1997, (bulk 1970-1980).
Description: 478.5 linear ft.
Arrangement: Organized into three groups: I. Pre-Congressional Years, 1949-1970. II. Congressional Years, 1970-1980. III. Post- Congressional Years, 1981-Present.
Finding aids: Finding aid available.
Summary: Composed of correspondence, publications, photographs, audio tapes, videocassettes, artifacts, and other items. Most of the material relates to Drinan's career in Congress, and documents his views on such issues as Watergate, Human Rights, Criminal Law, Soviet Jews, and the Nixon Impeachment hearings. There are also files of House committees, and some records documenting Drinan's tenure at Boston College and Georgetown University.
Biog/Hist Note: Jesuit priest, professor, and former Congressman. Drinan was born in Boston in 1920. He attended Boston College and Georgetown University, and was ordained in 1953. From 1956 to 1970 he was Dean of the Boston College Law School, and from 1971 to 1980 he served in the United States House of Representatives. While in Congress Drinan advocated human rights, was involved in the Nixon impeachment hearings, helped revise the U.S. Criminal Code, and spearheaded abolishment of the House Internal Security Committee. Since 1981 he has taught at Georgetown University Law Center.
Title: Margaret Heckler Papers, [1966?]-[1987?].
Description: ca. 237 linear ft. (230 boxes).
Notes: Most of the collection currently restricted.
Summary: Composed of correspondence, publications, photographs, audio tapes, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, artifacts and other items. The papers document Heckler's career in Congress, as well as her tenure as Secretary of the Dept. of Health and Human Services. The Congressional papers include materials relating to the Republican Party and Heckler's Congressional Committee files.
Biog/Hist Note: Massachusetts Congresswoman, Cabinet Officer and Diplomat. Heckler was born in 1931 and attended Albertus Magnus College and Boston College Law School. From 1966 to 1982 she served in the United States House of Representatives. In 1983 she was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services and from 1987 to 1988 she was Ambassador to Ireland.
Title: Thomas P. O'Neill Papers, 1936-1994 (bulk 1953-1986).
Description: 428.25 linear ft.
Arrangement: Organized into seven series: Personal/Office Files; Staff Files; Legislative Files; Grants/Projects/Subject Files; Party Leadership/Administrative Files; Press Relations; and Audiovisual Materials.
Finding aids: Finding aid available.
Notes: A selection of images from the Photographs Subseries are available online
Summary: Composed of correspondence, publications, photographs, audio tapes, videocassettes, artifacts, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks. Most of the material relates to O'Neill's career in Congress, and documents his views on such issues as the Vietnam War, Watergate, and relations with Ireland. Also includes papers of O'Neill's staff, files of Democratic Committees, and some letters of late twentieth century presidents.
Biog/Hist Note: Congressman from Massachusetts. O'Neill was born in North Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1912, and attended Boston College. From 1936 to 1952 he served in the State Legislature, and from 1953 to 1986 he was a member of the United States House of Representatives. O'Neill served as Speaker of the House from 1977 to 1986. A loyal Democrat and proud Irish-American, he actively supported human rights issues. He died in 1994.