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Oren Harris transferred the voluminous collection of his Congressional papers and supporting print material to the University Libraries' Special Collections Division over a considerable period of time. The bulk of material was transferred in 1966, when he resigned his seat to become a judge in the United States Western District of Arkansas. This first accession comprises approximately 165 linear feet.  Most of this portion of the Oren Harris Papers dates from after 1940.

Materials in the first accession pertain primarily to legislative matters, especially in the areas of transportation, communication, food and drugs, trial regulation, public health, and legislative oversight of governmental regulatory bodies; to Harris's political interests and activities in Arkansas and the nation; and to constituent services rendered by his office.

The arrangement of the materials essentially retains the file scheme used in Harris's office for current records. They were inventoried in 24 groups of one or more series each. The inventory of these record groups is given here.  At present, the complete finding aid to the first accession of the Harris Papers is not on line. Researchers in Special Collections may refer to an index of significant correspondents and to a folder label and subject index. For more information, inquire of the Special Collections staff.
 

Supplementary Papers, 1941-1969

In 1972 and 1973, Oren Harris donated more material, designated as Supplementary Papers, 1941-1969, documenting his work as chairman of  the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce and of the Special Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. A small portion of this increment pertains to other aspects of his legislative and judicial activities. This collection of Supplementary Papers amounts to 2.5 linear feet.

The materials in the Supplementary Papers are arranged in three series.

Series Inventory, Oren Harris Papers, First Accession

RESTRICTIONS APPLY.  For reasons of confidentiality, Groups 13-15, 19, and 20
are restricted wholly or in part. Researchers desiring to view materials in these series
must obtain the permission of the head of the Special Collections Division.

1. Speeches, 1945-1965. (175 items)

2. Bills introduced, 1955-1965. In 2 series (61 items)

3. Legislative history, 1940-1966. In 11 series (1,137 items)

4. Legislative history and committee hearings data, District of Columbia, 1940-1961. In 2 series (56 items)

5. Legislative history relating to flood control, 1940-1953. In 2 series (28 items)

6. Legislative history and committee hearings data, natural gas and petroleum, 1940-1961. (68 items)

7. Legislative history--government agencies, 1940-1946. (55 items)

8. Post Office --appointment of postmasters, establishment, discontinuance, and construction of buildings, 1941-1963. In 2 series (212 items)

9. County (general inquiry) file, 1940-1964. In 19 series. (109 items)

10. County (general inquiry) file--special projects, 1940-1964. (106 items)

11. Trip data--Antarctica, etc., 1956-1959. (9 items)

12. Legislative oversight committee data, 1952-1965. (24 items)

13. Appointment to academies, 1940-1960. In 2 series (105 items) RESTRICTED.

14. Private bill claims, 1935-1962. (72 items) RESTRICTED.

15. Assistance--Social Security, 1949-1964. (26 items) RESTRICTED.

16. Newsletters, 1963-1965. (3 items)

17. Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, 1951-1965. (19 items)

18. Military, 1945-1955. (4 items)

19. Military (servicemen, veterans), 1931-1957. In 6 series (909 items) Portions are RESTRICTED.

20. Employment, 1940-1963. In 9 series (226 items) RESTRICTED.

21. Invitations, 1940-1963. In 2 series (71 items)

22. Personal interest, 1945-1963. (15 items)

23. Personal, 1926-1962. (91 items)

24. Political, 1937-1964. (90 items)

Series Inventory, Oren Harris Papers, Second Accession

1. Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce records

2. Special Committee on Legislative Oversight records
    Subseries 1. Communications industry investigations
    Subseries 2. Adams-Goldfine investigation

3. Miscellaneous legislative and judicial records.

At present, the complete finding aid is not on line.  Researchers in Special Collections may refer to container lists for the series in this supplement.  For more information, inquire of the Special Collections staff.