RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Claudine Schneider Congressional Papers (Mss. Gr. 89)

University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections

15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Scope & content

The Claudine Schneider Papers were donated by the former congresswoman in 1990 and 1991. Prior to their transfer the records were housed in Schneider's Washington, D.C. office. The collection consists of official records from Schneider's five terms (1981-1991) as the United States Representative from Rhode Island's second district. Included are records generated by Schneider’s staff members Anne Schwartz, David Stonner and Ian A. Nichols.

Series I, Subject Files, 1978-90, consists of issue-related and political material accumulated during Schneider's five terms as U.S. Representative for Rhode Island's second district. Included in this series are press clips, correspondence, articles, schedules, pamphlets and photographs.

Series II, Correspondence, 1980-90, contains materials such as letters cosigned, official correspondence, "Dear Colleague" letters and thank-you letters. The series is incomplete since personal correspondence and some staff memoranda are missing.

Series III, Bills Co-sponsored, 1983-90 consists of bills cosponsored by Schneider and related materials. This series is also incomplete since most bills from the 100th and 101st Congresses are missing.

Series IV, Bills Sponsored, 1982-90, contains bills primarily sponsored by Claudine and related materials.

Series V, Women's Issues, 1982-90, includes materials relating to Schneider's interest and participation in women's issues. The series contains materials such as press clips, correspondence, articles and speeches.

Series VI, Clinch River, 1975-83, consists of material relating to the $3.2 billion Clinch River Breeder Reactor Project in Tennessee. Records include correspondence, press clips, and newsletters. The Series is incomplete since some of the files were lost during shipping.

Series VII, Press Releases, 1980-90, includes press releases issued by Schneider's office.

Series VIII, News Clips, 1977-90, consists of press clips which either mention or quote Schneider.

Series IX, House Campaigns 1978-88, contains materials relating to Schneider's six campaigns for the House of Representatives and includes briefing books, correspondence, memos, press releases, endorsements, budgets, scrapbooks, audiotapes, videotapes, volunteer lists and campaign brochures.

Series X, Senate Campaign, 1982-1990, documents Schneider's attempt to win election to the U.S. Senate in 1990. Included are correspondence, memos, briefing books, polling data, position papers, brochures, bumper stickers, pamphlets, press releases, campaign finance reports, and videotapes.

Series XI, Charlestown Nuclear Power Plant, 1973-1979, includes materials relating to Schneider's opposition to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Included are correspondence, memos, legal briefs, petitions for leave to intervene, reports, and transcripts of testimony. Although the material in this series pre-dates Schneider's campaigns and Congressional service, it is included in this record group because it demonstrates Schneider's commitment to political activism and because it is the issue which first brought her to public attention in Rhode Island.

Series XII, Computer Files, 1983-86, consists of various computer disks produced and maintained by Schneider's staff.

Series XIII, Memorabilia, 1983-90, contains plaques, awards and honorary degrees given to Claudine Schneider during her five terms as a U.S. Representative.

The records contained in the Addendum series include subject files, campaign files, news articles, photographs, film, audio cassettes, plaques and awards. These materials were transferred to Special Collections in 2000 from the Schneider’s former residence in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Series XIV, Subject Files, 1973-1993, contains correspondence, memoranda, speeches, reports, and news articles. Subjects include issues concerning the environment, education, commerce, nuclear power, women’s rights, and drug control.

Series XV, House Campaigns, 1978-1990, contains correspondence, reports, speeches, campaign advertisements, and financial records regarding Schneider’s campaigns for congress.

Series XVI, Senate Campaigns, 1987-1990, contains correspondence, reports, speeches, campaign advertisements, and financial records regarding Schneider’s bid for the United States Senate seat in 1990.

Series XVII, News Articles, 1973-1992, contains newspaper clippings and magazine articles. Topics include issues relating to political campaigns, environmental management, and health care.

Series XVIII, Photographs, 1978-1990, contains photographs, slides, and negatives of Schneider’s campaign events, hearings, speeches, and foreign travel.

Series XIX, Audiovisual, 1978-1990, contains VHS cassettes, film reels, and audio cassettes of newscasts, political talk shows, and documentaries.

Series XX, Printed Matter, 1982-1990, contains books, photographs, campaign paraphernalia, plaques and awards.

In July of 2006 five linear feet of audiovisual material (1982-1990) consisting of VHS tapes, beta-format tapes, and film reels were transferred to Special Collections from Schneider's residence. Included in the shipment were 1.5 linear feet of paper records (1991-1992) concerning health care reform, biodiversity, and other environmental issues.