Harley O. Staggers, Jr. Congressional Papers

​The Harley O. Staggers, Jr. Congressional Papers Collection contains the documentary, photographic, and audio/visual record of Harley Orrin Staggers, Jr.’s career in the West Virginia State Senate and the United States House of Representatives. The bulk of the collection ranges in date from 1980 to 1993, with some files dating back to the mid-1970s. 

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Collection Overview: 

Biographical Information:
The collection documents the career of Congressman Harley O. Staggers, Jr. during his term in the West Virginia State Senate (1980-1982) and the United States House of Representatives (1983-1993). Records include papers and audio visual materials of his campaigns, casework, activities on various committees, office organization, and correspondence which make up the bulk of the collection.

The Harley O. Staggers, Jr. Congressional Papers Collection is arranged in seven series: West Virginia State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Oversize, Personal, Press Files, Photographs, and Audio/Visual.
​Harley Orrin Staggers, Jr. represented West Virginia’s second congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 until 1993. Previously, he served in the West Virginia State Senate from 1980 until 1982. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Staggers, Jr. served on the Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Judiciary Committees. He also served on the Select Committee on Hunger (1988-1989) and the Select Committee on Aging (1989-1993). Upon leaving the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Staggers, Jr. returned to his law practice with his brother, Daniel. The firm of Staggers and Staggers operates offices in Keyser and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Learn More >

Collection Series Information:

West Virginia State Senate

Extent: 6 Boxes
​The West Virginia State Senate series (WV) contains correspondence, legislative reference files, casework, and office memoranda detailing Congressman Staggers, Jr.’s service in the West Virginia State Senate from 1980 until 1982. The series contains six subseries: Campaign, Committees, Correspondence, Expense Reports, Legislation, and Press Releases. 

U.S. House of Representatives

Extent: 39 Boxes
​The U.S. House of Representatives series (HR) contains correspondence, legislative reference files, casework, and office memoranda detailing Congressman Staggers, Jr.’s service in the U.S. Congress from 1983 until 1993. The series contains eight subseries: Campaign, Casework, Committees, Correspondence, Office Files, Scheduling, Speeches, and Voting Record. The Correspondence subseries is divided further into three records groups: Constituent, Subject, and VIP.

Oversize

Extent: 2 Boxes
The Oversize series contains records from various series and subseries of the collection which did not fit into standard letter-sized document
cases. Individual folders in the boxes reference files which are placed in the oversize series. 

Personal/Ephemera

Extent: 3 Boxes
​The Personal/Ephemera series contains correspondence with friends, colleagues, and family members from Congressman Staggers, Jr. Other items include pins, badges, and campaign ephemera.

Press

Extent: 30 Boxes
​The Press series contains newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, and other forms of communication between Congressman Staggers, Jr.’s office and the media. The series contains one subseries, Periodicals. 

Photographs

Extent: 5 Boxes
​The Photographs series contains a photographic record of Congressman Staggers, Jr.’s five terms in the United States House of Representatives including the Veterans Affairs Committee and his interactions with House Leadership and the Executive Branch. The series also documents his interactions with his constituents both in their visits to his office and his own trips through the second congressional district of West Virginia. The series contains over 400 historical photographs and negatives.

Audio/Visual

Extent: 11 Boxes
​The Audio/Visual series contains various formats of audio and visual material relating to Harley O. Staggers, Jr.  These formats include VHS and audio cassettes, film, magnetic tape, and others. *This series is not currently open for research, but special requests for access may be submitted to the archivist for review.