Inventory of the Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers 1947-1989 Godwin Jr., Mills E., Papers, 1947-1989 Mss. 78 G54

Inventory of the Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers 1947-1989

A Collection in the
Manuscripts and Rare Books Department
Collection Number Mss. 78 G54


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Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Special Collections
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8794
USA
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Email: spcoll@wm.edu
URL: http://swem.wm.edu/scrc/

© 2001 By the College of William and Mary

Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Staff

Repository
Special Collections, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Collection number
Mss. 78 G54
Title
Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers, 1947-1989.
Extent
ca. 42,070 items and 7 cartons.
Creators
Godwin family, Watkins Moorman Abbitt, Harry Flood Byrd, 1887-1966, Harry Flood Byrd, 1914- , Virginia Governor (1978-1982 : Dalton), Becky Katherine Godwin, Mills E. Godwin Jr., Henry E. (Henry Evans) Howell, Carter O. (Carter Olin) Lowance, J. Sargeant (Julian Sargeant) Reynolds, A. Willis (Absalom Willis) Robertson, Howard Worth Smith, William B. (William Belser) Spong, Thomas B. (Thomas Bahnson) Stanley, Allie Edwards Stokes Stephens, William M.(William Munford) Tuck.
Language
English
Abstract
Papers, 1947-1989, of Mills E. Godwin, Jr., member of the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate, lieutenant-governor and governor. Includes his correspondence; correspondence of his wife Katherine Thomas Beale Godwin and their daughter, Becky Godwin; schedules; speeches; citations; audiovisual materials; scrapbooks; and political memorabilia.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to all researchers.

Publication Rights/Restrictions on Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred Citation

Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information

Gift: ca. 40,000 items, 1978.
Gift: 3 cartons, 1985.
Gift: 4 cartons, 1989.
Gift: ca. 2,070 items, 1994.

Biographical/Historical Information

Mills Edwin Godwin, Jr., was born November 19, 1914, at Chuckatuck in Nansemond County, now the City of Suffolk, Virginia.

He completed public school and attended the college of William and Mary. He obtained his degree in law from the University of Virginia in 1938. Honorary doctorate degrees have been awarded him by Elon College, Roanoke College, Elmira College, the College of William and Mary, Washington and Lee University, Hampden-Sydney College, the University of Richmond and Bridgewater College.

While awaiting a commission in the U. S. Navy in World War II, he was appointed a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he served for three years prior to resuming the practice of law in Suffolk until he was elected governor of Virginia in 1965.

He first entered politics in 1948 when he began service in the House of Delegates. From 1952 to 1962 he served in the State Senate of Virginia. He was lieutenant-governor of Virginia from 1962 to 1966. During the 26 years he held public office, he ran seventeen times and was never defeated.

His first election as governor in November 1965, came after he had received the Democratic nomination without opposition.

During his administration from 1966 to 1970, he became known as "Virginia's Education Governor," taking the lead in upgrading education at every level from kindergarten through graduate school. Initiated and developed during his first term was the State's system of community colleges, two-year colleges offering occupational-technical and liberal arts training at minimum tuition. Salary increases and other improved benefits were granted teachers and faculty members. State aid to kindergartens, summer schools and classes for the handicapped encouraged broader opportunities throughout Virginia, and a number of other innovations were made in the public schools and higher education. The momentum followed a series of governor's conferences on education early in the administration. He persuaded the General Assembly to enact the Retail Sales Tax which was the first new broad-based tax passed in Virginia in more than one hundred years.

He continued and enlarged the emphasis on industrial development begun by his predecessor, Governor Harrison. He led the first two foreign trade missions and engaged in other efforts designed to attract high caliber new industry to Virginia and to encourage expansion by firms already located in the State. He saw industrial development and education as the principal means of continuing progress in Virginia.

During his tenure, Virginia made major strides also in water and air pollution control, port and park development, interstate, arterial and other highway construction, highway safety, mental health and other areas of State concern.

A blue ribbon commission appointed by Godwin proposed the State's first constitutional revision in forty years. The result was approved overwhelmingly by the voters. He also proposed the first general obligation bond issue in this century and led the campaign in which Virginia's voters approved it by a margin of more than two to one.

As governor he served as chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board, Vice Chairman of the Southern Governors Conference and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic Governors Conference and the National Governors' Conference. He also served as Chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

After serving as governor from 1966 to 1970, he returned home and became a Director of Standard Brands, Inc., Norfolk and Western Railway Company, Union Camp Corporation, Virginia Real Estate Investment Trust, and Dan River, Inc. and served as a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of Virginia National Bank. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation.

He resigned all of these posts after being elected governor a second time in November 1973, the first man ever twice elected by the people in Virginia to serve as Chief Executive. He was elected as the Republican nominee after being unopposed in their State Convention. He remains the only candidate in the country ever to win gubernatorial elections in the same state on both Democrat and Republican tickets.

During his second term as governor, he faced a series of crises of major proportions. The Arab oil embargo of late 1973 depressed the State's economy and the State revenues. As governor he ordered reduction of State spending by more than $200 million to keep the budget in balance and, as the economy improved later in his administration, he left a sizable surplus in the budget for his successor. Godwin dealt with the crises of shortages of gasoline, natural gas and fuel oil, the problem of Kepone, ten major floods and seven minor ones and the most serious drought in fifty years occurred in the last year of his administration which caused 115 of the State's 136 political jurisdictions to be designated as disaster areas. Despite these problems, Virginia's forward movement continued during his second term with major improvements in all areas, in job opportunities, and especially in our correctional programs and in public and higher education. He obtained approval from the General Assembly in 1977 for a Referendum on a $125 million General obligation Bond Program, largely earmarked for education and corrections, and again led the campaign which resulted in overwhelming approval for all five bond issues presented to the voters.

His leadership as governor was evidenced everywhere. Virginia's noted Pulitzer Prize winner and editor, Virginius Dabney, wrote that: "His two terms combine to form a series of constructive advances for the Commonwealth that are unsurpassed in the long history of Virginia's governors."

As governor from 1974 to 1978, he was Chairman of the Southern Governors Conference, a member of the Executive Committees of the National Governors' Conference and the Republican Governors' Conference. He was Chairman for the second time of the Southern Regional Education Board and Vice President of the Council of State Governments.

Godwin again returned to his home in Suffolk in January 1978, and served as a consultant to management and a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Virginia National Bank. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Union Camp Corporation, Standard Brands, Inc. and the Royster Company.

Married to the former Katherine Thomas Beale, Governor Godwin lived in Suffolk where for many years he owned and operated the 500-acre family farm. He has been active in the Oakland Christian Church, where he taught the Men's Bible Class for more than twenty-five years, and engaged in numerous community activities. He was a 33rd degree Mason, past president of Ruritan National, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi, the Raven Society and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was the recipient of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce's Distinguished Service Award, the Virginia National Guard's Distinguished Service Medal, the Virginia Education Association's citation as "Virginia's Education Governor," the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service from the old Dominion Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Centennial Medal from Hampton Institute, the Virginians of Maryland Medal, the FFA State Farmer Medal, also twice received a First Citizen's Award from Suffolk and Nansemond County, and the Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. Award from Norfolk State College, an award exemplifying highest caliber of statesmanship and interest in education in the Commonwealth. Virginia Military Institute has given him its New Market Medal, the highest award made by V.M.I.

On January 30, 1999, Mills E. Godwin Jr. died in Newport News, Virginia at the age of 84.

Chronology

November 19 1914 Born at Chuckatuck, Virginia, Nansemond County. Son of Otelia Darden and Mills Edwin Godwin, Sr. Sisters: Mary Lee, Mildred Elizabeth and Leah Otelia
1931 Graduated Chuckatuck High School
Class President, active in Debating and Speaking
1931-32 College of William and Mary, Norfolk Division
1932-34 College of William and Mary, Williamsburg
1935-38 University of Virginia Law School Law Degree, Raven Society, Omicron Delta Kappa
1937 Passed State Bar Examination
1938 Entered Law Profession
1940 Married Katherine Thomas Beale of Holland, Virginia
1943-45 Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
1946 Re-entered Law Profession
Involved in Nansemond County community programs
1947 Member of Virginia State Bar Association
Elected to Virginia House of Delegates, representing Nansemond County and the City of Suffolk
1948-52 Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Served on following committees: Insurance and Banking, Chesapeake and Its Tributaries, Executive Expenditures, Game and Inland Fisheries, and Nominations and Confirmations
1948 Member Board of Directors, Bank of Whaleyville, Virginia; Member Board of Trustees, Elon College, North Carolina
1949 Active in Oakland Christian Church and civic clubs, lodge, regional and other community activities
1951 Elected in special election to Virginia State Senate, Fifth Senatorial District, representing Southampton, Nansemond and Isle of Wight counties, and the cities of Suffolk and Franklin >
1952 Elected President of Ruritan National
1952-62 Member, Virginia State Senate
Served on following committees: Chairman, Fish and Game; Finance; Courts of Justice; Counties, Cities and Towns; Enrolled Bills, and Welfare
1954 Awarded Honorary Degree by Elon College
Appointed to Public School Study Commission by Thomas B. Stanley, governor of Virginia
1961 Elected lieutenant-governor of Virginia
1962-66 Served as lieutenant-governor of Virginia
1965 Elected Democratic governor of Virginia
1966-70 Served as governor of Virginia - First Administration "Virginia's Education Governor," initiated Community College System and upgraded education at all levels, persuaded General Assembly to enact retail sales tax
1966 Awarded Honorary Degree by College of William and Mary in Virginia
1967 Led first European Trade Mission
1969 Played important role in projecting a revised constitution for Virginia Awarded Honorary Degree by Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia
1970-73 Private Citizen Member, Board of Directors of Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation and Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Member, Board of Directors: Standard Brands, Inc., Norfolk and Western Railway Company, Union Camp Corporation, Virginia Real Estate Investment Trust, Dan River Mills, Inc. and Virginia National Bank (Executive Committee)
1970 Awarded Honorary Degree by Washington and Lee University Honorary chairman, Committee of Virginians for the Constitution; Advisory Committee, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. 's U. S. Senate Campaign
1971 Served on the advisory committee, George J. Kostel for lieutenant-governor campaign
1972 Awarded Honorary Degree by Elmira College, Elmira, New York
Advisory Committee, Re-election of President Richard M. Nixon
1973 Awarded Honorary Degree by Hampden-Sydney College
Elected Republican governor of Virginia
1974-78 Served as governor of Virginia - Second Administration
First person ever twice elected in Virginia to serve as Chief Executive and first in United States to be elected on both Democratic and Republican tickets
1974 Awarded Honorary Degree by the University of Richmond
Awarded Honorary Degree by Bridgewater College
1976 Played important role in Bicentennial celebration
1977 Awarded Navy Public Service Citation
1978 Private citizen
Returned to services as consultant and director of various boards
Awarded New Market medal by Virginia Military Institute
January 30, 1999 Died at Newport News, Virginia.

Scope and Content Information

The personal papers of Mills E. Godwin, Jr., dating from 1947 to 1978, consist of 24 boxes of correspondence, 1,100 copies of speeches, schedules and appointments. Also included are 40 scrapbooks of news clippings and photographs, 159 citations and plaques, and one box of audiovisual materials, all of which pertain largely to Godwin's personal involvement in the government, political life, activities, organizations and institutions of Virginia during the 30-year period. The majority of the items comprising this collection were microfilmed by the Virginia State Library.

It should be noted that all of the above referenced papers are identified as "personal" since the official executive correspondence of Godwin's two terms as governor of Virginia (1966-1970 and 1974-1978) has been placed by statute in the Archives Branch of the Virginia State Library. In connection with the personal papers, however, and available to researchers, are copies of the guide to the executive correspondence. The guide is on file with the Curator of Manuscripts at the Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

In addition to Godwin's personal papers, the collection includes a small quantity of Mrs. Godwin's correspondence and papers of their daughter, Becky, who was fatally struck by lightning in 1968, at the age of 15, at Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Included among these papers is correspondence of, or concerning, the following individuals: Watkins M. Abbitt, Harry Flood Byrd, Sr., Harry Flood Byrd, Jr., John N. Dalton, Henry E. Howell, Carter O. Lowance, Richard D. Obenshain, Julian Sargeant Reynolds, A. Willis Robertson, Howard W. Smith, William B. Spong, Thomas B. Stanley, A. E. S. Stephens, and William M. Tuck.

Among the many topics the papers cover are: the College of William and Mary, segregation, the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, higher education, taxation, the contamination of the James River by kepone, the oystering industry and public mental health care.

Copies of nineteenth-century Godwin family wills are located among the several additions to the collection.

Arrangement

Organization

The collection is organized twelve series. Series 1 is correspondence of Mills E. Godwin, Jr.; Series 2 is correspondence of Katherine B. Godwin; Series 3 is correspondence of Becky Godwin; Series 4 is schedules; Series 5 is speeches; Series 6 is citations and plaques; Series 7 is audiovisual; Series 8 is scrapbooks; and Series 9 is Political Memorabilia and Selected Material. The last three series, 10-12, are additions to the collection and are group into series by their accession number. Series 10 is accession 1985.15; Series 11 is accession 1989.29; and Series 12 is accession 1994.66.

Arrangement

Series 1-10 are generally arranged chronologically. The Additions to the collection located in Series 11 and 12, are also each arranged by date.

Related Material

Related papers can be found in the faculty-alumni file at the University Archive, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Other related papers can be found at the Library of Virginia.

Note: The College of William and Mary, Swem Library, Special Collections has a copy of the inventory/finding aid to this collection at the Library of Virginia. It is located with the Mills E. Godwin Jr. Papers. Executive Papers of Mills E. Godwin Jr., Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Va. 23219 USA.

Index Terms


Additional Related Material and Card Index

Card Index

There is a card index to the main collection, Mss. 78 G54, which is located in the Manuscript Cataloguer's office. This index catalogues people and subjects that appear in the collection.


Card Index

There is a card index to the main collection, Mss. 78 G54, which is located in the Manuscript Cataloguer's office. This index catalogues people and subjects that appear in the collection.


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Components List

Correspondence of Mills E. Godwin Jr., 1947-1978.
Box: Folder Box-folder: 1-15:1-325
Series 1: Correspondence of Mills E. Godwin Jr.

This series is comprised of Godwin's personal, political and business correspondence. Included are letters, telegrams, statements, memoranda, reports, clippings, photographs, legal documents, announcements, notes, invitations and other material.

This material concerns such things as personal letters, news clippings and other documents relating to Godwin's political career, including election to the House of Delegates, Senate of Virginia, lieutenant- governor and his two terms as governor. Additionally, the series contains a collection of correspondence and other documentation relating to his personal life, church and civic endeavors, as well as such items relevant to critical events of his political career such as the school integration crisis, revision of the State Constitution and bonded indebtedness referenda.

Individual folders made for certain specific topics have been placed at the end of the year in which they occurred. For example, the role Godwin played as a private citizen in connection with the Virginians for the Constitution in 1970 and with the U. S. Senate campaign of Harry F. Byrd, Jr. and the correspondence pertaining thereto will be found filed at the end of 1970. Other topics arranged in the same manner are: Commission on Constitutional Government, 1958-1962; George Kostel for lieutenant-governor campaign, 1971-1972; and Virginians for the Re-election of the President, 1972.

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Correspondence of Katherine B. Godwin, 1966-1976.
Box: Folder Box-folder: 15-16:1-14
Series 2:Correspondence of Katherine B. Godwin

This series begins with an article from the Virginia Record of January, 1966, entitled "First Lady of the Commonwealth." It gives much information regarding Mrs. Godwin, Governor Godwin, and their daughter, Becky. Other correspondence includes certain highlights of includes certain highlights of Mrs. Godwin's official, personal and social activities during her husband's public life.

Other material related to Mrs. Godwin is scattered throughout the entire collection, and the items comprising this series constitute a small portion of the total amount of her correspondence in the Godwin Papers since she personally handled the bulk of her correspondence.

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Correspondence of Becky Godwin, 1957-1974.
Box: Folder Box-folder: 16:1-5
Series 3: Correspondence of Becky Godwin

This correspondence includes letters, news articles and general information relating to Becky Godwin, beginning with her early school days and continuing through 1968. Included among the material is her diary written in March and April, 1963, covering a European trip she made with her mother and father, who was then lieutenant-governor.

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Schedules, 1966-1978.
Box 16
Series 4: Schedules

This series consists of official appointment and engagement books compiled during Godwin's two gubernatorial terms, 1966-1970 and 1974-1978. Also included are his major appointments as a private citizen for the years 1971, 1972 and 1973.

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Speeches, 1957-1978.
Box 17-24
Series 5: Speeches

This series contains Godwin's official speeches, as well as other formal speeches made as a private citizen from 1957 through 1977. Although Godwin was a popular speaker prior to 1957, especially during his active participation in Ruritan National and early days in the General Assembly, no copies of speeches given during that period have survived.

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Citations and Plaques, 1954-1978.
Box 25
Series 6: Citations and Plaques

This series consists of the citations presented to Godwin by eight institutions of higher learning on the occasions of the awarding of honorary degrees. A listing of 159 citations, plaques, etc., is also included. Four citations and plaques are listed for Mrs. Godwin for the period 1968 through 1976. There are a number of citations and plaques awarded to Godwin or his wife which have been retained by them and are not presently included with those transferred to The College of William and Mary.

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Audiovisual, 1966-1976.
Box 26
17 items.
Series 7: Audiovisual

This series consists of one box of television and radio tapes, films and recordings. Included are tapes of the Governor's Education Conferences in 1966 and 1967 and a 30-minute film, The Godwin Years, presented to Godwin by the Virginia Association of Electric Cooperatives.

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Scrapbooks, 1943-1978.
Box 1-21
40 Scrapbooks.
Series 8: Scrapbooks

These scrapbooks cover Godwin's political activities beginning in 1943, his service in Ruritan National and his presidency of that organization in 1952, his gubernatorial campaign of 1965, educational conferences, and first and second terms as governor. These are listed chronologically from 1943 through January, 1978. A number of scrapbooks have been retained by Governor and Mrs. Godwin and are not included with those transferred to The College of William and Mary.

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Political Memorabilia and Selected Material, 1965-1973.
Box: Folder Box-folder: 27
Series 9: Political Memorabilia and Selected Material

This series consists of one large box of 1973 campaign material, of which two binders have been placed on microfilm, and one small box which contains magazines, news clippings, and small scrapbooks concerning special activities. One envelope of unclassified photographs and copies of inaugural programs and invitations for 1966 and 1974 are also included.

Other items in this series include VEA Convention edition - Godwin, Virginia's Education Governor, 1973. Papers: Virginia's Future First; Howell Rejects; 88%; Yes, Godwin stands for Neighborhood Schools; Yes, Godwin will protect our Right to Work Law; And Where Does Henry's Money Come From; Henry's Tax Scheme, Can You Afford It; Virginia's Future, Let's Give it Our Best; On the One Hand, But on the Other, Let's Keep Henry Honest. Godwin bumper stickers and buttons. Virginia Record, July, 1973, Mills E. Godwin, Jr., The Man for Virginia; The New Majority Program. Posters: Mills Godwin, The Clearest Choice for Virginia's Future; Virginia's Future, Give it Your Best - Godwin for Governor; Dalton for Lieutenant-Governor. Godwin for Governor stationery; Godwin for Governor buttons; Volunteer Register, September 4-November 2, 1973. Black notebook containing congratulatory letters and thank you letters sent to lists in notebook; blue notebook containing sample letters sent to groups and individuals for support and help in Godwin's inauguration.

The items listed separately below are those that have been microfilmed.

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Accession 1985.15, 1978-1983.
Box 28-30
3 boxes.
Series 10: Accession 1985.15

These papers of Mills E. Godwin begin after he left gubernatorial office in 1978. Godwin remained a significant player in Virginia political circles, hoping to maintain the power of the coalition of conservative Democrats and Republicans which he headed. The papers concern the U. S. Senate campaigns of 1978 (Warner v. ), and 1982, the gubernatorial campaign of 1981 (Robb v. Coleman), investment policies of Virginia, affirmative action (quotas), public employee collective bargaining, Virginia Wesleyan College, Harry F. Byrd, Jr.'s decision to retire from the Senate, the Martin Luther King holiday in Virginia (federal and state), Republican Party of Virginia, General Assembly and local elections, the Virginia Community College System and the city of Suffolk.

Correspondents include Gerald Baliles, Harry F. Byrd, Jr., J. Marshall Coleman, John N. Dalton, Gerald R. Ford, Albertis Harrison, Charles S. Robb, D. French Slaughter, and John Warner. There are also routine letters written by Godwin of sympathy, get-well wishes, recommendation as well as replies to requests for help.

This addition continues with the box numbers of the larger collection that ended with Series 9. The series is arranged primarily by date.

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Accession 1989.29, 1978-1990.
Box 1-4
4 boxes.
Series 11: Accession 1989.29

This addition covers committees and organizations that Mills E. Godwin belonged to and/or had an vested interest in from 1978 to 1900. These include the Obenshain Senatorial (Republican primary) Campaign of 1978, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, the Virginia Science Museum, the City of Suffolk, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, the Republican Party politics, Virginians for Reagan, the John N. Dalton Oncology Clinic, the Medical College of Virginia, the Virginia Wesleyan College and Godwin's opposition to pledge bond amendments to Virginia Constitution for transportation.

Correspondents include Harry F. Byrd, Jr., Paul Trible, Wyatt Durrette, and D. French Slaughter.

This series is arranged primarily by date.

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Accession 1994.66, 1981-1992.
Box 1-4
ca. 2,070 items.
Series 12: Accession 1994.66

These papers composite a largely non-political nature. Most of the letters concern personal matters, invitations, get-well wishes, and letters of sympathy. Political papers concern the 1992 Virginia Bond issue, Godwin's contribution to Bush's 1988 and 1992 presidential campaigns, Chichester for lieutenant-governor in 1985, the 1989 gubernatorial race (Coleman v. Wilder), the Virginia Republican Party, Godwin's support for Trible for Republican gubernatorial candidate in 1989, the 1978-1979 HEW controversy in Virginia (desegregation of higher education), and the 1986-87 Virginia Transportation Commission.

Correspondents include Gerald Baliles, Harry F. Byrd, Jr., J. Marshall Coleman, Albertis S. Harrison, Charles S. Robb, John Warner, Richard Short and Hunter Andrews.

This series is arranged by subject.

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