Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

One box of privacy protected records (Box 130) is closed until 2075. Access to privacy protected records including but not limited to: criminal records, social security numbers, and medical records is restricted (public access and photoduplication) for 75 years after date of creation per Code of Virginia 42.1-78.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Clifton A. Woodrum. Papers, 1979-1999. Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, 23219.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Honorable Clifton A. Woodrum III, November 2006.

Biographical Information

Clifton 'Chip' A. Woodrum III of Roanoke, Virginia, was born in 1938 in Washington, D.C. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Virginia in 1972 and served as Virginia Democratic state chair 1972-1976. He was elected to the Virginia State House of Delegates in 1980 and served until his retirement in 2004. His grandfather, Clifton A. Woodrum (1887-1950), served in the U.S. Congress from 1923 to 1945.

Scope and Content

Papers, 1979-1999, of Clifton 'Chip' A. Woodrum, former member of the Virginia House of Delegates in the 16th House District, encompassing Roanoke and Roanoke County. Included are legislative and project files, campaign files, press clippings and releases, speeches, and special media.

The papers contain information on specific legislation and topics such as crime, education, judicial selection, medical and health issues, state lottery, rights of women, and taxes. Included are resolutions and material relating to the budget and budget amendments, copies of Virginia House and Senate bills and resolutions, notes, memorandums, correspondence, newsclippings, press releases, reports, and studies. There is correspondence from constituents, colleagues, public interest groups, professional organizations, administration officials, and local government. Also included are internal memos and notes, drafts, reports and studies, and publications.

Woodrum was a spokesman for education, rights of women, and for a fairer tax code. He sponsored legislation in 1987 creating the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program [H.B. 1216], a fund covering medical bills and other expenses for children who suffer disabling neurological injuries at birth. He also headed the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council and pushed for access to government meetings and documents. He was an outspoken critic of the state's move toward electric utility deregulation. Of note are Woodrum's legislative efforts for Roanoke and the surrounding area, including the Roanoke city charter, education, redevelopment, Roanoke Valley consolidation, Hotel Roanoke, and the Roanoke Regional Woodrum Field Airport.

The collection was organized into three series, Numerical files, Legislation files, and Dated files. All three series contain the same type of materials, with Numerical files being the largest series that followed a system created by the office of Woodrum. The archivist attempted to provide descriptive folder titles in an effort to guide the researchers. Many of the folders are arranged by House Bill or House Joint Resolution number and a description of the bill follows the numbers.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into the following series: