Thomas A. Daschle Personal Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

US SDSU-DASH DA 003

Name and location of repository

Thomas A. Daschle Papers

Level of description

Papers

Title

Thomas A. Daschle Personal Papers

Date(s)

1968-2005 (Creation)

Extent

66.0 linear feet (64 record boxes, 2 document cases)

Name of creator

Daschle, Thomas

(1947-)

Biographical history

Senator Tom Daschle is one of the longest serving Senate Democratic Leaders in United States history and the only individual to serve two separate terms as both Majority and Minority Leader. As Democratic Leader, he co-managed the impeachment trial of President William Jefferson Clinton, the second presidential impeachment trial in the nation’s history. He also directed the Senate’s response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to the anthrax attack on his office on October 15, 2001.

Daschle was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978, winning by fewer than 200 votes. He was reelected three times before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 1986. He served three Senate terms before his defeat in 2004. Viewed as a populist Democrat, he helped his party remain competitive in a predominantly Republican state. Daschle rose quickly in congressional leadership, becoming Senate Democratic Leader in 1994 and serving in that role until 2004, making him the second longest serving leader in party history. During his congressional career, he served on numerous committees, including the Senate Finance Committee, the Democratic Policy Committee, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the Veterans and Indian Affairs Committees, and the Finance and Ethics Committee.

Family Background

Thomas Andrew Daschle was born December 9, 1947, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the eldest of four sons of Sebastian C. and Elizabeth Meier Daschle. He attended public and parochial schools in Aberdeen and was active in Scouting. At Aberdeen Central High School, he played basketball, served as student council president, and was elected senior class president. His interest in politics grew through participation in American Legion Boys State, and he was influenced by Senator George McGovern, who spoke at his high school graduation.

Daschle became the first member of his family to graduate from college, earning a political science degree from South Dakota State University in 1969. While in college, he participated in Air Force ROTC and the Political Science Club and ran unsuccessfully for sophomore class president in 1965.

He is married to Linda Hall Daschle and has three children: Kelly, Nathan, and Lindsay.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The Personal Papers are composed of materials Daschle separated from the rest of the collection which were of personal interest to him. Included are pre-congressional materials, campaign records, legislative records, correspondence, political records, media files, and files saved for their intrinsic value.

System of arrangement

DA 3.0: Pre-Congressional Relations
- George S. McGovern Campaign Volunteer
- James G. Abourezk Legislative Assistant and East River Constituent Service Director
DA 3.1: Campaign records
- 1978 U.S. House of Representatives Campaign vs. Leo K. Thorsness)
- 1980 U.S. House of Representatives Campaign vs. Bart Kull (R)
- 1982 U.S. House of Representatives Campaign vs. Clint Roberts (R)
- 1984 U.S. House of Representatives Campaign vs. Dale Bell (R)
- 1986 U.S. Senate Campaign vs. James Adbnor (R)
- 1992 U.S. Senate Campaign vs. Charlene Haar (R)
- 1998 U.S. Senate Campaign vs. Ron Schmidt (R)
- 2004 U.S. Senate Campaign vs. John Thune (R)
- Hildebrand, Steve, Campaign Manager 2004 Campaign Manager Files
- Undated Campaign Material
DA 3.2: Legislative Records
- Congressional Records
  - Floor Statements
  - Health Security Act of 1993 files
  - Legislative Activities and Voting Record
  - Majority Leader files
  - Nomination files
  - South Dakota Projects
  - Specific Bill files
  - Subject files
DA 3.3: Correspondence
DA 3.4: Political Records
- Congressional Travel
- Events
- Memoranda
- Monthly reports
- Office Administration Files
- Political Party Files
- Recognition Files
- State Office Files
- Speeches
- Writings
DA 3.5: Save Files
- Collected Addresses
- Collected Articles about Daschle
- Collected Publications
- Memorabilia
- Collected Writings
- Constituent Samples
- Party Memorabilia
- Political Memorabilia
DA 3.6: Media Activity
- National News
- Newswires
- South Dakota News

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

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Languages of the material

English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

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Notes element

General note

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