Indiana University Archives opens Burton Congressional Papers for research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Bloomington Archives has opened the congressional papers of former U.S. Rep. Dan Burton for research.
A gift from Burton upon his retirement from Congress in 2012, the collection chronicles his 30-year tenure representing Indiana’s 5th and 6th Districts in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Burton's collection complements the papers of Lee Hamilton, Richard Lugar and Frank McCloskey in the area of foreign affairs and offers unique resources on the work of the House on veterans affairs and government oversight and reform," said Brenda L. Johnson, Ruth Lilly Dean of University Libraries. "We are honored that some of Indiana's finest public servants have entrusted their papers to the IU Libraries, and we take seriously our responsibility to make them accessible and available."
The Burton papers were first opened for research last week during Congress Week, an annual event designed to promote awareness of the U.S. Congress.
Burton, a Republican, represented Central Indiana congressional districts from 1983 to 2013. He chaired the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. As a member of Congress, he fought for autism awareness, opposed international trade with Cuba and worked on a bipartisan effort to promote early detection of cancer.
Burton was born in Indianapolis, graduated from Shortridge High School and attended Indiana University and the Cincinnati Bible Seminary. He received honorary degrees from Dongguk University in South Korea and Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves. Before his election to Congress, he served in the Indiana House and Senate.
The Burton Congressional Papers include text and electronic records, such as legislative working files, press materials, constituent correspondence, photographs and video. Some material dealing with congressional committees will be closed for a period of time because of the House of Representatives' requirements for access to records.
The Burton papers are part of the IU Libraries Modern Political Papers Collection. Other items in the collection include:
- J. Edward Roush Congressional Papers (1959-67, 1971-76)
- Birch Bayh Senatorial Papers (1963-1980)
- The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 Digital Collection (1978-1980)
- Frank McCloskey Congressional Papers (1983-94)
- Lee H. Hamilton Congressional Papers (1965-1998)
- Lee H. Hamilton Post-Congressional Papers (1999-2010)
- Lee H. Hamilton 9/11 Commission Papers Digital Collection (2003-2005)
- Mike Pence Congressional Papers (2001-2012)
- Richard G. Lugar Senatorial Papers (1977-2012)
Project Archivist Hope Grebner and a team of graduate students from the Department of Information and Library Science processed the Burton collection beginning in August 2013. Inquiries about accessing the Dan Burton Congressional Papers may be directed to Grebner at 812-855-1538 or hgrebner@indiana.edu.
The Baron Hill Congressional Papers (1999-2004 and 2007-2010) are at the Indiana University Southeast Library in New Albany. For information about accessing the Baron Hill papers, contact Jackie Johnson, coordinator of archives and special collections at the IU Southeast Library, 812-941-2552 or jfessard@ius.edu.
About the IU Archives
The Office of Archives and Records Management at IU Bloomington is a department within the IU Library system. Its primary mission is to collect, organize, make accessible and preserve records documenting Indiana University's origins and development, and the activities and achievements of its officers, faculty, students, alumni and benefactors. It is the largest and most comprehensive source of information on the history and culture of Indiana University.
About Congress Week
Congress Week is sponsored by the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress, a group of over 40 institutions, including Indiana University, that promote the study of the U.S. Congress. Many of these institutions house the papers of current and former members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The association specifically encourages the study of Congress during April, the month when Congress started governing under the Constitution in 1789.
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Media Contacts
Becky Wood
- IU Bloomington Libraries
- Office 812-856-4817
- rewood@indiana.edu