Brief Description: The collection spans the dates 1960-1969 and includes a small number of official records, personal letters and other items relating to Dole's college years, his military service, and his legal career as Russell County (KS) attorney and lawyer in private practice. The main body of the papers documents Dole's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1959-1960, subsequent Congressional campaigns, and the eight years (1961-1969) he spent as a congressman from Kansas' Sixth and later First Congressional Districts. The 119 cartons of material include correspondence, memos, reports, newsletters, speeches, casework, statements, testimony, campaign and Republican Party records.

Record Series Number: 01/001

Created by: Dole, Robert J. (1923-2021)

Volume: 120.5 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The papers are organized chronologically, much as they were when they made up the working files in the Congressman's office. Each box is indexed to the folder level. Scrapbooks, photographs, books, film, sound recordings, maps, printed materials, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia found within the House Papers have been removed from the manuscript collection and indexed separately. The Dole House Papers are organized into five (5) Record Groups, each containing several series, which reflect the activities of the congressman and his staff. Examination of files in all five record groups reveals how closely then-Congressman Dole was involved with all of the functions of his office. Activities in each of these areas provided support for his bi-yearly re-election bids. Indeed, these records were not the only means for performing these functions; they supplement telephone and in-person communications. The majority of files contain Senator Dole's handwritten comments, instructions, or replies to telephone and written communications.

Access Restrictions: Some materials within the Dole Archive are restricted because of their sensitive nature or because they contain personal or confidential information. These records are protected by federal laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Examples of restricted records are personnel files, medical records, financial records, and any materials containing personal information such as addresses and social security numbers. Restricted materials are identified at the box and/or folder level within the finding aid. Questions about these materials may be directed to the Senior Archivist of the Dole Archives. The casework files in the collection have been retained, but are restricted indefinitely. Access may be allowed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Dole Archives and only after a proposal has been reviewed and approved by the University of Kansas Human Subjects Committee.

Subject Index

Languages of Materials

Rights/Use Restrictions: Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different kinds of materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archive are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. Senator Dole has not donated his copyright interest in his papers and other historical materials to the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. Permission to publish must be obtained from him or his designee. There are other materials in the library carrying a copyright interest that must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted materials.