Ichord, Richard H. (1926-1992), Papers, 1960-1980 (C1269)
349.5 linear feet
INTRODUCTION
The papers of Ichord, a Democratic congressman from Missouri, consist of correspondence, committee files, legislative files, campaign files, and related material.
DONOR INFORMATION
The Richard H. Ichord Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Ichord on 24 April 1980 (Accession No. 4290).
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Richard Howard Ichord was born in Licking, Texas County, Missouri, on June 27, 1926. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Missouri, 1949 and a J.D. degree, also from the
university, in 1952.
He served in the Missouri State House of Representatives, 1952-1960, was speaker pro tempore, 1957, and speaker, 1959. He was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-seventh and to the nine succeeding congresses (January 3, 1961-January 3, 1981)
He was chair of the Committee on Un-American Activities (Ninety-first Congress) and chair of the Committee on Internal Security, formerly the Committee on Un-American Activities (Ninety-first through Ninety-third congresses)
Ichord did not run for reelection to the Ninety-seventh Congress in 1980. He returned to Missouri where he became a professional advocate. He died on December 25, 1992, in Nevada, Missouri.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The Ichord Papers are arranged into 20 series:
These series were set up by Ichord’s office. Occasionally different secretaries filed similar material in different places. Efforts were made to put like materials together in the box list that follows.
The Campaign Files are arranged chronologically and cover all of Ichord’s congressional campaigns. The Departments series is arranged alphabetically by department or agency name. Sometimes an agency is filed under the department name, such as “Agriculture—Farmers Home Administration”, other times it is filed directly under its name, such as “Army”, not “Defense—Army”. Check both places.
The House Armed Services Committee series and the Military Construction Subcommittee subseries are arranged alphabetically by subject. The three series House Un-American Activities Committee, House Un-American Activities Committee/House Committee on Internal Security, and the House Committee on Internal Security reflect the change from the HUAC to the HCIS in the 1970s. Dates of materials in these three series overlap so check all three series. The series are arranged alphabetically by subject.
The Legislation series is arranged alphabetically by subject. The Missouri Files, arranged alphabetically by subject or organization, cover subjects directly affecting Missourians. Related series are the Meramec Basin and Dam, the Missouri Redistricting, National Forest Preservation Commission, and the Water Resources series.
Series dealing with the running of Ichord’s office and his response to his constituents include the Office Files; Private Cases; Projects Files; RHI Legislation; RHI Personal Files, including a “decision to retire” subseries; Governor Assessment Files, when he considered running for governor; and Invitations. A General series includes “Dear Colleague” letters and miscellaneous subject files.