Some materials from this collection are available online.
Using These Materials
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to the collection is unrestricted with the exception of one folder in series 2 and several individual folders in series 5 because of the large amount of personal records (medical and educational) contained in the files.
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Summary
- Abstract:
- The Daniel Evan Button Papers contain Button's records of his terms as a U.S. Representative of the 29th Congressional District of New York.
- Extent:
- 42.2 cubic ft.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Daniel Evan Button Papers, 1962-1970. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.
Background
- Scope and Content:
This collection documents the political life of Daniel Evan Button. This collection represents Button's administrative actions during his two terms as a U.S. Representative: his contributions to legislation, files he received concerning domestic concerns and foreign relations, a sizable amount of correspondence he received from Albany residents, military case files for every military branch, as well as press releases and teleprompter papers for televised events.
Button served on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee as well as the Post Office and Civil Services Commission. Materials related to these assignments are dispersed throughout the collection, primarily in subject files and subject correspondence. Button also sponsored several bills pertaining to these two committees.
While in office, Joseph or "Joe" Parillo was Button's personal assistant in his Schenectady office. Also, Button had at least two secretaries who assisted him with his correspondence and case files. There are a number of records that contain notes regarding cases from these personnel.
Please note there is no material concerning Button's two books in this collection. There is also no material about his work at Times-Union, University at Albany, or his contributions to different societies. The entirety of this collection is from his time as U.S. Representative.
- Biographical / Historical:
Daniel Evan Button was a U.S. Representative from New York. Button was born in Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, NY on November 1, 1917. He graduated from Wilmington High School (Delaware) in 1933, received his A.B. from the University of Delaware (Newark, DE) in 1938, and his M.A. from Columbia University in 1939. Button was an author and journalist who worked at newspapers in Wilmington, with the Associated Press in New York City (1939-1947) and as executive editor of the Albany Times-Union (1960-1966). He served as the assistant to the president of the State University of New York (1952-1958) as well as on the staffs of the University of Delaware and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Button was elected in 1966 as a Republican in the 29th district, which includes Albany and Schenectady counties, as well as part of Rensselaer County. At this time, the 29th district's population was approximately 462,338 citizens. Button was part of the 90th and the subsequent Congress (January 3, 1967-January 3, 1971), but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1970. While serving as a U.S. Representative, Button was on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and Post Office and Civil Services Committees. While in office, he was critical of the war in Vietnam.
Button wrote two books, Lindsay, A Man for Tomorrow (1965) and Take City Hall (2003). He also was editor for Science Digest from 1976 to 1980.
Button was the president of the board of directors of the Clinton Square Neighborhood House and Citizens Committee for Albany Public Schools as well as for the Arthritis Foundation (1971-1975). He was director of the Council of Community Services, a trustee of the Mohawk-Hudson Council on Educational Television, and active on the boards of the World Affairs Council, as well as the American Association for the United Nations, Albany Fair Housing Committee, the Albany YWCA, and Citizens Planning Committee. In addition, Button was co-moderator for the television program, "Speak for Yourself."
Button died of pneumonia on May 7, 2009 at age 91 and is buried in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York.
- Acquisition information:
- Daniel Button initially donated his papers to Syracuse University. In 2006, the papers were transferred to the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives.
- Processing information:
Processed in 2013 by Katherine Demetri.
- Arrangement:
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Series 1 - HR, Legislation and Bills, 1964-1971, Undated
- Series 2 - Subject Files, 1962-1971, Undated
- Series 3 - Subject Correspondence, 1966-1970, Undated
- Series 4 - Correspondence, 1967-1970
- Series 5 - Case Files, 1965-1971, Undated
- Series 6 - Communication, 1965-1970, Undated
Series 1, 2, 3, and 6 are arranged alphabetically. Series 4 and 5 are arranged chronologically.
- Physical location:
- The materials are located onsite in the department.
Subjects
- Subjects:
- Schenectady, New York
Public Servants
Politics and Politicians
Military and Armed Conflict
Albany, New York
Postal service censorship
Veterans--Medical Care--United States
Veterans--Employment--United States
Military discharge--United States.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Public opinion.
Complaints (Military law)
Bills (legislative records)
Legislative Records
Files by subject
Correspondence
Press Releases
Clippings
Photographs
Speeches - Names:
- United States. Congress. House.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Post Office and Civil Service
Button, Daniel E. (Daniel Evan), 1917-2009 - Places:
- New York (State)--Politics and government
Albany (N.Y.)
Washington (D.C.)
Contents
Access
Using These Materials
- ACCESS:
- The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to the collection is unrestricted with the exception of one folder in series 2 and several individual folders in series 5 because of the large amount of personal records (medical and educational) contained in the files.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Daniel Evan Button Papers, 1962-1970. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.