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Stewart B. McKinney, District of Columbia papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS2154

Collection Scope and Content

This collection consists primarily of correspondence along with documents such as reports, editorials, publications, newspaper articles, and legislative documents. All these materials were generated or collected by Stewart B. McKinney and his office during his time as a member of the House of Representatives. This material directly relates to McKinney's work on the House District of Columbia Committee. The most prominent subject is home rule. In 1973, the Home Rule Act passed in Congress, and District residents approved it in a special referendum the next year. In a historic leap for greater self-determination, District citizens elected a Mayor and Council in the fall of 1974. Voters also approved the election of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners who represent every 2,000 residents to advise the Council on neighborhood concerns. The material dates from 1966-74.

Dates

  • Creation: 1966-1974

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

Stewart B. McKinney (1931-1987) served as a Republican Congressman from the state of Connecticut from 1971 until his death in 1987. During his time in Congress, McKinney served as the ranking minority member of the House District of Columbia Committee. In addition to his work on the District committee, McKinney was the second-ranking Republican on the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee. During his time in office he was a proponent of federal housing programs, home rule for the District of Columbia, and programs to help Ameriasian children and the homeless. McKinney was the author of the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act. In addition, he was the principal author of the Urgent Relief for the Homeless Act introduced in 1987. Following his death the act was remained the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The McKinney Act originally consisted of fifteen programs providing a range of services to homeless people, including the Continuum of Care Programs: the Supportive Housing Program, the Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Single Room Occupancy Program, as well as the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. Though amended several times since its passage, the McKinney Act has stood the test of time, and provides the best first step to address the needs of a population that is, by and large unknown and under represented.

Before becoming active in Republican politics, he was a tire dealer in Fairfield Connecticut. McKinney was born January 30, 1931 in Pittsburgh. He attended Princeton University and earned a bachelor's degree at Yale University. He served in the Air Force from 1951-55.

Extent

2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection consists primarily of correspondence along with documents such as reports, editorials, publications, newspaper articles, and legislative documents generated or collected by Stewart B. McKinney and his office during his time as a member of the House of Representatives. This material directly relates to McKinney's work on the House District of Columbia Committee. The most prominent subject is home rule.

Acquisition Information

In 1987 the city of Bridgeport transferred McKinney's District of Columbia files to George Washington University. It is these records that make up this collection.

Related Materials

Stewart B. McKinney Papers (1992-0049), Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries

McKinney Campaign videos in the Julian P. Kanter Political Commercial Collection, Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, University of Oklahoma.

Title
Guide to the Stewart B. McKinney, District of Columbia papers, 1966-1974
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
George Washington University Gelman Library
2130 H Street NW
Washington DC 20052 United States of America