A Guide to the Correspondence of the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1960-1980. Virginia.30670

A Guide to the Correspondence of the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1960-1980.

A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 30670


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Library of Virginia

The Library of Virginia
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Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
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Processed by: Library of Virginia Staff.

Repository
The Library of Virginia
Identification
30670
Title
House of Delegates, Speaker of the - Correspondence 1960-1980.
Extent
13.3 cubic feet (38 boxes)
Creator
Virginia. General Assembly. House of Delegates. Speaker.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Correspondence of the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1960-1980. Accession 30670, State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Archives Branch, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

Accession 30670 was transferred John Warren Cooke, March 20, 1980.

Processing Information

This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed.


Biographical/Historical Information

The House of Delegates' predecessor, the House of Burgesses, was modeled after the House of Commons, in Parliament. The House of Burgesses existed from 1643 to 1776. The first session of the General Assembly, which took place in 1776, established the first constitution and made the House of Delegates the most powerful branch in state government. It was not until the constitution of 1851 was adopted that a more equitable balance among the branches of government was established. In the General Assembly, members of the House of Delegates and the Senate vote on legislation entered during the legislative session. Legislative bills can originate either in the House of Delegates or in the Senate, with both chambers having the ability to establish study committees. Each serves as a check upon the other to ensure a thorough debate on the merits of each bill. Currently the House of Delegates, together with the Senate, meets as the General Assembly in annual session, alternatively during thirty to sixty days.

John Warren Cooke served in the House of Delegates from 1942-1980 and was Speaker of the House from 1968-1980 when he retired. He represented Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex Counties.

Scope and Content

Includes letters received and sent, and subject files of the Office of the Speaker John Warren Cooke, 1960-1980. Correspondents include constituents, lobbyists, legislators, and other public officials, and the subjects range from the Equal Rights Amendment through septic tank permits to the remodeling of the Life of Virginia Insurance building for General Assembly offices. Also includes information on appointments of House members to commissions and committees. The papers are arranged alphabetically by folder subject headings.

Also includes seven sets of architectural plans and drawing concerning the remodeling of the Life of Virginia Insurance Company building for use as a General Assembly office building and one set of plans concerning the renovation of the Richmond West Hotel for use as state offices.

There is also microfilm of correspondence, invititations, and speeches of Speaker of the House of Delegates John Warren Cooke, covering 1972-1979. The microfilm is filed with the collection.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by report date. Records have been kept in their original order.

Contents List

Correspondence of the Speaker of the House of Delegates , 1960-1980 (Accession 30670) .
Extent: 13.3 cubic feet (38 boxes)
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