Oral History Project
Featured Voices
Senator Carol Moseley Braun
"The women senators were all pretty much facing the same things, whether they were Republicanor Democrat."
Francis R. Valeo
"Well, when you say every senator must be equal...How do you make them equal?"
Senator John W. Warner
"As we approached the Pentagon, we could still see the flames leaping and the smoke bellowing."
Since 1976 the Senate Historical Office has conducted interviews with senators and staff. The mission of this project is to document and preserve the individual histories of a diverse group of personalities who witnessed events firsthand and offer a unique perspective on Senate history, many of whom may otherwise be missed by biographers, historians, and other scholars. These interviews cover the breadth of the 20th century and now the 21st century. The recording and preservation of these individual oral histories will lead to a fuller and richer understanding of the history of the Senate and of its role in governing the nation.
Transcripts of open interviews are available at the Senate Historical Office, and copies are deposited in the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the senatorial manuscript collections and appropriate presidential libraries. Select interviews are available on the U.S. Senate website.
For more information about the United States Senate Oral History Project, contact the Senate Historical Office at (202) 224-6900 or via email athistorian@sec.senate.gov.
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| Interviewee | Position | Years of Service | Events | Subjects* | Position Categories | Years Range |
| Ansley, Judy (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Staff Director, Senate Committee on Armed Services; Staff, Senator John Warner | 1983–2005 | September 11, 2001 | Foreign Policy, Investigations and Oversight, National Security, Rules and Legislative Process, Women | Personal Staff, Committee Staff | 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Arenberg, Richard A. | Staff to Senators Paul E. Tsongas, George J. Mitchell, and Carl Levin | 1975–2009 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001, Vietnam War, Watergate | Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Impeachment, Investigations and Oversight, Nominations, Rules and Legislative Process | Personal Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Attig, Francis J. | Official Reporter of Debates | 1952–1974 | Investigations and Oversight | Floor Support Staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 | |
| Bageant, Larry (not available online) | Correspondence Manager for Senators H. John Heinz, John B. Breaux, Edward M. Kennedy, Paul G. Kirk, and Scott P. Brown | 1983–2013 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | Personal Staff | 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 | |
| Baker, Richard A. | Senate Historian | 1975–2009 | September 11, 2001, Vietnam War, Watergate | Filibuster and Cloture, Impeachment, Rules and Legislative Process, U.S. Capitol Complex | Administrative Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Baker, Robert G. (not available online) | Senate Page; Chief Telephone Page; Democratic Party Secretary | 1942–1963 | Vietnam War | Civil Rights, Elections, Ethics, Filibuster and Cloture, Leadership, U.S. Capitol Complex | Party/Leadership Staff, Floor Support Staff, Pages | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969 |
| Ballard, Leonard H. | Inspector, U.S. Capitol Police | 1947–1984 | Inaugurations | U.S. Capitol Complex | Floor Support Staff, Administrative Staff, Pages | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Boxer, Barbara (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from California | 1993–2017 | Budget, U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Women, Foreign Relations, Ethics | U.S. Senator | 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 | |
| Brezina, Dennis W. | Legislative Assistant to Senator Gaylord A. Nelson | 1967–1971 | September 11, 2001, Vietnam War | Investigations and Oversight, National Security, Women | Personal Staff, Committee Staff | 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Burke, Sheila P. (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Legislative Assistant to Senator Robert J. Dole; Deputy Staff Director, Finance Committee; Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff to Republican Leader Robert J. Dole; Secretary of the Senate | 1977–1996 | 1980 election | Leadership, Women | Personal Staff, Officers, Party/Leadership Staff, Committee Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 |
| Burris, Roland W. (not available online) | U.S. Senator from Illinois | 2009–2010 | Inaugurations | African Americans, Civil Rights, Elections, Ethics, Filibuster and Cloture, Nominations, Rules and Legislative Process | U.S. Senator | 2000–2009, 2010–2019 |
| Caldwell, Charles Sergeant (not available online) | Staff to Senator Ralph W. Yarborough | 1957–1970 | Vietnam War, Watergate | African Americans, Civil Rights, Elections, Lobbying | Personal Staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969 |
| Capitol Telecommunications (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Capitol Operators | 1970–2006 | September 11, 2001 | Impeachment, U.S. Capitol Complex | Administrative Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Casey, Gregory S. (not available online) | Chief of Staff to Senator Larry E. Craig; Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Majority Leader; Sergeant at Arms | 1991–1998 | Inaugurations | Ethics, U.S. Capitol Complex | Personal Staff, Party/Leadership Staff, Officers | 1990–1999 |
| Church Committee (not available online) | Staff Members, Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities (Church Committee) | Committee staff | Foreign Policy, Investigations and Oversight, National Security | Committee staff | 1970–1979 | |
| Detwiler, Donald J. | Senate Page | 1917–1918 | U.S. Capitol Complex | Floor Support Staff, Pages | ||
| DiJulio, Tara (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Deputy Press Secretary and Press Secretary to Senator Wayne Allard; Press Secretary to Senator Robert Bennett; Communications Director to Senators Roger Wicker, Daniel Coats, and Robert Corker and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | 2007–2016 | Women | Personal Staff, Committee Staff | 2000–2009, 2010–2019 | |
| Edmisten, Rufus | Staff to Senator Samuel J. Ervin; Deputy Chief Counsel, Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (Watergate Committee) | 1964–1974 | Watergate | Investigations and Oversight, Civil Rights, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Committee staff | 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Elson, Roy L. | Administrative Assistant to Senator Carl T. Hayden; Candidate for the U.S. Senate | 1955–1969 | Watergate | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Civil Rights, Lobbying | Personal Staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969 |
| Ensley, Grover W. | Executive Director, Joint Economic Committee | 1949–1957 | Budget | Committee staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959 | |
| Female Pages (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | First Female Senate Pages | 1971–1972 | Women | Floor Support Staff, Pages | 1970–1979 | |
| Ferris, Charles D. | Staff Director, Senate Democratic Policy Committee | 1963–1977 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Impeachment, Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Civil Rights | Party/Leadership Staff | 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Gold, Martin (not available online) | Counsel to Senator Mark O. Hatfield; Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Senate Rules and Administration Committee; Senate Republican Leader | 1972–1982; 2003–2004 | Watergate, Vietnam War, 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | Investigations and Oversight, Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Committee staff, Party/Leadership Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Gustitus, Linda (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Legislative Assistant to Senator Carl Levin; Chief Counsel and Staff Director, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations; Chief of Staff to Senator Carl Levin | 1979–2003 | Investigations and Oversight, Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Women, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Committee staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 | |
| Hallen, Brian (not available online) | Senate Enrolling Clerk | 1986–1995 | Impeachment, Rules and Legislative Process | Floor Support Staff | 1980–1989, 1990–1999 | |
| Hildenbrand, William F. | Assistant to Senator J. Caleb Boggs; Administrative Assistant to Senator Hugh D. Scott; Republican Party Secretary; Secretary of the Senate | 1961–1985 | Watergate, Vietnam War, 1980 election | U.S. Capitol Complex, Investigations and Oversight, Foreign Policy, Civil Rights, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Party/Leadership Staff, Officers | 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Hoagland, G. William | Staff Director, Senate Budget Committee; Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader | 1975–2007 | Vietnam War, September 11, 2001 | Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Budget, National Security | Committee staff, Party/Leadership Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Hoffman, F. Nordy | Sergeant at Arms | 1975–1981 | Vietnam War, 1980 election | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Lobbying | Officers | 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Holt, Pat M. | Staff and Chief of Staff, Foreign Relations Committee | 1974–1977 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Foreign Policy | Committee staff | 1970–1979 |
| Hutchison, Kay Bailey (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from Texas | 1993–2013 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Women, Leadership | U.S. Senator | 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 | |
| Johnson, Michael A. | Senate Page; Staff, Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness; Deputy Assistant Sergeant at Arms | 1970–1974; 1978–2006 | Vietnam War, September 11, 2001 | U.S. Capitol Complex, African Americans | Officers, Floor Support Staff, Administrative Staff, Pages | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Johnston, Kelly D. (not available online) | Staff Director, Senate Republican Policy Committee; Secretary of the Senate | 1992–1996 | September 11, 2001 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Leadership, Lobbying | Party/Leadership Staff, Officers | 1990–1999 |
| Kassebaum Baker, Nancy (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from Kansas | 1978–1997 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Women, Foreign Policy | U.S. Senator | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 | |
| Kaufman, Edward E. (Ted) | Chief of Staff to Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr.; U.S. Senator from Delaware | 1973–1994; 2009–2010 | Impeachment, Investigations and Oversight, Nominations, Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Women, Foreign Policy, National Security, Lobbying | U.S. Senator, Personal Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 | |
| Kennedy, J. Keith (not available online) | Staff Director/Clerk, Senate Appropriations Committee; Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms | 1972–1997; 2003–2006 | Vietnam War, 1980 election | U.S. Capitol Complex, Investigations and Oversight, Rules and Legislative Process, Budget, National Security | Committee staff, Floor Support Staff, Administrative Staff, Pages | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Ketchum, James Roe | White House Curator, Senate Curator | 1970–1995 | Watergate, Inaugurations, 1980 Election | Leadership, U.S. Capitol Complex | Administrative Staff | 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 |
| Kimmitt, Joseph Stanley | Democratic Party Secretary; Secretary of the Senate | 1965–1981 | Vietnam War, 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | Foreign Policy, Civil Rights, Leadership, National Security | Party/Leadership Staff, Officers | 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Korologos, Tom C. (not available online) | Administrative Assistant to Senator Wallace F. Bennett; Senate Liaison in the Nixon and Ford Administrations; Consultant on the Confirmation of Nominations | 1962–1971; 1971–2003 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Impeachment, Nominations, Elections, Rules and Legislative Process, Civil Rights, National Security, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Administrative Staff | 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Landrieu, Mary L. (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from Louisiana | 1997–2015 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Women | U.S. Senator | 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 | |
| Lane, John D. | Administrative Assistant to Senator Brien McMahon | 1949–1952 | McCarthyism | Nominations, Elections, National Security, Lobbying | Personal Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959 |
| Letchworth, Elizabeth (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Senate Page; Floor Assistant; Republican Party Secretary | 1975–2001 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | Impeachment, Rules and Legislative Process, Women | Party/Leadership Staff, Floor Support Staff, Pages | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Levin, Carl (not available online) | U.S. Senator from Michigan | 1979–2015 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001, McCarthyism, Vietnam | U.S. Capitol Complex, Leadership, National Security, Foreign Policy, Elections, Impeachment, Investigations and Oversight, Nominations, Rules and Legislative Process, Civil Rights, Filibuster and Cloture | U.S. Senator | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 |
| Lincoln, Blanche Lambert (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from Arkansas | 1999–2011 | Elections, Women | U.S. Senator | 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 | |
| Little, J. Franklin | Senate Page | 1910–1912 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Women | Floor Support Staff, Pages | ||
| Ludlam, Chuck | Staff to Senators James G. Abourezk and Joseph I. Lieberman | 1975–2005 | Watergate, Vietnam War, September 11, 2001 | Impeachment, Investigations and Oversight, Nominations, Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Women, Budget | Personal Staff, Committee staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Marcy, Carl M. | Chief of Staff, Senate Foreign Relations Committee | 1955–1973 | Vietnam War | Women, Foreign Policy, Lobbying | Committee staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| McClure, Stewart E. | Chief Clerk, Senate Committee on Labor, Education, and Public Welfare | 1949–1973 | Watergate, Vietnam War | U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Rules and Legislative Process, Foreign Policy, National Security, Lobbying | Committee staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969 |
| McCreary, Christine S. (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Staff to Senators Stuart Symington and John Glenn | 1953–1998 | U.S. Capitol Complex, African Americans | Personal Staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 | |
| McGeary, W. Scott | Senate Page | 1969–1973 | U.S. Capitol Complex | Floor Support Staff, Pages | 1960–1969, 1970–1979 | |
| McGhee, Roy L. (not available online) | Superintendent, Senate Periodical Press Gallery | 1973–1991 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Elections, Rules and Legislative Process, Women | Administrative Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 |
| Moseley Braun, Carol (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from Illinois | 1993–1999 | Investigations and Oversight, Nominations, Elections, Rules and Legislative Process, Women, African Americans | U.S. Senator | 1990–1999 | |
| Murphy, Richard W. | Legislative Assistant to Senator Hugh D. Scott | 1964–1969 | Vietnam War | Civil Rights | Personal Staff | 1960–1969 |
| Nichols, Jesse R. | Government Documents Clerk and Librarian, Senate Committee on Finance | 1937–1971 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Budget, African Americans, Civil Rights | Committee staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 | |
| Paone, Martin P. | Senate Democratic Cloakroom Staff; Democratic Party Secretary | 1979–2008 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | Nominations, Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Budget, Lobbying | Party/Leadership Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Peek, Scott I. (not available online) | Administrative Assistant to Senator George A. Smathers | 1952–1963 | Elections, Lobbying | Personal Staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969 | |
| Rawls, W. Lee (not available online) | Staff Director to Senators Pete V. Domenici and William H. Frist | 1975–2005 | Vietnam War, September 11, 2001 | Filibuster and Cloture, Budget, Lobbying | Personal Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Reid, Warren Featherstone | Assistant to Senator Warren G. Magnuson | 1949–1981 | Vietnam War, 1980 election | U.S. Capitol Complex, Budget, Civil Rights, Lobbying | Personal Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Riddick, Floyd M. | Senate Parliamentarian | 1947–1974 | McCarthyism | Impeachment, Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Civil Rights | Floor Support Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Ridgely, William A. | Senate Financial Clerk; Assistant Secretary of the Senate | 1949–1981 | Watergate, 1980 election | U.S. Capitol Complex | Party/Leadership Staff, Officers, Floor Support Staff, Administrative Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Rynearson, Arthur J. | Office of the Senate Legislative Counsel | 1976–2003 | Vietnam War, 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | Rules and Legislative Process | Floor Support Staff, Administrative Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Scott, Dorothye G. (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Administrative Assistant to the Democratic Party Secretary and to the Secretary of the Senate | 1945–1977 | Watergate, Inaugurations, McCarthyism | Elections, Women, Civil Rights, Leadership | Party/Leadership Staff, Administrative Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Shuman, Howard E. | Legislative and Administrative Assistant to Senators Paul H. Douglas and William Proxmire | 1955–1983 | Watergate, Vietnam War, 1980 election | Filibuster and Cloture, Civil Rights, National Security | Personal Staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 |
| Skvarla, Diane (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Office of Senate Curator | 1979–1990, 1994–2014 | September 11, 2001 | Women, U.S. Capitol Complex | Administrative Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 |
| Smathers, George A. | U.S. Senator from Florida | 1951–1969 | Watergate, Vietnam War, McCarthyism | Elections, Foreign Policy, Civil Rights, Leadership, Lobbying | U.S. Senator | 1950–1959, 1960–1969 |
| Snowe, Olympia J.(Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | U.S. Senator from Maine | 1995–2013 | September 11, 2001 | Budget, U.S. Capitol Complex, Elections, Women, Foreign Relations, Rules and Legislative Process | U.S. Senator | 1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2019 |
| St. Claire, Darrell | Aide to Senator Carl T. Hayden; Chief Clerk (later Assistant Secretary) of the Senate | 1933–1977 | Watergate, Vietnam War, McCarthyism | Foreign Policy, Leadership | Personal Staff, Party/Leadership Staff, Administrative Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Tames, George | Washington Photographer for theNew York Times | 1945–1985 | Civil Rights, Lobbying | Administrative Staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 | |
| Valeo, Francis R. | Staff, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Aide to Senator Mike Mansfield; Democratic Party Secretary; Secretary of the Senate | 1952–1977 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Impeachment, Investigations and Oversight, Elections, Filibuster and Cloture, Rules and Legislative Process, Women, Foreign Policy, Civil Rights, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Party/Leadership Staff, Officers | 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Vander Zee, Rein J. | Assistant to the Senate Democratic Whip; Assistant Democratic Party Secretary | 1961–1964 | Vietnam War | Elections, Civil Rights, Leadership, Lobbying | Party/Leadership Staff | 1960–1969 |
| Vastine, J. Robert | Staff Director, Senate Republican Conference | 1971–1975; 1982–1991 | Budget, Leadership, Ethics | Personal Staff, Committee staff, Party/Leadership Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 | |
| Verkler, Jerry T. | Chief of Staff, Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee | 1956–1974 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Civil Rights, Lobbying | Personal Staff, Committee staff | 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Warner, John W. | U.S. Senator from Virginia | 1979–2009 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001, Inaugurations | U.S. Capitol Complex, Leadership, National Security, Foreign Policy, Elections, Impeachment | U.S. Senator | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Watt, Ruth Young (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) | Chief Clerk, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations | 1948–1979 | Watergate, McCarthyism | Investigations and Oversight, Women | Committee staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979 |
| Weiss, Leonard | Staff Director, Subcommittee on Energy, Nuclear Proliferation, and Federal Services; Committee on Governmental Affairs | 1976–1999 | Investigations and Oversight, Rules and Legislative Process, Foreign Policy, National Security, Ethics | Personal Staff, Committee staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999 | |
| West, Jade (Women of the Senate Oral History Project) (not available online) | Executive Director, Senate Steering Committee; Staff Director, Republican Policy Committee | 1982–2002 | Watergate, Vietnam War | Lobbying | Party/Leadership Staff | 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
| Wilcox, Francis O. | Chief of Staff, Senate Foreign Relations Committee | 1947–1955 | Vietnam War, McCarthyism | Foreign Policy, National Security | Committee staff | 1940–1949, 1950–1959 |
| Wineman, Timothy S. (not available online) | Senate Financial Clerk | 1970–2005 | 1980 election, September 11, 2001 | U.S. Capitol Complex, Rules and Legislative Process | Administrative Staff | 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2009 |
*The subjects in this column represent a selection of commonly discussed topics in the Oral History Project, not an exhaustive list.
Women of the Senate Oral History Project
Explore theinterviews in this ongoing project that document women's impact on the institution and its legislative business.
Senate Historical Office
Information provided by theSenate Historical Office.
Questions about Senate History?
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Biographical Directory
TheDirectory provides information about former and current senators.
