Search

During his thirty-eight years in the Senate, Russell received thousands of letters from Georgians and other citizens who revealed their concerns with issues of the day: agricultural policies, civil rights, communism, foreign policy, America's welfare, and any other contemporary hot topics. Most correspondence is with constituents, but congressional colleagues, government officials, representatives from special interest groups, and other American citizens are also represented.

Barboura G. Raesly began work in Senator Russell's office as a military case worker in June 1956. By January 1957 she became personal secretary with administrative and managerial responsibilities for military case workers and the handling of military case mail. In addition to the normal duties of a personal secretary, her responsibilities increased over the years to be more that of an assistant and an office manager. She frequently accompanied Senator Russell to Georgia between congressional sessions to manage the Winder office. However, she never held the position of administrative assistant.

Series XVIII. Exhibit B, under the terms of the original conveyance of the Russell Collection, were not to be made available until May 8, 1973. The primary intent of the executors was to avoid injuring or embarrassing any living person by the the dissemination of information contained in these documents. Exhibit B is currently available to researchers; however, this series must be reviewed by Russell Library staff prior to patron use. Family correspondence, excluding correspondence with Ina Dillard Russell and Richard B. Russell, Sr., is restricted. With the exception of family correspondence and some incoming correspondence, the documents were created primarily by Russell and his office staff. The general subject matter includes such topics as national defense, foreign policy, Vietnam, federal judgeships, the Warren Commission, office matters, legislation, and family affairs.