This past Saturday, March 29, the University Libraries hosted an event called Imagine Weekend. There were a few events relating to Special Collections & University Archives. One was “Archives in Action.” We were delighted to have two of our donors speak about their collections.
As the digital collections specialist for Rick Boucher’s Papers, I will be focusing on Rick Boucher’s talk and collection. He was a member of the Virginia’s State Senate from 1975 until 1982. He was then elected to represent the ninth district of Virginia in the House of Representatives from 1983 until 2011. He also practiced law while participating in the state senate and continued after 2011.
For the event, I selected thirty-three items from the collection to accompany his talk.
The exhibit tables with the selected items from Boucher’s collection
This included a photograph of Boucher and his mother the night he won his state senate seat:
A Photograph of Boucher and his MotherFollowing that were Boucher’s statement and speech against impeaching Bill Clinton. Boucher was the lead author of the Democratic resolution of censure. A censure was the alternative to impeachment. Boucher was chosen to take the lead on it because of his willingness to work with both political parties.
A handwritten statement by Boucher offering a censure resolution instead of the impeachment of Bill Clinton
A speech given by Boucher against the impeachment of Bill Clinton
Boucher and Bill Clinton shake hands at the White House
Boucher shakes hands with Bill Clinton at an event
Boucher with Harold Berman (CA) during a judiciary committee meeting for the proceedings of the impeachment of Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C.
During Boucher’s talk, he also discussed his efforts to expand the economy in Southwest Virginia. He started a program called Showcasing Southwest Virginia to garner interest from national companies to start branches in the various counties of the ninth district. To provide examples of Boucher’s efforts to improve Southwest Virginia, I included three photographs that were taken at these events. Along with the photos, I included the announcement Boucher released concerning the creation of Showcasing Southwest Virginia. The final item relating to expanding the economy in this region is a newsletter containing updates on Showcasing Southwest Virginia.
Boucher speaks to the Board of Supervisors for Pulaski County during a tour to showcase Southwest Virginia
Boucher’s statement on how he plans to use the Commission on the Future of Southwest Virginia to benefit his constituents
Boucher reviews a plan for C and P Telephone, now known as Verizon, with Hugh Stallard, who was the president of the Virginia branch of C and P, during a Showcasing Southwest Virginia visit in Pulaski
Boucher, Madison Marye, and Dick Bagley cut a ribbon during a Showcasing Southwest Virginia tour
A newsletter promoting Boucher’s Showcasing Southwest Virginia program
Another topic Boucher focused on during his talk was his efforts in environmental policy. Boucher played a role in making the Virginia Creeper Trail a nationally recognized trail. He also helped pass the Wilderness Bill which helps preserve natural areas and trails in Virginia. As part of his time in the House of Representatives, Boucher was part of the energy and environment committee which I included a photo of. As part of that committee, Boucher toured a science station in Antarctica and encountered penguins.
Statement given by Boucher about developing ecological tourism in the region
Handwritten speech given by Boucher about increasing tourism to the area
A portrait of the members of the Energy and Environment
committee
Handwritten statement given by Boucher about a piece of legislation meant to protect wilderness areas
Boucher wears a backpack on a hike celebrating wilderness
Handwritten speech given by Boucher about protected wilderness areas in Southwest Virginia
Boucher poses with penguins on a trip to the South Pole
Boucher poses with penguins on a trip to the South Pole
Boucher poses with penguins on a trip to the South Pole
The major policies Boucher was influential in were telecommunication legislation. For this topic, I included several of Boucher’s speeches and statements regarding telecommunications:
Handwritten speech on telecommunications
Statement given by Boucher about developing electronic spaces for community members
Handwritten speech given by Boucher about a proposed plan for broadband internet
Handwritten remarks given by Boucher about access to TV service in rural areas
Handwritten speech given by Boucher to the Carolina- Virginia Telephone Association about legislation pertaining to telecommunications
Handwritten speech given by Boucher about a program intended to bring fiber optic lines to Southwest Virginia homes
Handwritten speech given by Boucher outlining rules that telecommunications companies must follow
Handwritten remarks given by Boucher about the effects of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act on fair use
A marked up copy of a speech given by Boucher about the fair use exception to copyright law
A statement by Boucher regarding power for telecommunications support
Virginia Tech Resources:
Click here to explore the Rick Boucher Papers where you can view the documents and photos I’ve included in this post as well as the rest of the collection.
Rick Boucher Papers, Ms2021-048, Special Collections & University Archives at Virginia Tech
