Mississippi Political Collections to dedicate Pickerings' papers
The Mississippi Political Collections unit of the Mississippi State University Libraries will host a public ceremony on Friday [March 31] commemorating the formal opening of the papers of Judge Charles W. Pickering and his son, Congressman Charles W. "Chip" Pickering Jr.
The ceremony, scheduled for 2 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library’s John Grisham Room, will feature a panel discussion including former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former two-term Gov. Haley Barbour, moderated by MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter.
All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome.
The Pickerings' papers will be part of the Mississippi Political Collections unit of the Libraries' Archives and Special Collections Division. The MPC, formerly the Congressional and Political Research Center, is best known for housing the papers of MSU alumni Sen. John C. Stennis and Congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery.
The collection adds valuable records to the national and state political history reflected in the MPC's archives. Judge Pickering's papers add to a robust network of collections that explore the rise of the modern Mississippi Republican Party, including the official papers of the state's GOP and several other 20th century figures. His papers also help expand the MPC's quickly growing holding of judicial papers and collections, an essential element of Mississippi's justice system history and public service.
Congressman Pickering's papers continue the story of Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District as Pickering succeeded Montgomery's legendary 30-year career in Congress. Chip Pickering's own 12-year career spotlights a part of early 21st century politics not yet explored in other open collections at the MPC, covering such crucial subjects as the 9/11 attacks, early days of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush administration, Hurricane Katrina and much more. Pickering's committee work and his contributions to telecommunications policy reflect a career focused on ensuring rural areas of the nation, including Mississippi, have access to broadband and other high-speed information technology needed to bolster the state's educational goals and workforce.
For more information about the event and the collection, contact Kate Gregory at kgregory@library.msstate.edu.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
