News Clippings, 1972

The Press and Media Materials Series contains press releases, weekly newsletters, speeches, newspaper clippings, and transcripts of radio and television broadcasts in which John J. Sparkman participated. The general weekly newsletters were issued from about 1958-1978. The collection also includes Sparkman’s Weekly Reports for 1960-1978, and a feature called Sparkman Answers Questions (1971-1978), a weekly column in which citizens of Alabama and subscribers to the newsletters wrote to Sparkman with their questions on current issues. The speeches and statements include Sparkman’s public addresses to Young Democrats associations; speeches and statements made on the Senate floor; and speeches regarding the acceptance of awards or projects related to Alabama waterways. The series includes publicity calendars, administrative files relating to advertising costs, correspondence with readers and viewers reacting to Sparkman’s appearances, and personal materials gathered by or relating to University of Alabama graduate Grover Smith, John J. Sparkman’s press secretary from 1957-1979. There are also photographs of Sparkman—many of which were sent out along with accompanying press releases—that include depictions of Sparkman meeting with constituents, on the campaign trail, visiting sites around Alabama, participating in activities as part of the Foreign Relations Committee, and other activities. The series also contains cassette tapes, vinyl records, flexi discs (some of which are attached to corresponding speeches), 16mm film, magnetic tape reels, and other items. The audiovisual materials may be subject to restrictions due to condition and format.