Creator: Bonner, Herbert Covington, 1891-1965.
Collection number: 3710
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Abstract: Herbert Covington Bonner, of Washington, N.C., was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1940 until his death in 1965. He was chairman of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, 1955-1965, and chairman, 1951-1955, of the Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee (“watchdog committee”) of the Expenditures in the Executive Departments Committee, which made changes designed to eliminate waste in the handling of war surplus material and in military supply procurement. The papers consist of Bonner’s office files, dating from November 1940, when he succeeded Lindsay C. Warren as representative from the First North Carolina District, which included, at one time or another, 14 counties of thenortheastern corner of the state. In addition to the main chronological series, there are subject- and format-based series. The Rivers and Harbors series, 1940-1965, concerns federally-funded projects, such as channel and harbor improvements, erosion problems, dredging, etc., and the operation of the Dismal Swamp Canal. The Hoover Commission series, January-October 1950, concerns the proposed reorganization of the government that came out of the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government. The Bombing Ranges series, 1959-1965, concerns objections to having a weapons range or ranges in northeastern North Carolina. The Political series, 1959-1965, concerns the mechanics of Democratic Party organization and election campaigns. The Community Public Works Programs series, 1962-1965, concerns local public works projects that received federal funds. The National Seashore Park series, 1937-1965, concerns the establishment of a national park that spanned Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke islands, N.C. Also included are private bills, with related papers attached; scrapbooks, 1940-1965; speeches, 1940-1964; photographs, and photocopies of presidential memorabilia, some relating to the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.
Repository: Southern Historical Collection