Henry S. Reuss Peace Corps Records Biographical Note Scope and Content - Archives

< Henry S. Reuss Peace Corps Records Index

HENRY S. REUSS PEACE CORPS RECORDS, 1958-1967, 1973, 1980, bulk 1960-1961

Correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, and publications documenting Reuss' proposal for a Point Four Youth Corps and public reaction to the plan, the founding of the Peace Corps (for which he drafted the authorizing legislation), the establishment of a binational Peace Corps project with West Germany, and the establishment of Peace Corps volunteer training programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Marquette University. 1.3 cubic feet. Gift of Congressman Henry S. Reuss, 1981.

Henry S. Reuss (1912-2002) was a Democrat who represented the 5th Congressional District of Wisconsin in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1955-1982. He had strong interests in international affairs and the conservation of natural resources and he opposed the tactics of Wisconsin Senator Joseph R. McCarthy (Republican) used to weed out Communist influence in United States government.

Following Reuss' proposal and the public's reaction to a Point Four Youth Corps, Reuss authored legislation to establish the Peace Corps, which was achieved in 1961. Among the emerging nations of the underdeveloped world, President Kennedy saw the Peace Corps as a means to counter revolutionary sentiments and the then widespread notions of "Yankee imperialism."

In Wisconsin, Reuss ardently supported the Wild and Scenic River Act with National Scenic River status for the Wolf River (achieved, 1968) and the restoration of federal acknowledgement of the Menominee Indian Tribe and the the Menominee Indian Reservation (achieved, 1973).

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 1, Correspondence: Includes general correspondence and that with Peace Corps officials and volunteers.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 2, Feasibility Study on Proposal: Comprised of feasibility study by the Colorado State University Research Foundation with related correspondence and publications.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 3, Legislative History of Proposal: The development of the youth corps/peace corps proposal within the United States Congress.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 4, Loyalty Oath Controversy: Remarks by Reuss on local television news program regarding a loyalty oath controversy.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 5, Meeting on Proposal: Proceedings and related correspondence of a December 20, 1960 meeting called by Reuss on the Point Four Youth Corps proposal.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 7, Pen and Transmittal Letter: The pen used by President John F. Kennedy to sign the Peace Corps Act, September 22, 1961, and a framed transmittal letter from
Lawrence F. O'Brien, September 23, 1961.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 8, Research and Background Literature on Proposal: Research and background literature on foreign aid and technical assistance that pertained to the proposal of a national youth corps/peace corps.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 10, Visits to Projects: Various visits by Reuss to Peace Corps projects worldwide.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 11, Projects in Ecuador: Water and sewerage projects in Ecuador assisted by Reuss.

Henry S. Reuss - Peace Corps Series 12, Writings by Reuss on Proposal: Articles, speeches, news releases, and other statements about the youth corps/peace corps proposal plus a typescript draft of a four-chapter manuscript, the "Story of the Peace Corps."