Tom Lewis Congressional Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0647

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Tom Lewis Congressional Papers date from 1981-1995 and primarily cover his service as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives as a representative from Flroida's 12th and 16th districts from 1983-1995. They include campaign files, legislative files, speeches, correspondence, appropriations files, newsletters, press releases, and voting records. Key areas covered in the records include legislation and issues related to Transportation, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Ports and Inlets, Narcotics, Interior Appropriations, Immigration, Housing Activities, Healthcare, Child Safety, the Big Cypress Addition, Beach and Shore Protection, and Agriculture.

Dates

Creation: 1981 - 1995

Creator

Lewis, Tom, 1924-2003. (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Thomas F. Lewis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 26, 1924. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a gunner aboard a B-25 bomber and continued to serve in the Korean War, being discharged at the rank of master sergeant in 1954. He attended Palm Beach Junior College, and graduated from the University of Florida with a business degree in 1959.

For seventeen years, he served as an executive with the aircraft company Pratt and Whitney and engaged in real estate investment work. He entered politics in 1964, when he was elected councilman and mayor of North Palm Beach. In 1972 he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served four terms, and to the Florida Senate in 1980.

In 1982, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 12th district (later the 16th district after redistricting in 1990), defeating Apollo 15 astronaut Alfred Worden in the Republican primary. He won reelection five times before retiring in 1994. Lewis died on August 1, 2003.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (6 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Records, campaign files, legislative files, speeches, correspondence, appropriations files, newsletters, press releases, and voting records for Republican Congressman from Florida, Tom Lewis.

Location

Please note that this collection is housed in the Auxiliary Library Facility off campus and will require advance notice for timely retrieval. Please contact the Special and Area Studies Collections department prior to your visit.