Paul Grant Rogers Papers

Collection

Identifier: Ms 087

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Rogers Papers primarily consist of legislative files, including bills sponsored by Rogers. correspondence, augmented by other materials, from Rogers' congressional terms. The collection also includes correspondence (constituents, colleagues, and relating to Florida), biographical files, political materials (particularly related to campaigns), audio and video recordings, speeches and remarks, press releases, newsletters and miscellaneous office files. A small amount of materials from his father's term in office are included (they were filed by office staff as transitional files/cases when Paul Rogers took over the office).

Some of the national and international subjects covered by the papers include: the space race and NASA, Civil Rights legislation, the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the Bay of Pigs, Cuban refugees, the Soviet Union and the arms race, serving as a conservative Democrat during the Eisenhower administration, and serving during the John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon administrations. Some of the Florida subjects covered include: re-apportionment of state and congressional districts, the decline of prominence for the Democratic Party in state politics, rescinding of the poll tax, and desegregation and the Civil Rights movement in the South.

The "Politics" series of files contains materials relating to the Democratic Party, both in Florida and nationally. The files include correspondence with party officials and Democratic office-holders regarding party and campaign issues. The group also includes materials regarding the 1960 and 1972 presidential campaigns. There are several files of materials relating to Rogers' campaigns, including correspondence, literature and ephemera from various of the campaigns.

Dates

Creation: 1955-1978

Creator

Rogers, Paul Grant, 1921- (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research. The presence of constituent mail in this collection requires mediated access. Access to constituent mail is restricted for a period of 30 years from creation. Researchers must consult with Special Collections staff before using the collection and must agree in writing to the following conditions: Congressional constituent mail is considered a type of privileged correspondence. Reproduction of constituent mail in any format is prohibited. Further, researchers using constituent mail must agree not to divulge the names or addresses of constituents or provide information that could conceivably identify constituents.

Biographical/Historical Note

Paul Grant Rogers attended Broward County public schools and graduated from the University of Florida in 1942. He served with distinction in the U.S. Army during WWII (awarded the Bronze Star), and after discharge went on to earn his law degree from the University of Florida in 1948. After completing his law degree, he practiced private law practice in West Palm Beach until 1955. That year he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a member from the Sixth Congressional District through a special election to fill the vacated seat of his father, Dwight L. Rogers. Dwight Rogers had been re-elected during the regular 1954 Congressional election, but died in office the following year.

Paul G. Rogers served as a member of Florida Congressional delegation until 1978. He was a staunch member of the conservative faction of the Southern Democratic caucus, acted as informal advisor and confidant to many state legislators (F.O. Dickenson, Stephen O'Connell, Robert L R. Sikes, Farris Bryant, etc.). Rogers was at times considered a maverick within his party, especially when he declined to endorse the 1960 Kennedy-Johnson ticket. Political advertisements and comments from opponents in various campaigns labeled him both as an conservative and an ultra-liberal. He was against many aspects of the desegregation legislation of the Johnson administration, opposed to federal action or legislation affecting the apportioning of voting districts by individual states (Florida reapportionment) and was ardently opposed to any conciliation or appeasement with any Communist state (especially Cuba). On the other hand, he consistently voted in favor of some legislation, such as funding for the National Science Foundation, that was considered by some conservatives as a type of socialism.

Extent

28.5 Linear feet (82 boxes and 3 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Congressional papers of Paul G. Rogers, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1955 to 1978.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Alternative Format Available

Digital reproductions of selected items in the Paul Grant Rogers Papers are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.