Nevada State Library and Archives

RECORDS OF GOVERNOR MIKE O'CALLAGHAN

Index to Records

The records of Governor Mike O’Callaghan consist of 207 cubic feet of material dating from 1971-1979 with some earlier appointment files from previous governor Paul Laxalt; and 1,700 photographs.  There are no restrictions on access to this collection.  Significant topics include projects arising from federal Great Society domestic programs such as the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), Job Corps, and Manpower; binding arbitration between public employee unions and local and county governments; the Colorado River Commission, the Department Conservation and Natural Resources; the Crime, Delinquency and Corrections Commission; energy, including gasoline shortages; the Equal Rights Amendment and the Equal Rights Commission; western and national governors’ associations; and the Department of Human Resources, later known as Health, Welfare and Rehabilitation.

The Information that may be found in these records includes the following:

Agency Files may contain correspondence, memos, minutes of meetings, reports, manuals, informational flyers, state forms, proposals, studies, audit reports and papers, court records, police and institutional reports documenting activities of state agencies.

Appointments and Resume Files are used to document and reference appointments of persons by the Governor as agency directors and to boards, commissions, and similar bodies. There are also appointment certificates for notaries.  The records may contain: correspondence, resumes, letters of recommendation, notes and similar material.

Associations Files are used to reference the national or regional associations (e.g., National Governors' Association and Western Governors' Association) of which the Governor is a member or has an interest. The files may contain correspondence, committee reports, policy recommendations, notes, agendas, and similar material.

Boards and Commission Minutes Files contain copies of minutes of the boards and commissions of which the Governor serves as Chairman: the Board of Examiners; the Board of State Prison Commissioners; the State Board of Finance, etc.; and sample minutes of certain other state boards.   In addition to minutes, the files may contain agendas, exhibits, appendices, transcripts, reports, announcements, and similar material.

Correspondence Files include correspondence sent or received by the Governor or employees of his office in the performance of governmental duties. The files consist of original correspondence and copies of replies concerning: (1) constituent issues and (2) federal correspondence, i.e., congressional delegation and federal agencies. Correspondence may include: congratulation letters, invitations, thank you letters, citizen and "kid" requests, eccentric letters, alpha and reader files, staff files, memos, notes, and reports.

Extradition Files contain a copy of the application for issuance of requisition, with the action of the Governor indicated by endorsement on the executive warrant, along with one copy of the certified copies of the indictment, complaint, information and affidavits, or the judgment of conviction, or the sentence. 

Legislative Files are used as reference files for the activities of the Legislature during the session. The files may consist of copies of legislative documents (agendas, senate and assembly bills and actions, copies of Bill Draft Requests, etc.) correspondence, memos, notes position papers, reports, statistical studies, newspaper and magazine articles and similar material.

Message Files contain the original Governor's Messages to the Legislature delivered at every regular session on the condition of the State and with the recommended measures he deems expedient (Art 5 Sec 10). Also included are addresses delivered in even-numbered years. The files may consist of messages, notes, charts, graphs and similar material.

News Release Files contain copies of the news releases issued from the Governor's office and. The files consist of originals or copies of news releases, general correspondence, notes, charts, graphs, and related information.

Presentation and Speech Files contain copies of presentations and speeches delivered by the Governor or his employees in the performance of governmental duties, and are used to document public appearances, speeches and presentations. The file consists of originals or copies of speeches or presentations, and may contain notes, agendas, charts, graphs, brochures, pamphlets, information of organizations and similar material.

Proclamations Files contain the proclamations issued by the Governor. The files consist of copies of proclamations, general correspondence, requests for proclamations, memos, notes, reports and similar material.

Subject Files are used to document and reference correspondence to and from the Governor concerning national and international organizations, the federal government, local governments, plus other organizations or subjects of interest. The files may contain: correspondence, notes, informational flyers, newsletters, news articles, press clippings, photos and similar material.

Photographs consist of 1,700 images which are predominantly black and white.  The subjects include the governor, staff of various Nevada government offices,Nevada citizens and visitors, events, participants of the National Governors Conference which met at Lake Tahoe during O'Callaghan's term, and various state buildings and facilities.  An in-house database provides access to the photos.

INDEX TO RECORDS OF GOVERNOR O'CALLAGHAN