Sandra Steele, Educational Consultant

Stetson University Library to House 26-year Political Legacy of Congressman Clay Shaw

POSTED: 11-22-2006

The duPont-Ball Library at Stetson University will be home to documents telling the story of U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr.’s 13 terms in Congress – from bills signed by presidents and the pens they used, to massive numbers of notebooks and position papers, to stacks of photographs of political legends.

The Congressman designated Stetson, his alma mater, to receive his papers after he and university officials reached agreement Monday afternoon. He graduated from the Stetson University College of Law in 1966 and earned a Business Administration undergraduate degree on the DeLand campus in 1961. Emilie Costar Shaw, his wife, is a Stetson alumna.

A Republican, Congressman Shaw lost Florida’s 22nd District seat in the Nov. 7 election. He has served South Florida since 1981. In Congress he has chaired many key committees over the years. He was instrumental in overhauling welfare in 1996 and has also led efforts to protect the Everglades.

Boxes holding the documents will begin arriving within a few weeks, duPont-Ball Library Director Betty Drees Johnson said. The boxes will be safely stored until the university can make appropriate space rearrangements next summer for a permanent home. At that time, the Stetson library staff will begin unpacking, organizing and indexing the collection, although indexing will continue for years, said Johnson.

“This will be the first major collection of papers, other than those of university officials, that we have accepted,” Johnson said. “It will be a challenge, but it’s a great opportunity for Stetson, and we look forward to working with Congressman Shaw on the project.”

Johnson said she anticipates a dedication of the congressional history once it has been properly organized, probably in spring 2008. It will be open to students and scholars exploring not only Congressman Shaw’s career, but also the many issues in which he was involved.

“We also hope that he will visit campus periodically and speak to students and others on these issues,” Johnson said.