This blog was written by Mary Goolsby, Collections Services Archivist and Chet’s Scheduler Former Congressman Chet Edwards was named the W. R. Poage Distinguished Chair of Public Service in January 2012. Over the last five-and-a-half years he has had a major impact on campus as he teaches classes, speaks to student groups, consults with faculty,…
Today marks an important day in the history of the W. R. Poage Legislative Library – it’s our birthday!! 38 years ago, on September 21, 1979, friends, supporters, Baylor officials, and Mr. Poage himself were present for the dedication of our beloved Library. Since that warm fall day (we are in Texas after all) the…
On the night of July 20, 1969, an estimated 600 million people tuned in to watch American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the surface of the moon. As Armstrong stepped onto the lunar dust, his voice came through to listeners on earth, relaying a poetic message of triumph: “That’s one small step…
You might not have heard, but June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month. Throughout the month, the United States Department of Agriculture encourages consumers to eat more fresh fruits and veggies and teaches people around the nation about the benefits that come from eating healthy. It’s also a great time to think about the…
The following is an interview of Hannah Engstrom conducted by Zach Kastens. She is in her second semester of the Baylor Museum Studies masters’ program. Q: Where did you come here from? A: I was born in Minnesota and I got an undergraduate degree in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in art history and women’s studies. Q:…
This week, we here at the W.R. Poage Legislative Library have been reflecting on the long, sometimes tumultuous history of the Presidential Inauguration. You might not imagine that choosing a date to swear in the President would inspire much debate among legislators, but the forward march of progress has always necessitated discussion. In 1937 the…
The holiday season is upon us here at the W.R. Poage Legislative Library, and we’d like to wish you all hearty season’s greetings. As the semester winds down, many of our staff are looking forward to spending some quality time with their families over the winter break. In that spirit, we’ve decided to look at…
This year marks the 37th anniversary of the W. R. Poage Legislative Library. In the time since its founding, our library has continually reinvented itself. What began as a repository for “Bob” Poage’s papers and the headquarters of Baylor’s Graduate School has grown into a nationally renowned legislative center encompassing Congressional collections, state and local…
The Ninth Amendment to the Constitution reads: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. This amendment ensures that the Constitution — and by extension, the federal government — is not the final arbiter of a citizen’s rights. The framers of the…
Our friends at the Texas Collection posted a dynamite write-up on their blog earlier this week about the General Tire & Rubber Company’s plant in Waco, Texas. Their post mentions Congressman W.R. Poage’s involvement in the plant’s construction; we’re taking this opportunity to tell you more about his work. The whole process began, interestingly enough,…