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Correspondence

The Milliken Correspondence is organized into several series and subseries. The largest is a Chronological file with subdivisions in each year for General Subjects, Departments and Commissions, Federal and Legislative Smaller series include Study Commissions, Special Letters, Petitions/Citizen's Mail, Governor's Personal Correspondence and mechanically generated Robo Mail. All of the Chronological Correspondence Files (1969-1982, Boxes 1-554, 558-572, 1538), the Study Commissions Correspondence (Boxes 558-572) and the ROBO letters (Boxes 1619-1771) have been transferred to the State of Michigan Archives.

Collection

William G. Milliken papers, 1961-1982

1000 linear feet (at Bentley Historical Library; approximate) — 700 linear feet (at Michigan State Archives; approximate)

Republican governor of Michigan, 1969-1982. Papers include governor's office correspondence, administrative and subject files, staff files, materials relating to his campaigns for governor and Republican Party affairs, and a limited amount of photographs and sound recordings.

The William G. Milliken Papers is the most important source available for the study of Michigan's state government from 1969-1982. The collection currently measures 1478 linear feet and includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, agenda and minutes, briefing books, press releases and public statements, legal briefs and decisions, legislative bills and bill analyses, clippings, and printed works that pertain to Milliken's years as governor. Half of the papers arrived at the Bentley Historical Library in December 1982, from State Record Center retirement. Another portion came directly from the Capitol Complex at the end of Milliken's term. Several hundred feet arrived in 1983 from the governor's Traverse City office. Smaller accessions related to politics and political appointments were received in the late 1980s.

Materials in the collection concern the official conduct of state government including the governor's role in legislative activity; the interface of state-federal jurisdictions; and the administration of the executive office, departments, commissions, and regional offices. The papers provide a rich resource for the study of executive response to concerns such as economic development, hazardous wastes, civil rights and affirmative action, labor, energy, minority populations, education, urban development, sex discrimination, and regional issues. As the governor remained active in the Republican party and sought election three times, the collection also includes materials on political matters. Files created by Milliken while Lieutenant Governor appear as well.

Folder

Chronological, 1969-1982

554 linear feet

General Subjects is a chronological subject file arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name that consists entirely of topical incoming citizen letters and petitions. Attached to each inquiry is the governor's or staff member's response. Access material by name (see card index system) or subject (refer to master list of headings).

The Departments and Commissions correspondence is a chronological run of records arranged by year and thereunder alphabetically by department or commission. Some headings are directly followed by files titled Director or Material. These folders contain resource material that may include correspondence, memos, budgets, annual reports, audits, minutes, press releases, reports, and printed matter. Items of this type appear most often for the earlier years and are only a fraction of the files. The bulk of the files consists of citizen complaints relevant to particular government offices.

Filing idiosyncrasies exist. In 1973 the Department of Administration became the Department of Management and Budget. It assumed responsibility for the Bureau of programs and Budget (detailed in Michigan Manual, 1973-1974, pp. 281-286). Beginning in 1976, a new folder title, Volunteers in Michigan, appears. The physical placement of this file suggests independent commission status, but it is actually a subdepartment of the Department of Management and Budget. Beginning in 1980 the Department of Highways appears as Transportation and Police as State Police.

Correspondence can be accessed by name (see card index system) or department (see master list below). Policy materials related to this sequence may be found in the Staff Files and Internal Memoranda and Correspondence series.

Federal Correspondence is comprised principally of constituent correspondence related to federal legislation or regulations. Material is arranged by subject until 1978; beginning in 1979, items are filed alphabetically by the correspondent's name. Policy materials related to this sequence may be found in the Staff Files, Internal Memoranda and Correspondence, Washington Office, and Political series. Correspondence can be accessed by name (see the card index system) or by subject for the years 1969-1978 (see master list below).

The Legislative correspondence contains constituent mail regarding pending legislation. Material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's name, with some topical headings for earlier years. Policy materials related to this sequence may be found in most other series. Access by name (see card index system) or subject (see master list below).