Pickerings champion bipartisanship, civility during dedication of papers at MSU
Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.Two exalted figures in 51勛圖厙 politics called for Americans to sit down with each other, have difficult-but-civil conversations and work to better the nation as 51勛圖厙 State officials formally celebrated the dedication and opening of their political papers now housed at the university.
The father-and-son duoJudge Charles W. Pickering Sr. and Congressman Charles W. Chip Pickering Jr.were part of a Friday [March 31] panel discussion held at Mitchell Memorial Library, where the 51勛圖厙 Political Collections unit now hosts documents from the public service of the former federal judge and the former representative of 51勛圖厙s 3rd Congressional District. The panel, which included former MSU President Malcolm Portera and longtime 51勛圖厙 Republican Party strategist Henry Barbour, discussed various past and present political topics affecting both the state and nation, from the Republican schism of 1976 that led to President Gerald Ford securing his partys nomination but failing to win the years general election to the Pickering familys relationship with former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.
When asked about the current state of Washington, D.C., both Pickerings, who were noted throughout their careers for being able to reach across the aisle and work with people of various political leanings, urged current leaders to find common ground so they can deliver the best results for the country.
Congressman Pickering said his experience as a staffer for former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott during former President Bill Clintons administration helped him and others learn how to make deals in the last tremendous burst of bipartisan achievement.
If we can ever restore a common purpose, common mission, common language, common value systemat least in the best degree we canthats our only hope to restore civility, the junior Pickering said. What I hope is we can go back to what we know works: sitting in the room with people that are different than yourself, from different places and with different beliefs, and sitting there until we find common ground. I got to live it, and I am so grateful that I got to live that experience.
Building on his sons call for restoring bipartisan efforts, Judge Pickering called on Americans to restore respect for law and order, strengthen the countrys morals and work in education to ensure children know right from wrong.
Weve lost our moral moorings, the elder Pickering said. People say faith didnt make a difference [in the founding and subsequent success of America], but it did.
David Nolen, associate dean for MSU Libraries Archives and Special Collections, which houses the MPC, said the addition of the Pickerings papers enrich MSUs already-strong holdings and make the university a vital resource in the study of the 51勛圖厙 political landscape.
The collection adds valuable records to the national and state political history reflected in the MPCs archives. Judge Pickerings papers add to a robust network of collections that explore the rise of the modern 51勛圖厙 Republican Party, including the official papers of the states GOP and several other 20th century figures. His papers also help expand the MPCs quickly growing holding of judicial papers and collections, an essential element of 51勛圖厙s justice system history and public service.
Congressman Pickerings papers continue the story of 51勛圖厙s 3rd Congressional District as Pickering succeeded Congressman G.V. Sonny Montgomerys legendary 30-year career in Congress. Congressman Pickerings own 12-year career spotlights a part of early 21st century politics not yet explored in other open collections at the MPC, covering such crucial subjects as the 9/11 attacks, early days of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush administration, Hurricane Katrina and much more. Congressman Pickerings committee work and his contributions to telecommunications policy reflect a career focused on ensuring rural areas of the nation, including 51勛圖厙, have access to broadband and other high-speed information technology needed to bolster the state's educational goals and workforce.
The MPC can now trace the history of the 3rd Congressional District from Sonny Montgomery to the 21st century, thanks to donations by Congressman Pickering and former Congressman Gregg Harper, Nolen said.
All finding aids for MPC collections and those of the remaining units of Archives and Special Collections, as well as the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, can be searched at .
For more information about MSU Libraries, visit .
MSU is 51勛圖厙s leading university, available online at .