Skip to main content

Photograph of Victor Atiyeh, circa 1992

 Item — Folder: SR1135

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This oral history interview with Victor Atiyeh was conducted by Clark Hansen at Atiyeh’s office in Portland, Oregon, from November 24, 1992, to September 10, 1993, and on June 11, 1998. The interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series, which was a series of interviews conducted with people involved in Oregon government. The interview was conducted in forty-two sessions.

In sessions 1 and 2, Atiyeh discusses his family background and early life, including his Syrian heritage and his education, as well as his marriage to Delores Hewitt. In sessions 3 through 5, Atiyeh discusses his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1959 to 1964. In sessions 6 through 15, he discusses his service in the Oregon Senate from 1965 to 1979, and his 1974 campaign for governor. In sessions 16 and 17, he discusses his 1978 campaign for Oregon governor. In sessions 18 through 23, he discusses his first term as governor from 1979 to 1982. In sessions 24 through 26, he talks about his 1982 re-election campaign. In sessions 27 through 38, he discusses his second term as governor, from 1983 to 1987. In sessions 39 through 42, he reflects on his achievements as governor, and discusses Republican politics since he left elected office. In some interview sessions, Atiyeh refers to people with intellectual disabilities using language that was once used in a medical context and is now pejorative.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1992

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: .2 Cubic Feet (64 audiocassettes (62 hr., 21 min., 10 sec.) + transcript (1699 pages) + 1 photograph (color))

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240