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John Bragg Papers

Dates

1965-1996

Creator

Bragg, John

Summary/Abstract

The John Bragg papers cover the thirty-year (1965-1996) career of State Representative John T. Bragg. The papers, though not exhaustive, provide an interesting look at the workings of Tennessee State Government. Within the collection are letters, articles, government journals, news clippings, and a large compilation of information on state legislation.

Quantity/Physical Description

Approximately 55.5 linear feet of documents; additional published materials (booka and reports) and memorabilia

Language(s)

English

Repository

Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, (615) 898-2632

Restrictions on Access

None

Copyright

Copies of official documents among these materials are likely in the public domain. It is presumed that corporate and individual copyrights in manuscripts, photographs, and other materials have been retained by the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions

Preferred Citation

(Box Number, Folder Number), Collection Name, Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Acquisition

Both processed and, possibly, unprocessed materials were transferred from the Tennessee State Library and Archives to the Albert Gore Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University in 1997. These materials relate to Congressman Bakers time in the T

Processed By

Original processor undertermined. Some of the material was processed by the Tennessee State Library and Archives prior to its acquisition by Middle Tennessee State University.

Arrangement

These papers are divided into 19 series.

Biographical Note

Representative Bragg served the 48th District of Tennessee, which included parts of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, from 1965-1996. While in office Rep. Bragg served as Chairman of the House Finance Ways and Means Committee, Chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference, President of National Conference of State Legislators, and the Foundation for State Legislatures. He was also a member of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations; chairman of the Tennessee ACIR; president and recipient of Man of the Year award by the Tennessee Press Association. Mr. Bragg was born May 9, 1918 in Woodbury, Tennessee. He received a B.A. degree from Middle Tennessee State University and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Air Force. The Bragg Mass Communication Building at MTSU was named in his honor. He died January 31, 2004.

Scope and Content

The John Bragg papers cover the thirty-year (1965-1996) career of State Representative John T. Bragg. The papers, though not exhaustive, provide an interesting look at the workings of Tennessee State Government. Within the collection are letters, articles, government journals, news clippings, and a large compilation of information on state legislation. The collection is 55.5 linear feet contained in thirty-seven boxes, including photographs in the Bragg Photo Collection.

The papers are arranged in series as follows:

Series 1: State House and Senate Legislation (1071 folders)
The Legislation series is the largest section of the John Bragg papers. These folders contain bills, letters, and other documentation concerning important issues and developments in state government. The files are placed in numerical order by box.

Series 2: State Committees and Task Forces (64 folders)
This series contains reports, memos, and other documentation concerning state committees and task forces commissioned by the governor and other state officials. The largest section of this series is the documents on the House Finance Ways and Means Committee of which Representative Bragg was chairman. The files are placed in alphabetical order by committee.

Series 3: State Agencies, Institutions, and Commissions (121 folders)
This series is the second largest section in the John Bragg papers. Within this series are documents concerning the various departments in Tennessee State government. Each provides the reader with an idea of how each department works within the boundaries of the state government. Included in this section are documents that deal with educational institutions such as MTSU and UT. The files are placed in alphabetical order by agency or institution.

Series 4: Counties and Cities relating to District 48 (73 folders)
This series contains reports, letters, and other documentation pertaining to civic government in Rutherford and Cannon County.Included in these folders are information on the cities of Woodbury, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and LaVergne.

Series 5: Businesses and Trade Associations (38 folders)
This series contains information concerning various businesses and other organizations directly or indirectly affecting Representative John Bragg and the 48th District.

Series 6: Private Non-Profits (43 folders)
This series covers various organizations that work closely with local and state politics. These non-profit and private organizations range from community groups to state wide associations.

Series 7: Individuals (97 folders)
This series is a collection of correspondences that include many popular Tennessee politicians along with various other letters.

Series 8: Taxation (28 folders)
This series covers a range of various tax information. Within the series are articles, letters, and proposed legislation on taxation.

Series 9: National Council of State Legislatures (10 folders)
The National Council of State Legislatures is an organization that seeks to coordinate state government through continual contact between individuals within each state legislature. Covered in this series are newsletters, reports, and other documentation concerning the NCSL.

Series 10: Publications (54 folders)
This series contains various political journals, newsletters, and other reports concerning state and national politics. Also included are the Tennessee Blue Book, the Book of States and some of Representative Bragg’s personal books.

Series 11: Personal (16 folders)
This series contains personal information concerning John Bragg and other family members.

Series 12: Democratic Party (6 folders)
This series contains an assortment of documentation on issues within the Democratic Party; along with various publications and reports.

Series 13: Awards, Commendations, and Memorabilia (3 boxes)
This series consists of 4.5 linear feet of plaques, framed certificates, including framed photographs commending Rep. Bragg for his work as a state and local civil servant. Included in this series are campaign brochures, hard hats from local businesses including Nissan, and a signed record from the United State Marine Corps Band.

Series 14: State Programs and Projects (12 folders)
This series is a collection of letters and other documents on various state-run programs and other projects. These projects depend on state officials for their success; the documents provide information that proves valuable in seeking to understand the process of government in the realm of special programs.

Series 15: Federal Government (14 folders)
This series covers various federal issues including NAFTA, TVA, and Stones River Battlefield.

Series 16: Subjects (141folders)
This series consists of an assortment of letters, articles, news clippings, and various documentations on subjects that Representative Bragg dealt with either directly or indirectly during his thirty years as a Tennessee State politician.

Series 17: Campaigns (7 folders)
This series contains numerous letters, news clippings, and other documents concerning various campaigns.

Series 18: Constituent Letters (25 folders)
This series consists of a large number of letters from individuals with the 48th District to Rep. Bragg. These letters provide the reader with an idea of how state politicians received and review their letters and the importance that is placed on the concerns of the people.

Series 19: General Assembly Information (13 folders)
This series contains information on the Tennessee General Assembly, along with legislative calendars, studies, and other General Assembly articles.

Associated Materials

The photographs associated with this collection are are stored separately with the Albert Gore Research Center photographic materials.

Related Collections

None

Subject Terms

Persons/Families

Bragg, John

Organizations/Corporate Names

Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee House Finance Ways and Means Committee, National Council of State Legisltures, Tennessee Valley Authority

Places

Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Rutherford County, Tennessee; Cannon County, Tennessee; Woodbury, Tennessee; Smyrna, Tennessee; LaVergne, Tennessee; Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Subjects (General)

Business, Trade associations, Taxation, North American Free Trade Agreement, Automotive Industry, Stones River Battlefield

Occupations

Material Types

Correspondence, Journals, Newsletters, Legislative bills, Photographic images, Legislative calendars, Studies, News clippings, Commemorative items, Memorabilia

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Albert Gore Research Center

P. O. Box 193, 1301 E. Main St.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132

Main: 615-898-2632
University Archives: 615-898-5202
Director: 615-898-2633

Location

Todd Hall Suite 128

Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00AM - 4:00PM

Or by appointment

Summer Hours
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Friday
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