PA State Archives Hours, Directions, & Fees Research Topics Online Catalog Land Records

 

 

 


Manuscript Group 373
RICHARD A. SNYDER PAPERS
[ca. 1962-1984]
51 cubic feet


Richard A. Snyder (1910-1992) was elected to six consecutive terms as a Pennsylvania State Senator, commencing in 1962. A graduate of Temple University Law School, he was a staff writer for the Lancaster New Era, 1931-1942; on the staff of the Associated Press, 1934, 1935; member of the United States Army Counter-intelligence Corps 1942-1945; and practiced law with the Lancaster firm of Barley, Snyder, Cooper, and Barber. During his tenure as a state senator from 1962-1984, he was a member of the Senate Appropriatons Committee, Public Health and Welfare Committee, Education Committee, and Labor and Industry Committees and served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He also served on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Pennsylvania Public Television Network Commission.

This collection contains senatorial papers that include a subject file, 1963-1984; a special subject file pertaining to welfare, 1968-1984; the Welfare Reform Bill of 1978-1980, 1982; Senate Appropriations Committee File, 1983-1985; copies of his "Harrisburg Newsletter" mailed to his constituents; and personal records. The subject file revolves around such topical issues as abortion, crime, the environment, energy, taxation, and mass transportation. Notable items pertain to Snyder's involvement as a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; his sponsorship of studies of faculty productivity in state colleges and universityies, 1972-1984; amendments to reform the State Welfare Code, 1976, 1978-1979, 1982, and his role as an advocate for the Pennsylvania Public Television Network, 1975-1984. Snyder was involved at the district level conducting fund raising and charity work for municipal and communty organizations in Lancaster and Chester counties such as the Freemasons, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Elks Club, and American Legion. The personal papers include color and black and white photgraphs of various sizes; editorial articles written by Snyder for the Wall Street Journal and other publications, 1969-1980; and a copy of Snyder's resume.



STATE SENATE
PERSONAL PAPERS




PA State Archives Hours, Directions, & Fees Research Topics Online Catalog Land Records