Speeches, 1952-2004

Speeches consist of 8 linear feet of material (8 cartons), 1952 to 2004, and are arranged chronologically within two sections: speech texts (approx. 1450 in all) and speech-related material. Speech texts include full texts of speeches, notes for speeches, speech drafts (edited and unedited), and speech memos. Hollings often spoke without a full text version in front of him. Filed throughout the speech texts are speaking invitations and event programs. Speech-related material consists of handwritten notes, reference materials, sample introductions, and quotes. Hollings and his staff used these materials to craft speeches.

The majority of speeches are from Hollings' Senate career, which began in 1966, during radio broadcasts, on the Senate floor, at Democratic conventions, on campaign stops, and at invited speaking engagements. Major topics include agriculture, textiles, oceans, tobacco, civil rights, foreign policy and Vietnam, healthcare, education, veterans' affairs and the Democratic Party. Notable early speeches include his Inaugural Address of Jan., 1959, and his final speech to the General Assembly in Jan., 1963. In this speech, then-Governor Hollings called upon the Assembly and the public to accept the court-ordered integration of the public schools and admission to Clemson University of Harvey Gantt and urged that the Assembly must 'make clear South Carolina's choice, a government of laws rather than a government of men.'

Please see the Speech Appendix for a list of every speech in date order.