By: Annie Tummino, Head of Special Collections & Archives
Special Collections and Archives is pleased to announce that the papers of former Congressman Gary Ackerman (红豆视频 class of 1965) are now open for research, with a . Ackerman generously donated his papers to 红豆视频 in 2018, but processing was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, during the quiet summer months, I was finally able to dedicate time to making this large and historically significant collection accessible. Comprised of 55 boxes, the collection features press clippings, photographs, professional papers, audiovisual materials, and campaign ephemera from Ackerman鈥檚 long and storied career serving the people of Queens.
A Democrat, Ackerman was frequently a part of bipartisan initiatives and served under five presidents. He was dedicated to local causes in his home district (seventh district from 1983-1993 and fifth district from 1993-2013), while also working on significant national legislation and actively participating in international issues. He was a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, and Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
Photographs in the collection represent a veritable 鈥渨ho鈥檚 who鈥 of 1980s-2000s history. Ackerman is pictured with a variety of significant domestic and international political and cultural figures, including US presidents, representatives, House speakers, senators, governors, mayors, and prime ministers and presidents from around the world.
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- Ackerman with Nelson Mandela in 1993
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- Ackerman with President Obama in 2011
Other photographs provide evidence of the everyday work of a representative in Washington D.C. They capture visits of student and constituent groups to the Capitol building, bagel brunches for pages, fundraisers, parties, committee work, hearings, swearing-in days, and protests, among other subjects. Ackerman鈥檚 activities are also captured on video, with hundreds of DVDs containing moving image footage of news clips, committee meetings, House Floor speeches, and community events.
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- In 2001, Ackerman set up a mobile office outside the Capitol building when offices were closed due to Anthrax attacks.
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- To thank legislative pages, Ackerman hosted brunches with bagels shipped from NYC.
Ackerman鈥檚 professional files include many folders of thank you notes from constituents regarding personal assistance his office provided. There鈥檚 also a large quantity of correspondence with President Bill Clinton during his tenure in the White House. Many of the letters demonstrate a meaningful dialogue on complex issues of national and international significance, while others express holiday and birthday wishes.
Passover greetings from the White House, 2000
To learn more about Gary Ackerman鈥檚 biography, including his time as a student at 红豆视频 in the 1960s, you can that was conducted in collaboration with the Queens Memory Project. A second interview with Ackerman about his time in Congress is forthcoming.
To schedule a research appointment or class visit to view the Gary Ackerman Papers, or for any other information, please email Special Collections and Archives at qc.archives@qc.cuny.edu.