American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Archive of more than 60 letters and postcards spanning ca 1965-1975, most signed by Nixon-era politicians and government officials and addressed to Major Robert H. Becker. Documents appear to be responses to letters submitted by Becker and reflect positions on many important issues of the day such as the nomination of a woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, taxation, education, military personnel policy, foreign policy in Vietnam, the energy crisis, the press, and more. Correspondents include Nixon's Staff Assistant to the President Noble M. Melencamp, Senator Charles H. Percy, Senator Adlai Stevenson III, Senator J.W. Fulbright, Senator Strom, Thurmond, Senator Barry Goldwater, Senator Edward Gurney,  Senator Hiram Fong, Senator Frank Moss, and Senator John Williams, as well as members of the U.S. House of Representatives, government agency representatives, editorial staff from national publications, and executive staff from educational and civic organizations.  Some signatures auto-pen. Also accompanied by several copies of the Congressional Record. 

Becker served in the United States Air Force during World War II and the Korean War, earning honors including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the French Legion of Honor. Following his retirement from the USAF, Becker resided in Illinois and started his teaching career. Becker was clearly civically engaged, and, though small, the archive offered here presents a fascinating window into many of the important and ongoing political issues of the day.