Title: Wisconsin. Governor (1979-1983: Dreyfus): Press Conferences of Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus
Inclusive Dates: 1979-1982

Creator:

• Wisconsin. Governor (1979-1983: Dreyfus)

Call Number: Audio 1040A

Quantity: 180 tape recordings

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Sound recordings, 1979-1982, of press releases delivered by Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-audi01040a

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During Dreyfus' term of office, he attempted to meet with the press at least once a week in order to promote his concept of an “open” administration. His public information staff avoided issuing press releases, preferring instead to hold weekly press conferences in Madison and Milwaukee. Dreyfus customarily opened his press conferences with a brief statement and then took questions from reporters. The conference was ended by a staff member who thanked the Governor for his time. While traveling or on vacation, the Governor took questions from the press during telephone conference calls. Most press conferences lasted approximately 30 minutes and ranged broadly in subject matter. Tape recordings were made by Dreyfus' staff of almost all of his press conferences from those shortly after his inauguration to his final one in December 1982. Staff members (occasionally 2 or 3) made notes during each recording and keyed those notes to numbers from the tape recorder's counter (presumably a Marantz Superscope). Using those notes, staff members then made taped excerpts which were played on the Governor's call-in Actuality Line. Dreyfus “watchers” from the Assembly and Senate Democratic Caucuses attended most press conferences, made their own tape recordings and wrote abstracts which they then distributed to caucus members. Bill McClenahan did most of the work for the Assembly, with Julia Sherman performing the same function in the Senate. Republican caucuses were not as active in documenting press conferences and did not retain any of the records that were made.

For a biography of Governor Lee Dreyfus, see the Wisconsin Blue Book 1981-1982.

This series consists of 180 cassette tapes of varying lengths arranged chronologically. It also includes recording notes made by Dreyfus staffers on 142 tapes, 118 abstracts prepared by the Assembly Democratic Caucus (the abstracts were called alternately “LSD Meets the Press” and “The Vest Meets the Press”), and 32 abstracts prepared by State Historical Society of Wisconsin (SHSW) staff during mastering of the tapes. The SHSW abstracts cover tapes not notated by Dreyfus staffers, but duplicate some Caucus abstracts because the latter were not acquired until after most of the tape mastering had been completed.

There are five incomplete indexes for this collection:

Indexes

1. The most extensive, although not easily accessed, collection of abstracts were created by the Assembly Democratic Caucus. Although these are frequently couched in partisan terms, they provide the most complete coverage of Dreyfus' press conferences. They are arranged chronologically by the date of each conference.
2. A Topic Index (Series 2104) created by Dreyfus' staff covers 62 press conferences from October 1980 to July 1982. Subject headings (such as “Agriculture,” “Health and Social Services,” et cetera) are arranged alphabetically with specific topics under them keyed to counter locations on individual tapes.
   Note: Missing as of August 5, 2010.
3. Approximately 57 press conferences conducted between January 15, 1981 and March 18, 1982 were indexed by the Assembly Democratic Caucus (Series 2105). Subject headings, arranged alphabetically, are keyed to individual tapes by the date of the press conference. No reference is made to specific locations of subjects on individual tapes.
   Note: Missing as of August 5, 2010.
4. During preservation mastering, 32 tapes were abstracted by SHSW staff. Tapes which had no accompanying notes made by Dreyfus staffers were selected for abstracting. For each tape, the subjects are listed in the order in which they were discussed by Dreyfus.
5. 142 sets of recording notes created by Dreyfus staffers have been arranged chronologically. Because the notes were written hastily and by several different staff members, they are not always legible nor complete. Topic headings are indicated in a majority of the notes. However, some list only the first few words of significant passages.

Index to Press Conferences and Speeches, October 1980 to July 1982. Prepared by Dreyfus staff (Series 2104).

Index to Press Conferences, January 15, 1981 to March 18, 1982. Prepared by Assembly Democratic Caucus (Series 2105).

Acquisition Information

Accession Number: 1983/125

Processing Information

Processed by David Mandel, November 1983.

1040A/1	, 1978 December 8: Martin Schreiber Press Conference - Special Session Note: Abstract
1040A/1 (continued)	, 1978 December 10: Commencement - University of Wisconsin
1040A/2	1979 December 19: TV 6 - “Roots:” (1) Barry Judge, (2) Carl, (3) Earl
1040A/3	1979 February 19 Note: Abstract
1040A/4	1979 February 26 Note: Abstract
1040A/5	1979 March 5 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/5 (continued)	1979 March 8 Note: Side 2 of 1979 March 7 Rice Lake Speech (1039A/9)
1040A/6	1979 March 11
1040A/7	1979 March 15 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/8	1979 March 19 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/9	1979 March 22 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/10	1979 March 26 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/11	1979 March 29 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/12	1979 April 2 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/13	1979 April 5 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/14	1979 April 9 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/15	1979 April 12 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/16	1979 April 16 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/17	1979 April 19 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/18	1979 April 23 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/19	1979 April 26 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/20	1979 May 3 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/21	1979 May 6 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/22	, 1979 May 10: Stevens Point - Jackamonis Note: Abstract
1040A/23	1979 May 14 Note: Abstract
1040A/24	1979 May 17 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/25	1979 May 21 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/26	1979 May 24 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/27	1979 May 31 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/28	1979 June 7 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/29	1979 June 11 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/30	1979 June 14 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/31	, 1979 June 15: Truckers Strike Note: Abstract
1040A/32	1979 June 18 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/33	, 1979 June 19: Channel 36 Note: Abstract
1040A/34	, 1979 June 21: Truckers Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/35	1979 July 12 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/36	1979 July 16 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/37	1979 July 19 Note: Abstract
1040A/38	1979 July 26 Note: Abstract
1040A/39	1979 August 2 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/40	1979 August 9 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/41	1979 August 23 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/42	1979 August 30 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/43	1979 September 6 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/44	1979 September 13 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/45	1979 September 13 Note: Abstract
1040A/46	1979 September 20 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/47	1979 September 27 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/48	1979 October 4 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/49	1979 October 11 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/50	1979 October 18 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/51	, 1979 October 27: In Milwaukee via Telephone Note: Recording Notes
1040A/51 (continued)	1979 October 29: Speech, Wisconsin Tourism Association Note: Side 2 of 1979 October 29 (1039A/26)
1040A/52	1979 November 1 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/53	1979 November 15 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/54	1979 November 16: From Washington, D.C. Note: Abstract
1040A/55	, 1979 November 20: With Musolf and Lindner Note: Abstract
1040A/56	1979 November 29 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/57	1979 December 6 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/58	1979 December 13 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/59	, 1979 December 17: From Milwaukee Note: Abstract
1040A/60	1979 December 20 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/61	1980 January 3 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/62	1980 January 10 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/63	, 1980 January 11: National Guard Note: Recording Notes
1040A/64	1980 January 17 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/65	, 1980 January 18: From Milwaukee Note: Recording Notes
1040A/66	1980 January 24 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/67	1980 February 7 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/68	1980 February 14 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/69	1980 February 15 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/70	1980 February 21 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/71	1980 February 28 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/72	1980 March 6 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/73	1980 March 20 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/74	1980 March 27 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/75	, 1980 March 28: From Milwaukee via Telephone Note: Recording Notes
1040A/76	1980 April 3 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/77	1980 April 24 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/78	1980 April 29 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/79	1980 May 1 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/80	1980 May 15 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/81	, 1980 May 20: From Milwaukee Note: Recording Notes
1040A/82	1980 May 22 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/83	1980 May 29 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/84	1980 June 5 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/85	1980 June 12 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/86	, 1980 June 18: Cubans -- Who Pays? Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/87	1980 June 26 Note: Abstract
1040A/88	1980 July 10 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/89	1980 July 24 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/90	1980 July 31 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/91	1980 August 7 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/92	1980 August 14 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/93	1980 August 21 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/94	1980 August 28 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/95	, 1980 September 2: Fort McCoy Task Force Note: Abstract
1040A/96	1980 September 4 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/97	, 1980 September 8: Response to White House sending additional troops to Fort McCoy Note: Abstract
1040A/98	, 1980 September 17: Department of Transportation - Lowell Jackson Note: Abstract
1040A/99	1980 October 2 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/100	1980 October 4 Note: Abstract
1040A/101	1980 October 9 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/102	, 1980 October 14: Lindner , 1979-1980 Budget Note: Abstract
1040A/103	, 1980 October 16: From Milwaukee Note: Recording Notes
1040A/104	1980 October 24 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/105	1980 October 30 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/106	1980 November 13 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/107	, 1980 November 25: Shoplifting (with La Follette) Note: Recording Notes
1040A/108	1980 December 11 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/109	, 1980 December 12: National Guard Note: Abstract
1040A/110	1980 December 18 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/111	1981 January 8 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/112	1981 January 15 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/113	, 1981 January 23: From Milwaukee Note: Recording Notes
1040A/114	1981 January 28 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/115	1981 February 5 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/116	, 1981 February 11: La Crosse Press Conference Veto Message Note: Recording Notes
1040A/117	, 1981 February 11: Veto Message Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/118	1981 February 12 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/119	, 1981 February 13: From Milwaukee Note: Recording Notes
1040A/120	, 1981 February 19: Reaction to Reagan Economic Address Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/121	1981 March 5 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/122	, 1981 March 11: In Milwaukee at Marquette University Note Recording Notes Other side Dreyfus from Japan Trade Mission, 1979 November 7 - this side blank.
1040A/123	1981 March 12 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/124	1981 March 26 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/125	1981 April 2 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/126	1981 April 9 Note: Abstract
1040A/127	1981 April 23 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/128	1981 May 7 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/129	, 1981 May 11: Budget Session Press Conference Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/130	1981 May 14 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/131	1981 May 22 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/132	1981 May 28 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/132 (continued)	, 1981 May 29: La Crosse Conservation Congress Speech Note: On Side 2 of 1981 May 29 (1039A/115)
1040A/133	1981 June 4 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/134	1981 June 11 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/135	1981 June 18 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/136	1981 June 25 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/136 (continued)	1981 June 26
1040A/137	1981 July 16 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/138	1981 July 23 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/139	1981 July 30 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/140	1981 August 6 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/141	1981 August 13 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/142	1981 August 20 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/143	1981 August 27 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/144	1981 September 17 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/145	1981 September 24 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/146	1981 October 1 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/147	1981 October 8 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/148	1981 October 15 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/149	1981 October 29 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/150	1981 November 5 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/151	1981 November 12 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/152	1981 November 19 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/153	, 1981 November 25: Signing of Budget Readjustment Bill
1040A/154	1981 December 17 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/155	1982 January 14 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/156	1982 January 21 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/157	1982 January 28 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/158	1982 February 4 Note: Abstract
1040A/159	1982 February 11 Note: Abstract
1040A/160	1982 February 18 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/161	1982 February 25 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/162	1982 March 11 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/163	1982 March 18 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/164	1982 March 25 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/165	1982 April 1 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/166	1982 April 8 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/167	1982 April 15 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/168	1982 April 22 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/169	1982 May 13 Note: Abstract and Recording Notes
1040A/170	1982 May 20 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/171	, 1982 June 28: Regarding Editorial - Informal Press Conference from Door County
1040A/172	1982 July 8
1040A/173	, 1982 July 22: Ethics decision - telephone press conference Note: Abstract
1040A/174	, 1982 July 22: Ethics - Sentry Insurance Note: Abstract
1040A/175	1982 August 5 Note: Recording Notes
1040A/176	1982 August 19 Note: Abstract
1040A/177	1982 September 2 Note: Abstract
1040A/178	, 1982 October 18: Wisconsin - Heilongjiang Friendship Agreement Note: Abstract
1040A/179	, 1982 October 22: Milwaukee Channel County News Note: Abstract
1040A/180	, 1982 December 23: Final Press Conference Note: Abstract