"Break the Iron Horseshoe"

The Victor Atiyeh Papers contain materials from his business, political, and personal activities, dating from 1923-2012, as well as collected materials and family papers predating the primary body of the collection. The bulk of the materials pertain to his campaigns for and his service in political office, particularly his two terms as Governor of Oregon, 1979-1987, and to the international consulting business he established after leaving office in 1987. Collection materials include appointment books, audiocassettes, awards, budgets, campaign materials, certificates, correspondence, directories, memoranda, memorabilia, notes, photographs, poll results, posters, press clippings, publications, receipts, reports, schedules, scrapbooks, speeches, and video tapes.

Beyond offering insight into the life and career of Atiyeh and into Oregon politics from the 1960s-1980s, the collection contains significant materials regarding issues and organizations such as the Republican Party; Oregon tax policy; Japanese-Oregon international and trade relations; Rajneeshpuram; the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation;

For more detailed information on collection contents, please see series and folder descriptions.