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Congressman Andrew P. "Andy" Ireland Papers, 1977-1993

 

Summary

Creator:
Ireland, Andrew P. "Andy", Congressman
Extent:
35.42 Linear Feet 85 standard archival containers
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The materials in the Andy Ireland Congressional papers primarily relate to the subject's career in the U.S. House of Representatives. State of Florida and National Issues, 1977-1993 series provides information on issues that faced the United States as well as the state of Florida during this time period. Contained within are documents such as bills, reports, news articles, and correspondence. The correspondence is limited to communication between Congressman Ireland and other government officials. Very little correspondence exists between Congressman Ireland and hisconstituents, with the exception of letter standards that he used to respond to various inquiries. The arrangement of the collection, wherever possible, reflects the arrangement set up by Ireland's staff. Of special note is the information in the Defense section dealing with the A-12 Avenger project and defense spending. The district section contains documents, correspondence, newsletters, and news articles relating to specific counties within the subject's congressional district. The legislation Box Folder File Name section contains bill summaries, the congressman's individual voting records, and legislative activity guides. Videos are arranged alphabetically by subject and relate to specific issues (i.e. defense), general interest, and politics. The press section contains newspaper articles denoted as either media reports or press clippings. Photographs document the subject's career in the congress. Other sections contain information about the Congressional Classroom program, Andy Ireland's I-Team, and personal invitations.

Biographical / historical:

Andrew Poysell (Andy) Ireland was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 23, 1930. His father was a prominent local businessman, and Andy attended private schools in Cincinnati as well as Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Ireland graduated with a degree in business from Yale University in 1952 and completed graduate studies at Columbia University in New York in 1954. Immediately after graduating from Columbia, Andy Ireland relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where secured employment with Barnett National Bank. At Barnett, Ireland worked in lending before getting the opportunity to travel the state as a representative of the bank, where he was able to meet many other people in Florida's business and banking communities. In the fall of 1961 he was offered a job as a senior vice-president of a bank in Fort Lauderdale. Shortly after this, he was presented with an opportunity to buy into the American National Bank in Winter Haven. He became president of the bank, and was active in the Winter Haven community. He was responsible for convincing the Boston Red Sox to use Winter Haven as their spring training home. He was elected to the Winter Haven City Commission in 1966. From 1968-70, Ireland served as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank , Jacksonville branch. In 1972 Andy Ireland ran in a special election for the Florida Senate, but was defeated in the runoff by Curtis Peterson. In 1976, U.S. Congressman James A. Haley (D-FL), of the 8th Congressional District, announced that he was retiring after serving in congress for twentythree years. Andy Ireland entered the Democratic primary for this open seat and was subsequently elected. Andy Ireland assumed office in January, 1977 and was assigned to the House International Relations Committee. He had initially been chosen to serve on the Banking Committee, but wanted to broaden his experience and not give the impression that he hadbeen elected to help banks. Ireland was a friend of House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neil, and was appointed as a Democratic Whip. In subsequent years, Congressman Ireland served on the House Armed Services Committee and House Select Committee on Intelligence. In 1984 Andy Ireland announced that he would run for reelection as a member of the Republican Party. He was a conservative Democrat and no longer felt that the party accurately reflected his views. He served the remainder of his time in congress as a Republican. In 1992, Andy Ireland decided not to seek reelection. He retired from the congress and has since worked as a consultant.

Acquisition information:
Materials were donated by Andy Ireland in 1993 to the FSC Library and stored there until they were transferred to the newly built McKay Archives in 2009.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research. Researchers must contact McKay Archives in advance for access to unprocessed born digital materials in this collection. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the SPCUA's ability to provide access to unprocessed born digital materials.

Terms of access:

The Congressman Andrew P. "Andy" Ireland Papers are owned by Florida Southern College. This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Please inquire if you have questions -archives@flsouthern.edu.

Location of this collection:
Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Lakeland
FL
33801
USA