Series 1B. Speeches and Writings, 1984–2011

This series contains speeches and presentations, published articles and statements, testimonials before Congressional Committees and Caucuses, as well as notes from other events and meetings. There are three major topics represented by these materials: (1) the U.S. steel import crisis (2) the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and (3) corporate governance.

1. Most items concern the U.S. steel import crisis, circa 1980-2000. Curtis Barnette maintained that the drastic, costly changes the U.S. steel industry underwent to become world class producers of steel were undermined by “dumping”—or the flooding of U.S. markets with cheap steel imports—from less efficient but heavily subsidized foreign companies. As a result, industry officials filed trade cases and lobbied for stronger, strictly enforced trade remedies. In addition to international trade, many items speak to other public policy areas such as environmental regulation, healthcare, pensions, energy, and tax reform. A few items discuss the Clinton Health Plan specifically.

2. The Bethlehem Steel Corporation is another central topic. Most items contain discussion of corporate vision, strategic objectives, financial status, and/or business outlook. Two other common sub-topics are “restructuring,” which involves a streamlining process in which a corporation partially or wholly sheds unprofitable divisions, and “modernization,” which refers to the installation of state-of-the-art equipment at corporate facilities.

3. Corporate governance is yet another major topic. Several items include extended discussion on alliance-building, executive compensation plans, audit committees, corporate image, and corporate secretaries. Still other topics in this series include volunteerism and good corporate citizenship; public-private partnerships; economic development in the Lehigh Valley; commencement speeches and education generally; scouting; and memorial services.