Congressman Harley O. Staggers Sr. papers
Collection
Collection Number: A&M 0913
Papers of West Virginia Congressman Harley O. Staggers. The papers shed light on late twentieth-century America through documentation of the congressman's legislative efforts, committee work, ceremonial duties, and press relations. The papers include legislative files, correspondence, reports, bills, speeches, resolutions, news releases, and invitations. There are records of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, which Staggers chaired. There are also copies of bills regarding banking, broadcasting, clean air, education, finance, international relations, the judiciary, public works, and trade. (Box 68, folder 22, contains legislative material pertaining to Harpers Ferry.)
English
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Harley Orrin Staggers was born near Keyser, Mineral County, West Virginia, on August 3, 1907, to Jacob and Frances (Cumberledge) Staggers. He attended the public schools of Mineral County and graduated with an A.B. degree from Emory and Henry College in 1931. Staggers received honorary doctor of law degrees from Emory and Henry College (1953), Davis and Elkins College (1969), West Virginia University (1971), and West Virginia College (1971).
He began his career as a high school coach and teacher for two years, then became head coach at Potomac State College in Keyser for two years before serving as sheriff of Mineral County from 1937 to 1941. Staggers also served in the United States Naval Air Corps as a navigator.
He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Loyal Order of Moose, Lions, Elks, Knights of Pythias, and West Virginia Farm Bureau. Staggers was past president of the West Virginia Moose Association, and former district governor of West Virginia Lions Club.
He was married to the former Mary V. Casey, of Keyser, and was the father of six children, Margaret Ann, Mary Katherine, Frances Susan, Elizabeth Ellen, Harley O., Jr., and Daniel Casey.
Staggers was U.S. Representative from West Virginia (2nd District) from 1949-1981, and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. He also served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention from West Virginia in 1960. He died August 20, 1991. (Volume 9, No. 3, Fall/Winter 1993 of the West Virginia and Regional History Collection Newsletter includes a four page article regarding Harley O. Staggers.)
60 Linear Feet (Summary: 60 ft. (129 document cases, 5 in. each); (5 records cartons, 15 in. each))
Papers of West Virginia Congressman Harley O. Staggers. Includes legislative files, correspondence, reports, bills, speeches, resolutions, news releases, and invitations. There are records of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce which Staggers chaired. There are also copies of bills regarding banking, broadcasting, clean air, education, finance, international relations, the judiciary, public works, and trade. (Box 68, folder 22, contains legislative material pertaining to Harpers Ferry.)
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository