Oral history interview with Alfred T. Goodwin, 2006 August 26

Overview of the Collection

Interviewee
Goodwin, Alfred T. (Alfred Theodore), 1923-2022
Title
Oral history interview with Alfred T. Goodwin
Dates
2006 August 26
Quantity
0.1 cubic feet, (1 videocassette (Mini-DV, 1 hr., 2 min., 59 sec.))
Collection Number
SR 11153
Summary
Oral history interview with Alfred Goodwin conducted by Michael O'Rourke on August 26, 2006, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Goodwin was a judge on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Alfred Theodore Goodwin was born in Bellingham, Washington, in 1923 and grew up in the Pacific Northwest, graduating from high school in the eastern Oregon town of Prineville. Goodwin served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, and attended the University of Oregon, earning degrees in journalism (1947) and law (1951). Goodwin was appointed to the Oregon Circuit Court for Lane County in 1955, to the Oregon Supreme Court in 1960, to the U.S. District Court in 1969, and to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1971. From 1988 to 1991, he served as the Ninth Circuit Court's chief judge. He took senior status in 1991. Judge Goodwin's professional activities have included the Oregon Constitutional Revision Commission, Alpha Tau Omega, the Oregon Bar-Press Broadcasters Committee, where he showed an interest in promoting cooperation between the bar and the media, and the American Bar Association, particularly its committees on relations between bench and bar and on legal education. His support for his alma mater, the University of Oregon, earned him several distinguished service awards. Goodwin died in 2022.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This interview with Alfred Goodwin was conducted by Michael O'Rourke at Goodwin's home in Sisters, Oregon, on August 26, 2006. In the interview, Goodwin discusses some of the topics that often come before the U.S. District Court, including immigration, fishing rights, and environmental law. He also discusses national legislation regarding terrorism; proposals to split the Ninth Circuit; technology in the court; and the War on Drugs. He closes the interview by talking about his personal life and family background.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Incomplete transcript (20 pages) available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Interview is viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.

Preferred Citation

Oral history interview with Alfred T. Goodwin, by Michael O'Rourke, SR 11153, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

Joint copyright is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. In Copyright – Educational Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Donna Sinclair, January 2008 (as Lib. Acc. 26436).

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Emigration and immigration law
  • Environmental law
  • Judges--Oregon
  • Justice, Administration of--Oregon

Personal Names

  • Goodwin, Alfred T. (Alfred Theodore), 1923-2022

Corporate Names

  • United States. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
  • United States. District Court (Oregon)

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Politics and government--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

  • interviews

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • O'Rourke, Michael (Filmmaker) (interviewer)