Archives West Finding Aid
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Marvin B. Durning papers, 1958-2013
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Durning, Marvin B., 1929-
- Title
- Marvin B. Durning papers
- Dates
- 1958-2013 (inclusive)19581977
- Quantity
- 22.84 cubic feet (24 boxes plus 1 oversized package)
- Collection Number
- 1997
- Summary
- Lawyer, political activist, and conservationist of Seattle, Washington
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access.
Some material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Marvin Durning, a prominent environmental attorney for much of his career, was born in New Orleans in 1929. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Oxford University (where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar), and Yale Law School, Durning and his wife, Jean, moved to Seattle in 1959. He was executive director of the Joint Committee on Urban Area Government from 1961 to 1962, and served as chairman of Citizens for Outdoor Recreation, an organization which worked for Initiative 215, the Marine Recreation Land Act. This initiative, which passed in 1964, allowed un-reclaimed gasoline taxes paid on watercraft fuel to be used to purchase marine recreation facilities. Durning was also involved with the Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, 1965-1967. He ran for state Attorney General in 1968, for governor in 1976, and for Congress in 1977. Following his loss in the congressional race, Durning worked as the chief of enforcement for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for three years, and later as an advisor for companies working for environmental clean-up worldwide. He remained active for much of his life and wrote two books, World Turned Upside Down (2007) and the self-published novel A Journey... Beyond the Baths of All the Western Stars, following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Durning died at age 84 on October 16, 2013.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Correspondence, diaries, biographical material, minutes, financial records, reports, speeches, writings, press releases, and legislative material.
Papers created Durning's political campaigns for attorney general of Washington (1968), governor of Washington (1976), and U.S. representative (1977); together with papers (1956-1965) relating to Citizens for Outdoor Recreation, a conservation organization, Initiative 215, the Marine Recreation Land Act, and other civic and political activities. Includes material relating to Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (1965-1967) and Washington State Legislature Joint Committee on Urban Area Government (1958-1962).
In 2014 additional materials similar to the above , plus records created during Durning's appointment and confirmation as Assistant Administrator for the Environment under President Carter, and files created during the writing of his novel: A Journey...Beyond the Baths of All the Western Stars (2011-2013) were added.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Organized into 3 accessions.
- Accession No. 1997-001, Marvin B. Durning papers, 1958-1977
- Accession No. 1997-002, Marvin B. Durning papers, 1965-1977
- Accession No. 1997-003, Marvin B. Durning Papers , 1953-2013
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 1997-001: Marvin B. Durning papers, 1958-1977Return to Top
Scope and Content: Correspondence, subject files, financial records relating to Joint Committee on Urban Area Government and Citizens for Outdoor Recreation
- Series 1, Joint Committee on Urban Area Government
- Series 2, Citizens for Outdoor Recreation
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
Restrictions on Use: Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Marvin Durning, 8/30/1972.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Series 1: Joint Committee on Urban Area Government |
|||
| Box | Accession | ||
| 1 | 1997-001 | General Correspondence |
1958-1962 |
| 1 | 1997-001 | Minutes |
1961-1963 |
| 1 | 1997-001 | Financial Records |
1962 |
| 1 | 1997-001 | Reports |
1960-1962 |
| 1 | 1997-001 | Speeches and Writings |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | News Releases |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | Legislation |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | List of Joint Committee Members |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | Photographs |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | Maps |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | Notes |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | News Clippings |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | Ephemera |
|
| 1 | 1997-001 | Miscellaneous |
|
Series 2: Citizens for Outdoor Recreation |
|||
| Box | Accession | ||
| 2 | 1997-001 | General Correspondence |
1962-1965 |
| 2 | 1997-001 | General Correspondence |
1963-1964 |
| 3 | 1997-001 | Minutes |
1963-1964 |
| 3 | 1997-001 | Financial Records |
1963-1964 |
| 3 | 1997-001 | Statistics |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | Reports |
1956-1964 |
| 3 | 1997-001 | Speeches and Writings |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | News Releases |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | Legislation |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | Drafts, Comments, etc. |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | Appointment Book |
1964 |
| 3 | 1997-001 | List of Delegates of Governor's Conference |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | List of Organizations and Interested
Individuals |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | Notes |
|
| 3 | 1997-001 | Subject series includes correspondence: Initiative
215 |
|
| 4 | 1997-001 | Unidentified tape recording |
|
| 4 | 1997-001 | Maps |
|
| 4 | 1997-001 | Notes |
|
| 4 | 1997-001 | Clippings |
|
| 4 | 1997-001 | Ephemera |
|
| package | |||
| OS Package | 1997-001 | Petitions and Explanatory Material |
|
Accession No. 1997-002: Marvin B. Durning papers, 1965-1977Return to Top
Scope and Content: Political campaign files, 1966-1977; records of Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.
- Series 1, Washington, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation
- Series 2, Durning for Attorney General Campaign
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
Restrictions on Use: Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Marvin Durning, 8/18/1977.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Series 1: Washington, Interagency Committee for Outdoor
Recreation |
|||
| Box | Accession | ||
| 1 | 1997-002 | Washington Agriculture Department |
|
| 1 | 1997-002 | Association of State Liaison Officers |
|
| 1 | 1997-002 | Attorney General |
|
| 1 | 1997-002 | Budget and Finance |
|
| 1-2 | 1997-002 | U.S. Interior Department Outdoor, Recreation
Bureau |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Central Budget Agency |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Clippings |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Code of Ethics |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Commerce and Economic Development
Department |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Congress |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Correspondence with General Public |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Motor Vehicles Director |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Fisheries Department |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Fund Formula/Criteria |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Game Department |
|
| 2 | 1997-002 | Governor |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Highway Department |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | HUD, GSA, and other agencies |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Legislature |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Local Agencies |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Natural Resources Department |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Other Federal Agencies |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Other State Agencies |
|
| 3 | 1997-002 | Parks and Recreation Department |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Personnel and Consultants |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Personnel |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Executed State Project Documents |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Referendum 18 |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Sample Formal Documents |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | State Finance Committee |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | State Motor Pool |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Supplies |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Thompson, Vialle and Associates |
|
| 4 | 1997-002 | Official Outdoor Recreation Plan |
1965 October |
| 5 | 1997-002 | Statewide Outdoor Recreation and Open Space
Plan |
1966 November |
| 5 | 1997-002 | "Recommended Funding" |
|
| 5-6 | 1997-002 | Marvin Durning Hearings in Various Cities |
|
Series 2: Durning for Attorney General Campaign |
|||
| Box | Accession | ||
| 6 | 1997-002 | Calendar |
1968 |
| 6 | 1997-002 | Correspondence - Media |
1968 |
| 6 | 1997-002 | Correspondence - Miscellaneous |
1968 |
Accession No. 1997-003: Marvin B. Durning Papers, 1953-2013 (bulk 1970-1989)Return to Top
Scope and Content: Durnings files, notes, correspondence from EPA materials created during Durning's appointment and confirmation as Assistant Administrator for the Environment under President Carter. campaigns, his law office and other biographical materials, speeches; Files created during the writing of his novel: A Journey...Beyond the Baths of All the Western Stars (2011-2013).
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users
Restrictions on Use: Durning's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries
Acquisition Info: Jean Durning (wife of Marvin Durning) 5/20/2014
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | Accession | ||
| 1 | 1997-003 | EPA Policy Notebooks; Major Source Enforcement; Industry
Studies |
1970-1980 |
| 2 | 1997-003 | EPA materials regarding Durning's appointment and
confirmation as Assistant Administrator for the Environment under President
Carter; Statements of Support; Ethics issues; Quailifications; Committee
Records; Resignation Letters; Senate Confirmation Hearings |
1977-1979 |
| 3 | 1997-003 | Durning's EPA Reading Files |
Oct. 1978-June 1979 |
| 4 | 1997-003 | Durning's EPA Reading Files |
July 1978-April 1979 |
| 5 | 1997-003 | Durning's EPA Reading Files |
July-August 1979 |
| 5 | 1997-003 | Personal Correspondence |
1977-1979 |
| 5 | 1997-003 | Bill to authorize investigations and enforcement;
Enforcement and response policies |
1979 |
| 6 | 1997-003 | Bar Association Records; Insurance records;
Correspondence and Statements |
1980-1999 |
| 6 | 1997-003 | Records of law office dissolution |
1998-2000 |
| 6 | 1997-003 | Minutes book; Articles of Incorporation |
1985-1986 |
| 7 | 1997-003 | Studies and writings related to various committees and
companies including Outdoor Recreation |
1980-1989 |
| 8 | 1997-003 | U.S. Navy papers; Political Campaigns and Issue
Campaigns |
1953-1989 |
| 8 | 1997-003 | Speech files; Misc. writings |
1966-1982 |
| 9 | 1997-003 | Speech Files including Forward Thrust and other regional
efforts |
1975-2003 |
| 9 | 1997-003 | Durning's completed self-published novel (A
Journey...Beyond the Baths of All the Western Stars); Drafts; Comments;
Resources |
2011-2012 |
| 9 | 1997-003 | Resources for the novel (A Journey...Beyond the Baths of
All the Western Stars) |
2011-2013 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Aquatic sports--Law and legislation--Washington (State)
- Conservation of natural resources--Washington (State)
- Elections--Washington (State)
- Governors--Election
- Governors--Washington (State)
- Metropolitan government--Washington (State)
- Municipal government--Washington (State)
- Outdoor recreation--Washington (State)
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Political activists--Washington (State)
- Public lands--Recreational use
- Public lands--Washington (State)
- Referendum--Washington (State)
Personal Names
- Durning, Marvin B., 1929- --Archives
Corporate Names
- United States. Congress. House--Elections, 1977
- Washington (State). Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government
- Washington (State)--Politics and government--1951-
Occupations
- Conservationists--Washington (State)
- Lawyers--Washington (State)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Rosellini, Albert D. (Albert Dean), 1910-2011 (creator)
- Whetzel, Jonathan F., 1927- (creator)
- Wimmer, Thomas O., 1910-1987 (creator)
Corporate Names
- Citizens for Outdoor Recreation (Wash.) (creator)
- Washington (State). Department of Game (creator)
- Washington (State). Legislature. Joint Committee on Urban Area Government (creator)
- Washington (State). Outdoor Recreation Interagency Committee (creator)
- Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (creator)
