Oral history interview with Vera M. Springer, 1990 August 9-September 20

Tape 1, Side 1 through Tape 2, Side 1. In the first interview session, conducted on August 9, 1990, Springer discusses her family background and early life on a farm north of Corvallis, Oregon, including her family's experience during the Depression. She talks about her early political beliefs, about attending business school in Portland, and about serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. She also talks about her marriage to Sam Springer. She shares her experience raising a family while attending Reed College during the late 1940s and early 1950s. She describes how she became an aide for U.S. Senator Dick Neuberger and speaks about the work she did during his 1954 campaign, including working with the press.

Tape 2, Side 2, through Tape 3, Side 1. In the second interview session, conducted on August 16, 1990, Springer continues to discuss her work for U.S. Senator Dick Neuberger during his 1954 campaign. She talks about her family life while working on the campaign, about Neuberger's position on several environmental issues, and about sending out press releases. She discusses how Dick and Maurine Neuberger worked together. She speaks about the results of the 1954 election, and about Dick Neuberger's tenure as a U.S. senator from 1955 until his death in 1960. She describes Neuberger's first offices in Washington, D.C.

Tape 3, Side 2, through Tape 4, Side 2. In the third interview session, conducted on August 23, 1990, Springer continues to discuss Dick Neuberger's work as a U.S. senator. She talks about members of his staff, including Hans Linde; discusses Neuberger's adjustment from the Oregon State Senate to the U.S. Senate; and speaks about legislation Neuberger worked on, including bills on animal cruelty and protection for Hells Canyon. She speaks extensively about her work as receptionist for the senator, and talks about her family life during the late 1950s. She shares how she became manager of Neuberger's Oregon office. She speaks in detail about the relationship that Dick and Maurine Neuberger had with their staff members.

Tape 5, Side 1, through Tape 6, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on August 30, 1990, Springer discusses managing U.S. Senator Dick Neuberger's Oregon office from 1956 to 1960. She talks about the staff at the Oregon office, and about how the Oregon and Washington, D.C., offices differed. She discusses legislation Neuberger worked on, particularly bills regarding forest management and environmental conservation; talks about his role in negotiating the Columbia River Treaty; and speaks about his relationship with U.S. Senator Wayne Morse. She also discusses the cancer treatment Neuberger underwent, beginning in 1958.

Tape 6, Side 2. In the fifth interview session, conducted on September 6, 1990, Springer continues to discuss managing U.S. Senator Dick Neuberger's Oregon office from 1956 to 1960. She speaks further about the senator's work on legislation regarding forest management and environmental conservation, particularly a bill to protect what later became the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. She talks about Dick Neuberger's death during his re-election campaign in 1960.

Tape 7, Side 1, through Tape 8, Side 2. In the sixth interview session, conducted on September 15, 1990, Springer discusses the memorial service for Dick Neuberger, and talks about Oregon Governor Mark Hatfield's appointment of Hall Stoner Lusk to Neuberger's vacant Senate seat. She discusses Maurine Neuberger's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1960, and continuing to manage the Oregon office for Maurine Neuberger during her term in the Senate from 1961 to 1966. Springer talks about legislation Maurine Neuberger worked on, shares her memories of the 1962 Columbus Day storm, and discusses Maurine Neuberger's continuation of Dick Neuberger's work on a bill to protect the Oregon Dunes area. She also talks about the senator's other legislative work, including consumer protection regulations. She speaks at length about her experience accompanying the senator on a tour of Oregon with President John F. Kennedy. She discusses legislation the senator worked on during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Tape 9, Side 1, through Tape 10, Side 1. In the seventh and final interview session, conducted on September 20, 1990, Springer discusses U.S. Senator Maurine Neuberger's position on the Vietnam War. She speaks further about the senator's bill to protect the Oregon Dunes area. She talks about Maurine Neuberger's activities after leaving the Senate in 1966, and reflects on the accomplishments of both Dick and Maurine Neuberger in the Senate, particularly in the area of environmental protection. Springer then talks about her work as a writer and editor for the Bonneville Power Administration, and about the lives and careers of her children. She closes the interview by speculating about how Dick Neuberger would feel about environmental and political issues at the time of the interview.