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Oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn, 1988 June 13-15

Overview of the Collection

Interviewee
Dorn, Jennifer Lynn, 1950-
Title
Oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn
Dates
1988 June 13-15 (inclusive)
Quantity
.1 cubic feet, (7 audiocassettes (5 hr., 30 min., 14 sec.))
Collection Number
SR 1322
Summary
Oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn conducted by Clark Hansen from June 13-15, 1988, as part of the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Oral History Project. Dorn was a legislative assistant to Hatfield from 1977 to 1981.
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.
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Biographical Note

Jennifer "Jenna" Lynn Dorn was born in Nebraska in 1950, and grew up in La Grande, Oregon, and Corvallis, Oregon. She moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where she worked in advertising. She was legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield from 1977 to 1981. She and Dave Oldfield were married for a number of years; they divorced while she was serving on Hatfield's staff. She went on to hold several positions in the federal government, including associate deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation from 1985 to 1987, and then assistant secretary for policy in the U.S. Department of Labor from 1989 to 1991.

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Other Descriptive Information

Forms part of the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Oral History Project.

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Other Descriptive Information

Incomplete transcript (139 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

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Content Description

This oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn was conducted by Clark Hansen at the Union Pacific Building in Washington, D.C., from June 13-15, 1988. In this interview, Dorn discusses her family background and early life in La Grande, Oregon. She discusses moving to New Haven, Connecticut, and her involvement in the women's movement. She talks about how she joined the staff of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield in 1977; her work as a legislative assistant; and other members of Hatfield's staff, particularly Gerry Frank. She discusses legislation that she worked on for Hatfield, particularly regarding women's rights and the environment. She discusses how Hatfield communicated with his constituency, and Hatfield's efforts against budget cuts by the Reagan administration while he was serving on the Appropriations Committee. She talks about Hatfield's working relationship with U.S. Senator Bob Packwood and other members of the Oregon congressional delegation. She relates some anecdotes to demonstrate Hatfield's personality and spirituality. She also talks about leaving Hatfield's staff to work with Elizabeth Dole. She closes the interview by discussing the interpersonal relationships of Hatfield's staff.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

Audio available online in OHS Digital Collections.

Preferred Citation

Oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn, by Clark Hansen, SR 1322, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and Willamette University. Use is allowed according to the following license: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

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Administrative Information

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn
    Dates: 1988 June 13
    Container: Cassette 1-3
  • Description: Oral history interview with Jenna L. Dorn
    Dates: 1988 June 15
    Container: Cassette 4-7

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Legislation--United States
  • Women's rights--United States

Personal Names

  • Dorn, Jennifer Lynn, 1950-
  • Hatfield, Mark O., 1922-2011

Corporate Names

  • United States. Congress. Senate

Form or Genre Terms

  • interviews

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Hansen, Clark (interviewer)
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