In the first interview session, conducted on November 24, 1992, Atiyeh discusses his family background, including their immigration to the United States from Syria in the late 19th century, the family business selling Oriental rugs in Portland, and his parents' marriage in 1921. He then discusses his early life in Portland, including his experience growing up as a Syrian American, his early education, and a trip to Syria when he was 6 years old. He also talks about his summer jobs and his memories of the Depression.

Tape 2, Side 1, through Tape 3, Side 1. In the second interview session, conducted on December 1, 1992, Atiyeh continues discussing his early life in Portland, including his experiences during high school, his involvement in sports, and his social life. He describes his memories of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and his unsuccessful attempt to enlist in the military during World War II. He talks about his experience at the University of Oregon, including his social life, his classes, and the development of his political beliefs. He describes the military service of his brothers during World War II and talks about his own service in the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve. He also talks about his marriage to Delores Hewitt in 1944, his involvement with the Boy Scouts, and raising a family in Portland. He speaks about operating Atiyeh Brothers, the family Oriental rug business.

Tape 3, Side 2, through Tape 4, Side 2. In the third interview session, conducted on December 4, 1992, Atiyeh discusses his involvement in political organizations, including the Trumpeters and the National Rifle Association. He speaks at length about his interest in gun collecting and shares his opinion regarding gun control policies. He discusses his involvement in the Republican Party and his first campaign for the Oregon Legislature in 1958. He talks about serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1959 to 1964, including interacting with his constituents, his committee assignments, and his fellow legislators. He talks about some of the House speakers he served under, the House's relationship with the Senate, and his experience as a legislator in the minority party.

Tape 5, Side 1, through Tape 6, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on December 9, 1992, Atiyeh continues discussing his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1959 to 1964, with a focus on the 1959 legislative session. He talks about his relationship with Governor Mark Hatfield, his staff, and other members of the executive branch. He discusses legislation that came up during his service in the House, particularly regarding taxes. He talks about his committee assignments, his fellow legislators, and lobbyists.

Tape 6, Side 2, through Tape 7, Side 2. In the fifth interview session, conducted on December 11, 1992, Atiyeh continues discussing his service in the Oregon House of Representatives, with a focus on the 1961 and 1963 legislative sessions. He talks about his political philosophy and principles; shares his opinion on the Republican platform; and describes the legislative voting process. He discusses legislation that came up during his service in the House, particularly regarding labor laws, and talks about his fellow legislators. He also speaks about his working relationships with Democratic legislators.

Tape 8, Side 1, through Tape 9, Side 1. In the sixth interview session, conducted on December 14, 1992, Atiyeh discusses serving in the Oregon Senate from 1965 to 1979, with a focus on the 1965 and 1967 legislative sessions. He talks about his election in 1964 and describes the differences between the Senate and the House. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation that came up during his service in the Senate, particularly regarding environmental regulations. He also talks about his relationship with Governor Tom McCall, McCall's staff, and other members of the executive branch.

Tape 9, Side 2, through Tape 10, Side 2. In the seventh interview session, conducted on December 23, 1992, Atiyeh continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate from 1965 to 1979, with a focus on the 1967 and 1969 legislative sessions. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding labor and taxation. He also discusses his experience as a member of the Oregon delegation to the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida.

Tape 11, Side 1, through Tape 12, Side 1. In the eighth interview session, conducted on December 28, 1992, Atiyeh continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate, with a focus on the 1971 legislative session. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding education and taxes. He also talks about receiving mail from his constituents. He describes the passage of the Bottle Bill in the Senate; shares his views on the Vietnam War; and talks about Oregon's mass transit projects.

Tape 12, Side 2, through Tape 13, Side 2. In the ninth interview session, conducted on January 13, 1993, Atiyeh shares his thoughts about Oregon and national politics at the time of the interview in 1993, including the election for president of the Oregon Senate, the incoming administration of President Bill Clinton, and Oregon's Ballot Measure 5. He discusses the nature of leadership and his own legacy as governor. He then continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate from 1965 to 1979, with a focus on the 1971 legislative session. He discusses legislation during his service in the Senate, particularly regarding land-use planning.

Tape 14, Side 1, through Tape 15, Side 1. In the tenth interview session, conducted on January 19, 1993, Atiyeh discusses his collection of Lewis and Clark Exposition memorabilia. He then continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate, with a focus on the 1971, 1972 interim, and 1973 legislative sessions. He talks about legislative pay, and about balancing work and family life while serving in the Legislature. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding land-use planning. He also describes his committee management style.

Tape 15, Side 2, through Tape 16, Side 2. In the eleventh interview session, conducted on January 22, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate, with a focus on the 1973 legislative session. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding taxes. He then talks about his 1974 campaign for Oregon governor and his defeat of Clay Myers in the Republican primary.

Tape 17, Side 1, through Tape 18, Side 1. In the twelfth interview session, conducted on January 25, 1993, Atiyeh talks about the Oregon Republican Party leadership at the time of the interview in 1993. He then continues discussing his 1974 campaign for Oregon governor and his loss to Bob Straub, including a trip to the White House at the invitation of President Gerald Ford. He also speaks about the labels of conservative, moderate, and liberal; and about balancing his business, family, and political life. He discusses serving in the Oregon Senate from 1965 to 1979, with a focus on the 1975 legislative session. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding nuclear power.

Tape 18, Side 2, through Tape 19, Side 2. In the thirteenth interview session, conducted on February 1, 1993, Atiyeh talks about his experience as a committeeman at the Republican National Convention in 1993. He then continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate, with a focus on the 1975 and 1977 legislative sessions. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding services for Native Americans.

Tape 20, Side 1, through Tape 21, Side 1. In the fourteenth interview session, conducted on February 4, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate, with a focus on the 1977 legislative session. He discusses his committee assignments, his fellow senators, and legislation, particularly regarding property taxes and state licensing boards.

Tape 21, Side 2, through Tape 22, Side 2. In the fifteenth interview session, conducted on February 9, 1993, Atiyeh talks about the resignation of Oregon State Senator Peg Jolin at the time of the interview in 1993. He then continues discussing serving in the Oregon Senate, with a focus on the 1977 legislative session. He talks about working with lobbyists, about his staff, and about his voting record. He reflects on his legislative career and talks about his political philosophy. He discusses his 1978 campaign for Oregon governor against Governor Bob Straub, with a focus on the Republican primary.

In the sixteenth interview session, conducted on February 15, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing his 1978 campaign for Oregon governor against incumbent Bob Straub. He talks about the Republican primary, including about running against Tom McCall, about his campaign staff, and about fundraising. He also speaks about Walter Huss as the state chair of the Republican Party. He then discusses his campaign during the general election and talks about his platform.

In the seventeenth interview session, conducted on May 12, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing his 1978 campaign for Oregon governor, and describes his experience on election night. He then discusses serving as Oregon governor from 1979 to 1987. He talks about the transition, his staff, and administration appointments.

Tape 26, Side 1, through Tape 27, Side 1. In the eighteenth interview session, conducted on May 20, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor from 1979 to 1987, with a focus on the 1979 legislative session. He continues talking about his administration appointments. He describes his philosophy of government, working with the Legislature, and the effect of the governorship on his family life. He discusses his administration's legislative agenda, including on energy and taxation; and talks about the development of the Economic Advisory Council.

Tape 27, Side 2, through Tape 28, Side 1. In the nineteenth interview session, conducted on May 21, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1979 legislative session. He discusses his administration's legislative agenda, including on pollution and taxes; talks about how the role of governor differed from his role in the Legislature; and describes his efforts to make state government more efficient. He also talks about holding regular open meetings with the public.

Tape 28, Side 2, through Tape 29, Side 2. In the twentieth interview session, conducted on May 26, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1979 legislative session. He talks about changes his administration made to the state's welfare system, and legislation that passed during his governorship, including bills regarding energy. He talks about his use of veto power and discusses several of the bills that he vetoed, including a bill regarding marijuana. He also talks about legislation that failed to pass during his governorship, including bills regarding abortion and discrimination.

In the twenty-first interview session, conducted on June 3, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1979 legislative session and the 1980 special session. He discusses legislation that failed to pass during his governorship, including a bill regarding disposable diapers. He talks about working with the Emergency Board during interim sessions, the relationship between the executive and legislative branches, and his relationships with other governors. He also talks about his relationship with President Jimmy Carter's administration and shares his thoughts about the Iranian hostage crisis. He discusses his achievements regarding environmental legislation.

Tape 32, Side 1, through Tape 33, Side 1. In the twenty-second interview session, conducted on June 7, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1979 and 1981 legislative sessions. He talks about his relationship with the press, about communicating with his constituents, and about his governing style. He discusses his administration's policies regarding energy conservation, economic development, and racism. He also talks about his relationship with President Ronald Reagan's administration.

Tape 33, Side 2, through Tape 34, Side 2. In the twenty-third interview session, conducted on June 11, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1981 legislative session and the 1982 special session. He talks about the ideological differences between Republicans and Democrats. He discusses funding the state budget and his administration's relationship with the Legislature.

Tape 35, Side 1, through Tape 36, Side 1. In the twenty-fourth interview session, conducted on June 15, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on his 1982 reelection campaign. He talks about his campaign staff, about debating his opponent, Ted Kulongoski, and about the major issues of the campaign. He also discusses the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s, the situation of Oregon's timber industry, and an investigation into the SAIF Corporation in 1982.

Tape 36, Side 2, through Tape 37, Side 1. In the twenty-fifth interview session, conducted on June 17, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on his 1982 reelection campaign. He talks about the case of Duane Samples, for whom Atiyeh considered a pardon, and other issues that arose during the campaign. He describes his goals for his second term, particularly regarding the economy and law enforcement. He also revisits the topic of his relationship with President Ronald Reagan's administration.

Tape 37, Side 2, through Tape 38, Side 2. In the twenty-sixth interview session, conducted on June 21, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing serving as Oregon governor, with a focus on his 1982 reelection campaign and the 1983 legislative session. He also talks about his relationship with President Ronald Reagan's administration and speaks about campaign funding. He describes his legislative agenda for the 1983 session, particularly regarding taxes, and talks about attending the Western Governors Conference that year.

Tape 39, Side 1, through Tape 40, Side 1. In the twenty-seventh interview session, conducted on June 23, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1983 legislative session and the 1983 and 1984 special sessions. He talks about legislation that came up during those sessions, particularly regarding consumer protections and taxes. He also discusses state funding of the arts. He then talks about Oregon's trade relationship with Japan.

Tape 40, Side 2, through Tape 41, Side 2. In the twenty-eighth interview session, conducted on June 28, 1993, Atiyeh continues discussing his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1984 special session. He talks about Oregon's trade relationship with Japan, about his family's mining claims, and about events he attended as governor. He also describes a 1984 trip to the Middle East, particularly Syria.

Tape 42, Side 1, through Tape 43, Side 1. In the twenty-ninth interview session, conducted on June 30, 1993, Atiyeh continues to describe a 1984 trip to the Middle East, particularly Syria, and talks about his meeting with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. He also discusses subsequent trips to Syria in 1985 and 1987.

Tape 43, Side 2, through Tape 44, Side 2. In the thirtieth interview session, conducted on July 7, 1993, Atiyeh continues to describe a 1984 trip to the Middle East, particularly Israel, and shares his opinion regarding the treatment of Palestinians. He then talks about Oregon's trade relationships with China, Taiwan, and Japan. He also describes a 1984 trip to China and a 1985 trip to Japan. He talks about his efforts towards Oregon's economic development.

In the thirty-first interview session, conducted on July 9, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his efforts towards Oregon's economic development and talks about how the state fared during recessions. He continues discussing his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1985 legislative session. He talks about the creation of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and about legislation regarding taxes.

Tape 46, Side 1, through Tape 47, Side 1. In the thirty-second interview session, conducted on July 15, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1985 legislative session. He continues talking about legislation regarding taxes. He discusses funding for education, the Oregon-California border dispute, and other legislation that came up during the 1985 session.

Tape 47, Side 2, through Tape 48, Side 2. In the thirty-third interview session, conducted on July 23, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on the 1985 legislative session. He talks about his relationship with labor unions. He reflects on his accomplishments as governor and compares his record to his successors Neil Goldschmidt and Barbara Roberts. He discusses legislation that came up during the 1985 session, including on the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and pollution. He also talks about the passage of Senate Bill 100 in 1975, and other land-use legislation.

Tape 49, Side 1, through Tape 50, Side 1. In the thirty-fourth interview session, conducted on July 24, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor. He speaks at length about legislation that he vetoed. He then discusses Rajneeshpuram, describes the group's takeover of the town of Antelope, and talks about their legal conflicts. He talks about his involvement with the Rajneeshees as governor, as well as the group's collapse and the arrest of its leaders. He also talks about the Oregon Investment Council.

Tape 50, Side 2, through Tape 51, Side 2. In the thirty-fifth interview session, conducted on July 28, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor. He continues to talk about the Oregon Investment Council, and discusses appointing people to various boards, councils, and commissions. He talks about working with the Washington state government on the protection of the Columbia River Gorge, transport of hazardous materials, and fish management. He revisits the topic of his trip to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan in 1985.

Tape 52, Side 1, through Tape 53, Side 1. In the thirty-sixth interview session, conducted on August 16, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor. He talks about his staff, about bringing Waseda University to Oregon, and about his use of the Oregon National Guard. He discusses his audits during his governorship; talks about the national deficit at the time of the interview in 1993; and shares his opinions as a conservative regarding social issues.

Tape 53, Side 2, through Tape 54, Side 2. In the thirty-seventh interview session, conducted on August 18, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on his final year in office in 1986. He talks about school funding; shares anecdotes about receiving police protection; and describes having dinner at the White House in 1986. He talks about nuclear waste storage, his relationship with the press, and attending governors' conferences.

Tape 55, Side 1, through Tape 56, Side 1. In the thirty-eighth interview session, conducted on August 25, 1993, Atiyeh continues to discuss his second term as Oregon governor, with a focus on his final year in office in 1986. He talks about the 1986 election for Oregon governor and discusses the transition to Neil Goldschmidt's administration. He revisits the topic of attending governors' conferences. He discusses awards he received and describes items on the walls of his office.

Tape 56, Side 2, through Tape 58, Side 1. In the thirty-ninth interview session, conducted on August 30, 1993, Atiyeh discusses Oregon politics since he left elected office in 1987. He talks about the members of Oregon's congressional delegation; speaks about Oregon business and labor leaders; and talks about members of the Oregon Legislature. He also shares his opinions about national political figures. He reflects on his accomplishments as governor.

Tape 58, Side 2, through Tape 59, Side 2. In the fortieth interview session, conducted on September 3, 1993, Atiyeh continues to reflect on his accomplishments as governor, particularly regarding his handling of the Oregon economy during the recession of the 1980s.

In the forty-first interview session, conducted on September 10, 1993, Atiyeh discusses his activities since leaving office. He talks about the state of the Republican Party at the time of the interview in 1993; discusses his involvement with the Boy Scouts, the Japan-America Society, and other organizations; and speaks about his business dealings. He talks about his children, their families, and their careers. He shares some of his favorite quotes.

In the forty-second interview session, conducted on June 11, 1998, Atiyeh reflects on his accomplishments as a legislator and as governor, particularly focusing on his efforts to diversify Oregon's economy. He discusses the Northwest Power Planning Council. He revisits the topics of his retirement activities, his business dealings, and his children. He closes the interview by talking about a 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield and his stance on gun control.