Sub-Series VIII: Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 70 and 71,, 1977-1982.

At some point in mid-1977, HAW's office implemented the Correspondence Management System (CMS), which replaced the term "legislative correspondence" with "issue correspondence." Within CMS, issue correspondence was further categorized by HAW's staff into one of five "type" codes. Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 70 and 71 includes two of these types and includes correspondence received by HAW on legislative matters from constituents and others from 1977 until the end of HAW's tenure in the Senate in March 1982. Please see Appendix B for a description of CMS, its correspondence coding structure, and other considerations integral to understanding the Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 70 and 71 sub-series.

Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 70 and 71 contains subject material very similar to the Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 50, 51, and 66 sub-series, which covers the same date range (1977-1982). Similar to correspondence coded 50, 51, and 66, much correspondence coded 70 and 71 appears to have been answered with standardized responses. However, most of the correspondence coded 70 and 71 appears to have received individualized responses, and was filed separately by HAW's staff. The individualized responses were often the result of multiple topics being addressed in a single piece of incoming correspondence. The individualized responses also appear to be the result, in many cases, of more specific issues being raised in the constituent correspondence, thereby leading to referral to Federal and state departmental agencies for resolutions.

Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 70 and 71 primarily includes incoming constituent correspondence, as well as that from Federal, state, and municipal government officials. A small amount of correspondence from other legislators is in the sub-series. For outgoing responses, the files include either a CMS work order indicating the standard text number used in the response or a carbon copy of the response.

There is substantial overlap between this sub-series and Issue Correspondence: CMS Types 50, 51, and 66 in terms of the major issues represented. The two domestic issues that dominate the correspondence are the economy and energy. Inflation, tax reform, and government spending are represented throughout the sub-series. Energy issues such as gasoline shortages and rationing, rising fuel prices, nuclear power, alcohol fuels, alternative energy, and the extent of regulation of the energy industries are found in large volumes. Domestic issues affecting senior citizens make up a significant portion of the sub-series; these topics include Social Security, Medicare, and the rising cost of living. Government regulations, particularly those of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) as they impact the trucking industry, are well represented. Correspondence concerning civil service, veterans affairs, and welfare are also found in large numbers. Rising imports affecting the steel, leather-hide, and various other industries are found in the sub-series.

International relations issues, especially the Panama Canal Treaty, the Middle East, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II), Rhodesia-Zimbabwe, the Iranian Hostage Crisis, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan are all well represented. Related national defense issues, particularly defense spending and President Carter's call for draft registration, are found in significant numbers.

Environmental issues, especially wilderness conservation in Alaska, are found throughout the sub-series. Animal welfare issues, in particular the ban of steel-jaw leg traps, are well represented.

The sub-series is also rich in New Jersey related matters. This includes the preservation of the Pine Barrens, soil conservation, federal revenue sharing, the establishment of a VHF television station in NJ, and the preservation of the Delaware River Basin / Tocks Island.