Dean A. Gallo Congressional Papers

The Congressional papers of Dean Anderson Gallo document his career as a United States Representative from the 11th District in northern New Jersey (primarily Morris and western Essex counties) spanning the years from 1984 to 1994. The collection is composed of correspondence, memos, speeches, reports, press releases, appointment books and schedules, as well as printed material such as newspaper clippings, newsletters and campaign literature. Photographs, audiotapes and a large number of videotapes are also included.

Gallo's papers contain information relating to many aspects of United States public policy, especially in the areas of health care, trade (particularly those concerning small business) and the environment (especially Superfund cleanup initiatives and legislation to mandate double hulls on oil tankers). Material relating to these issues can be found in the BILLS FILES.

Additional documentation of Gallo's legislative activities can be found in BRIEFING MEMOS, among which are notes and fact sheets on current issues and pending legislation, as well as internal memos to Gallo's staff summarizing his positions and activities. The LEGISLATIVE PROFILES detail Gallo's sponsored and cosponsored bills and the VOTING RECORD ["LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY GUIDE"] summarizes Gallo's voting record from 1985 to 1993. The LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND SUMMARIES were created to be used by his three district offices and thus also provide an overview of his legislative activities. The WHIP CHECKS AND ORGANIZATIONAL LISTS date from 1987 to 1988 (the 100th Congress) and indicate which way Gallo planned to vote on particular issues.

Gallo's views on issues and specific bills are found in several locations in the collection. Various PRESS RELEASES are relevant, as are many of Gallo's CONGRESSIONAL RECORD REMARKS. Issues relating exclusively to New Jersey's 11th District are documented in the CONSTITUENT NEWSLETTERS. The CAMPAIGN FILES also contain summaries of Gallo's political concerns and positions throughout his career.

The PRESS CLIPPINGS date chiefly from the 1990s and further document Gallo's political activities and opinions. These articles are grouped together under subject headings assigned by his staff; the headings also serve to provide insight into subjects of interest to Gallo. Additional press clippings are interfiled throughout the collection.

Chiefly New Jersey-related, the PROJECT AND ISSUE FILES include documentation of some of Gallo's cosponsored measures and non-legislative activities with particular emphasis on small business concerns and health care. Other non-legislative projects that are particularly well represented are documented by the PICATINNY ARSENAL FILES that relate to Gallo's successful efforts in preventing the closure of Picatinny Arsenal (Rockaway Township, New Jersey) and the SOVIET "REFUSNIK" FILES that pertain to his attempts to assist persecuted Jewish citizens in emigrating from the Soviet Union to be reunited with their New Jersey families.

Five additional series comprise the remainder of the papers. The SPEECHES were given at various public events in Gallo's home district and often include supplemental material in the form of memos, news clippings and press releases. The TRAVEL FILES consist of documentation of Gallo's involvement in foreign affairs through his trips to Israel, Central America, the Soviet Union and South Africa. The PHOTOGRAPHS are largely from Gallo's trips to foreign countries, with Central America and Israel the most represented. Among the other events documented in this series is a 1992 tour of Superfund sites in New Jersey. Among the AUDIO AND VIDEO TAPE RECORDINGS are statements made by Gallo on the House floor and interviews, debates and appearances on television shows, including Ask Congress, Congressional Conversations and Caucus New Jersey. Some campaign promotions are also represented in this series. The BIOGRAPHICAL FILES consist solely of material about Gallo's retirement from Congress and his subsequent death from cancer in 1994.