Texas State Archives to Receive Records of Outgoing Governor Rick Perry

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 • Austin, Texas • News Release

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) announced today that it will acquire the records of outgoing Governor Rick Perry. The records held within this collection document the administration of the longest-serving governor in Texas history. Included in Governor Perry’s archives are policy files, appointments, correspondence, press releases, speeches, executive orders and memoranda documenting key policy issues pertaining to the Governor’s initiatives on economic development, education, workforce investment and improved quality of life for the people of Texas.

Included in the collection are legal, legislative, budget and scheduling records spanning from Perry’s inauguration on Dec. 21, 2000 through his final day in office on January 20, 2015 that illustrate the occupancy of the outgoing governor. The collection also contains more than six terabytes of audio and video recordings and digital images documenting special events, observations, and public appearances.

"We are delighted to receive these materials into the state archives," commented TSLAC Director and Librarian, Mark Smith. "The records of Governor Perry's historic tenure represent a rich body of resources for researchers as well as the general public."

The Texas State Archives will house electronic and hard copy versions of all files transferred from the Governor’s Office and will make finding aids available for the research of these documents once they are properly stored and archived. The extensive digitization project will make available more than seven million pages of records ( consisting of upwards of eight terabytes of data ) and is expected to be completed in 2016.

More information about Governor records and other significant documents pertaining to Texas history can be found by visiting www.tsl.texas.gov or by contacting the Texas State Archives Reference Desk at reference.desk@tsl.texas.gov or by phone at 512-463-5455.