A 1984 re-elect Les AuCoin campaign ad published in the Portland Jewish Review describing Congressman AuCoin's legislative record of supporting Israel, the Jewish people, and refuseniks. Refuseniks were Soviet Jews who faced discriminiation and were denied permission to emigrate away from the Soviet Union by authorities.
A Dallas Morning News newspaper article clipping titled "Notes from Abroad: The road to Moscow: If it's Monday, this must be Kiev," by Mark Nelson. The article described the 11-day, trip taken by House Speaker Jim Wright and 19 other members of Congress, including US Congressman Les AuCoin, to Berlin, Madrid, and the Soviet Union in April 1987.
The journal of US Congressman Les AuCoin detailing his trip to Warsaw and Krakow, Poland; Dublin, Belfast, and Shannon, Ireland; Berlin, Germany; and Prague, Czechoslovakia roughly a year before the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in August 1990. In his journal, Congressman AuCoin details the devastation of Prague, meeting foreign leaders (including Polish President Lech Walesa, East German Prime Minister Lothar de Maiziere, and Czech Preisdent Vaclav Havel), the landscape of each country, and visiting the Reistag to find no Checkpoint Charlie or Berlin Wall. When describing the situation of Ireland admist the Northern Ireland Conflict (A.K.A. The Troubles), AuCoin stated "I never wanted to get out of a place so fast in my life -- as bad, really, as the Soviet Union. Taunting hatred, underlying evil everywhere; people/automotons walking in a daze." Reflecting on his trip overall, AuCoin stated "I leave with the feeling that 'minimalist' America is missing a bet here. Americans are idealized, not the Germans, not the Japanese, not even the Italiians, [sic] who are swarming through the place and trying to put together an economic block that would include Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, as a counter-weight to an united Germany and to leverage its on poistion. But with our popularity, a 'Marshall Plan' would give us a dominate position in a post-Cold War era that we've spent trillions of dollars of bombs and missiles one [sic]. Yet Geroge Bush talks of volunteers. They need infrastructure, they need massive chemical and toxic waste cleanup, they need coal scrubbing technoloogy, [sic] they need telecommunications, they need hotels, roads, hospitals, financial services -- and a plan to produce products."
A statement for special order regarding the refusenik situation in the Soviet Union, delivered on the US House floor by US Congressman Les AuCoin on July 20, 1982. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin advocated for the thousands of "refuseniks," or Soviet Jews of the late twentieth century who were denied visas to emigrate by the Soviet government. He specifically mentions the story of Ida Nudel, a refusenik who had been trying to leave the Soviet Union for 11 years and had "been subjected to government harassment, social ostracism, KGB arrest, and finally, imprisonment in Siberia under the harshest conditions."
The House floor remarks of US Congressman Les AuCoin regarding a "Call to Conscience" vigil on behalf of Solomon Alber, delivered on October 1, 1981. Solomon Alber and his family were among thousands of "refuseniks," or Soviet Jews of the era who were denied visas to emigrate by the Soviet government. The vigil was organized by Congressman Barnes to demonstrate the congressional concern for those oppressed by the Soviet Union.
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin given before the Rotary Club of Beaverton on January 15, 1986. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin expressed his hopes for a nuclear arms control treaty admist the Cold War. He also discussed the Star Wars program (the Strategic Defense Initiative of 1984), Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the federal budget, and the Gramm-Rudman Acts. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin on relations between the Soviet Union and the United States, given at Pacific University on February 19, 1986. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin advocated for normalized U.S.-Soviet relations and nuclear arms control admist the Cold War. He also described the Soviet way of life in depth, using statistics for comparison to the United States. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin for the Congressional Record titled "U.S. Grain Embargo a Failure," delivered on April 21, 1980. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin called the U.S. embargo on grain exports to the Soviet Union a failure. The embargo was created in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. While Congressman AuCoin agreed that the U.S. should respond to the Soviet aggression in Afghanistan, he stated how "the inconvenience our embargo has imposed on the Soviets is far less painful than the sacrifice we have inflicted on American grain producers and losses to our own economy." This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
Remarks by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin given on the U.S. House floor on March 4, 1980, regarding his disagreement with proposed legislation that called for a return to peacetime draft registration admist the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin also stated that he was not entirely against draft registration, such as during emergencies, and that he believed that women and men alike had "an equal obligation to their country" in regards to the draft. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
Opening remarks by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin before the Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee regarding House Concurrent Resolution 273. In his remarks given on March 3, 1980, Congressman AuCoin expressed his concern for H.Con.Res. 273, the proposed cancellation of the U.S.-Soviet fisheries agreement admist the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He disagreed with the Soviet aggression towards Afghanistan, though Congressman AuCoin explained how the U.S.-Soviet fisheries agreement benefited U.S. fishermen, and that if H.Con.Res. 273 were to pass "and the fishing agreement with the Soviets is cancelled, U.S.-Soviet joint ventures are also cancelled." This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin titled "Trade Speech," given sometime in early 1980. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin discussed U.S. international trade policies, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, SALT II, the Moscow Olympics, east-west trade relations, and trading with the People's Republic of China, among other trade issues. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin given at Chamber Awards Banquets on three occasions in late January 1980 in Redmond, Roseburg, and Astoria. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin discussed multiple political issues, including the U.S. economy and inflation, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Chrysler bailout of 1979. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin titled "SALT II: Toward a Balance of Terror" given on December 15, 1979, seven months after President Carter sent the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II) to the Senate for ratification. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin adovcated for SALT II and expressed concern regarding the stalling of the treaty in Congress. SALT II was a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter and the Soviet Union's leader Leonid Brezhnev. The agreement, which never went into effect, addressed issues of the SALT I treaty of 1972 and attempted to slow down the nuclear arms race. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A special order congressional speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin titled "SALT II: An Economic Battleground," given on November 14, 1979. In his speech, U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin expressed his support for SALT II. SALT II was a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter and the Soviet Union's leader Leonid Brezhnev. The agreement, which never went into effect, addressed issues of the SALT I treaty of 1972 and attempted to slow down the nuclear arms race. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin titled "Shatter the Silence, Vigil 1979" given on behalf of Solomon Alber and added to the Congressional Record. Solomon Alber and his family were among thousands of "refuseniks," or Soviet Jews of the era who were denied visas to emigrate by the Soviet government. Congressman AuCoin advocated for the Alber family, describing their plight of being outcasted in their career and social communities in the Soviet Union after they were denied emigration visas. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech given on the U.S. House floor by Congressman Les AuCoin. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin advocated for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II). SALT II was a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter and the Soviet Union's Leonid Brezhnev. The agreement, which never went into effect, addressed issues of the SALT I treaty of 1972 and attempted to slow down the nuclear arms race. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
Remarks by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin at the Whaling Moratorium Seminar in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 1979. In his remarks, Congressman AuCoin advocated for a moratorium of the commercial killing of whales, including through the sponsoring of House Concurrent Resolution 92 of the 96th Congress, which aimed to put such a moratorium in effect. He explained how Japan and the Soviet Union accounted for the vast majority of whales killed per year, with the Soviet Union primarily taking interest in whale oil. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a speech on the U.S. House floor, Congressman Les AuCoin advocated for his proposed bill to amend the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 and the Trade Act of 1974. The proposed amendment addressed trading policy with communist countries, among other trading concerns. The bill never came to a vote. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a speech on the U.S. House floor, Congressman Les AuCoin advocated for the release of Soviet dissident Anatoly Shcharansky (who later changed his named to Natan Sharansky) from a Soviet labor camp on the two year anniversary of his arrest. After the Soviet government denied Shcharansky's request to move to Israel, Shcharansky became a "refusenik" activist. He was eventually arrested by the KGB and accused of high treason, among other charges, and imprisoned at a Soviet forced labor camp. He was released by Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
Les and Susan AuCoin wearing matching sweaters with the U.S. and Soviet Union flags embroidered on them.
It originally appeared in an AuCoin family scrapbook documenting U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright's visit to Spain, the Soviet Union, and the Federal Republic of Germany in April 1987. The congressional delegation included Representative Les AuCoin and his wife Sue. Other members of congress on the trip included Tony Coelho, Dick Cheney, Jim Howard, Les Aspin, John Paul Hammerschmidt, Jim Scheuer, Lawrence Coughlin, Ralph Regula, Carrol Hubbard, Tom Downey, Norm Dicks, Wes Watkins, Mickey Leland, Steny Hoyer, Esteban Torres, and Sherwood Boehlert.
The AuCoin family loaned the scrapbook to Pacific University Archives in 2022 for digitization, and the scrapbook remains with the AuCoin family. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A photograph of traffic in Moscow.
It originally appeared in an AuCoin family scrapbook documenting U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright's visit to Spain, the Soviet Union, and the Federal Republic of Germany in April 1987. The congressional delegation included Representative Les AuCoin and his wife Sue. Other members of congress on the trip included Tony Coelho, Dick Cheney, Jim Howard, Les Aspin, John Paul Hammerschmidt, Jim Scheuer, Lawrence Coughlin, Ralph Regula, Carrol Hubbard, Tom Downey, Norm Dicks, Wes Watkins, Mickey Leland, Steny Hoyer, Esteban Torres, and Sherwood Boehlert.
The AuCoin family loaned the scrapbook to Pacific University Archives in 2022 for digitization, and the scrapbook remains with the AuCoin family. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A photograph of pedestrians on a Moscow street.
It originally appeared in an AuCoin family scrapbook documenting U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright's visit to Spain, the Soviet Union, and the Federal Republic of Germany in April 1987. The congressional delegation included Representative Les AuCoin and his wife Sue. Other members of congress on the trip included Tony Coelho, Dick Cheney, Jim Howard, Les Aspin, John Paul Hammerschmidt, Jim Scheuer, Lawrence Coughlin, Ralph Regula, Carrol Hubbard, Tom Downey, Norm Dicks, Wes Watkins, Mickey Leland, Steny Hoyer, Esteban Torres, and Sherwood Boehlert.
The AuCoin family loaned the scrapbook to Pacific University Archives in 2022 for digitization, and the scrapbook remains with the AuCoin family. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
An itinerary for Les AuCoin's trip to the Soviet Union.
It originally appeared in an AuCoin family scrapbook documenting U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright's visit to Spain, the Soviet Union, and the Federal Republic of Germany in April 1987. The congressional delegation included Representative Les AuCoin and his wife Sue. Other members of congress on the trip included Tony Coelho, Dick Cheney, Jim Howard, Les Aspin, John Paul Hammerschmidt, Jim Scheuer, Lawrence Coughlin, Ralph Regula, Carrol Hubbard, Tom Downey, Norm Dicks, Wes Watkins, Mickey Leland, Steny Hoyer, Esteban Torres, and Sherwood Boehlert.
The AuCoin family loaned the scrapbook to Pacific University Archives in 2022 for digitization, and the scrapbook remains with the AuCoin family. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A photograph of Les AuCoin speaking with two other United States congressional delegates. This appears to be at a United States congressional delegation meeting in the Soviet Union.
It originally appeared in an AuCoin family scrapbook documenting U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright's visit to Spain, the Soviet Union, and the Federal Republic of Germany in April 1987. The congressional delegation included Representative Les AuCoin and his wife Sue. Other members of congress on the trip included Tony Coelho, Dick Cheney, Jim Howard, Les Aspin, John Paul Hammerschmidt, Jim Scheuer, Lawrence Coughlin, Ralph Regula, Carrol Hubbard, Tom Downey, Norm Dicks, Wes Watkins, Mickey Leland, Steny Hoyer, Esteban Torres, and Sherwood Boehlert.
The AuCoin family loaned the scrapbook to Pacific University Archives in 2022 for digitization, and the scrapbook remains with the AuCoin family. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
