University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Wisconsin Friends of Senator Muskie for President (Cudahy, Wis.).

Records, 1970-1972.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 19

.2 cubic ft. (1 small archives box)

ABSTRACT: Fragmentary records of a local group formed in 1971 in support of the presidential campaign of Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine, and coordinated by Cudahy optometrist Edward J. Tomasik. The collection includes organizational records, correspondence and memoranda, lists of poll watchers and election workers, campaign brochures and general campaign papers, official files and Tomasik's handwritten notes, photographs, and notes of a telephone campaign to enlist the support of Wisconsin's Polish American Catholic clergy.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection. (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The collection consists of fragmentary records, many of them handwritten and undated notes, of the Friends' formation, its efforts in support of Senator Muskie's campaign, and its cooperation with the Muskie for President Committee of Wisconsin. Included are correspondence and memoranda with a few letters of support of Muskie by Tomasik in his role of national vice-president of the Polish American Congress and as chairman of the "Wisconsin Plan" committee. Many of the letters are purely routine in nature, but a few give details of the group's fund-raising efforts and membership. An interesting letter of 22 March 1972 from Jo Peigzik to Dr. Tomasik outlines Piegzik's views about the campaign strategies and perceived failures of the Chicago area Muskie support group. Also noteworthy is the letter written by Mrs. Angeline Marinich and Mrs. Katherine Shultz (Jankowski), who enclosed a contribution for the Friends group even though they were elderly residents of a nursing home. With the letter are English translations and correspondence regarding its use as publicity.

Other records include office files consisting of memoranda and handwritten notes regarding "things to do," the hiring of office staff, and lists of volunteers; Muskie campaign brochures and publicity items; papers regarding the arrangements for the dinner with Senator Muskie, held in Milwaukee in 26 March 1972; the selection of 4th District Democratic caucus delegates; and notes and responses from a telephone campaign to Polish American priests throughout the state requesting their support of Muskie and assistance in promoting his campaign among their parishioners. There are also several photographs of local Muskie supporters with Stephen Muskie, taken during his visit to the Milwaukee area, and a photograph of the Senator with his mother. Also included are several photocopied newspaper clippings regarding Muskie's campaign and his opponents, mostly taken from Wisconsin newspapers.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: In mid-May 1971, a statewide committee was formed in support of the candidacy of Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1972. Several smaller groups were later organized to act for Senator Muskie on the local level; one of these was the Wisconsin Friends of Senator Muskie for President. Under the coordination of Cudahy optometrist Dr. Edward J. Tomasik, the Wisconsin Friends came into existence during the fall of 1971 to organize Muskie's support in the South Milwaukee area. Apparently the group also functioned as the Friends of Muskie committee for all Polish Americans in the state.

The Friends maintained an office in Cudahy (at times in Dr. Tomasik's office or home) and entertained Senator Muskie's son, Stephen, when he visited Milwaukee in March 1972. The group also participated with the Muskie for President Committee of Wisconsin in sponsoring a dinner with Senator Muskie and other campaign events. Despite these efforts on his behalf, Muskie finished a distant fourth in the Wisconsin primary in April. Shortly thereafter, Muskie was forced to curtail his campaign, and the 1972 Democratic nomination eventually went to Senator George McGovern.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Wisconsin Friends of Senator Muskie for President (Cudahy, Wis.). Records, 1970-1972. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 19. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Kopernik 500th Anniversary Committee of Wisconsin. Records, 1971-1978. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 20)

McGovern for President. Milwaukee (Wis.). Publications, 1972. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 10)

Tomasik, Edward J., 1921- . Papers, 1964-1975. (Milwaukee Small Collection 91)

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Cudahy (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Muskie, Edmund S.
Polish Americans--Cudahy--History.
Presidents--United States--Election--1972.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 19	BOX	FOLDER
Correspondence and Memoranda, 1971-1972, undated	1	1
Dinner with Senator Muskie, 1972	1	2
4th District Democratic Caucus Delegate Selection, 1972	1	3
Lists of Poll Watchers and Election Workers, Maps of District, 1971, undated	1	4
Marinich and Schultz Letter and Related Materials, 1972	1	5
Muskie Campaign Brochures and Other Materials, Cudahy Committee, 1972, undated	1	6
Muskie Campaign Brochures and Other Materials, General, 1971-1972, undated	1	7
Newspaper Clippings, 1970-1972	1	8
Office Files, Notes, 1971-1972	1	9
Photographs, 1972, undated	1	10
Telephone Campaign to Polish American Priests, undated	1	11