Recordings of the Virginia House of Delegates Sessions, 1981-2015

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Recordings of the House of Delegates Sessions, [Site specific date]. Accession 50627. State government records collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Creator:
Virginia. House of Delegates
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Recordings of the House of Delegates Sessions, [Site specific date]. Accession 50627. State government records collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the recorded sessions of the Virginia House of Delegates. These recordings document the proceedings of the House including inaugurations, opening prayers, committees (1982-1984), and house elections, as well as the debates surrounding house bills, senate bills and joint house resolutions. These recordings also allow you to see many of Virginia's key political figures as they rise through the ranks of state politics.

To find on what date an item was discussed consult the Journals of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Call number J87 .V6 c ; J87 .V7 c ; J87 .V9 c .V7 .V9)

Biographical / historical:

The House of Delegates' predecessor, the House of Burgesses, was modeled after the House of Commons, in Parliament. The House of Burgesses existed from 1643 to 1776. The first session of the General Assembly, which took place in 1776, established the first constitution and made the House of Delegates the most powerful branch in state government. It was not until the constitution of 1851 was adopted that a more equitable balance among the branches of government was established. In the General Assembly, members of the House of Delegates and the Senate vote on legislation entered during the legislative session. Legislative bills can originate either in the House of Delegates or in the Senate, with both chambers having the ability to establish study committees. Each serves as a check upon the other to ensure a thorough debate on the merits of each bill. Currently the House of Delegates, together with the Senate, meets as the General Assembly in annual session, alternatively during thirty to sixty days. Currently there are 100 members of the House of Delegates, each representing a voting district in the Commonwealth.

Acquisition information:
This accession was created 9 November 2012.
Custodial history:

This is an artificial accession created for the use-copies of the recordings of the House of Delegates Sessions, preservation copies are filed under the accession numbers they were given upon reciept.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. Recordings
Accruals:

This is an ongoing series, the Library of Virginia will continue to receive the session recordings of the House of Delegates, future use-copies will continue to be added to accession 50627.

Physical description:
27.5 cu. ft. (88 boxes)