Matthew J. Rinaldo papers
Scope and Contents
The Rinaldo Collection contains materials dating from 1972 to 1992. The collection consists of files of press releases, correspondence with other politicians, copies of a newsletter called "Report From Washington" and photographs of the Congressman and government leaders and visiting constituents from his district. The collection also contains video tapes of the Congressman's cable show "The Rinaldo Report", campaign footage, and public service announcements and audio tapes of campaign radio spots. The collection also comprises volumes of the following books: Congressional Quarterly Almanac, Journal of the House of Representatives, House Rules and Manuals, Descheler's Precedents of the House of Representatives, Matthew J. Rinaldo Legislation, Testimony before the House Select Committee on Aging, Foreign Relations of the U.S. and testimony for the Watergate Hearings.
Dates
- 1972-1992
Conditions Governing Access
This collection includes audio-visual materials. Access copies of audiotapes, audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, film reels, or other audio-visual materials may need to be ordered prior to on-site research. Please contact us to inquire about access to audio-visual materials. Photographic negatives may only be viewed with the assistance of the Archivist. Otherwise, materials are available for research at the Msgr. William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center. Advance appointments are required for the use of archival materials.
Conditions Governing Use
All materials available in this collection (unless otherwise noted) are the property of the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center and Seton Hall University, which reserves the right to limit access to or reproduction of these materials. Reproduction of materials or content is subject to United States copyright restrictions and may be subject to federal or state privacy regulations. Permission to publish exact reproductions must be obtained from the Director of the Archives and Special Collections Center.
Biographical / Historical
- September 1, 1931
- Born Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey
- 1953
- Rutgers University, Bachelor of Science
- 1959
- Seton Hall University, Master of Business Administration
- 1979
- New York University, Doctor of Public Administration
- 1963-64
- Union County Board of Freeholders
- 1967-72
- New Jersey State Senate
- 1962
- House of Representatives (12th District)
- 1974
- Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)
- 1976
- Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)
- 1978
- re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)
- 1980
- Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)
- 1982
- Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)
- 1984
- Re-elected House of Representatives (7th District)
- 1986
- Re-elected House of Representatives (7th District)
- 1988
- Re-elected House of Representatives (7th District)
- Select Committee on Aging (Ranking Mamber)
- Health and Long-Term Care Subcommittee
- Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee (Ranking Republican Member)
- Transportation and Hazardous Materials
- VFW, 'Outstanding Legislator'
- B'nai B'rith, 'Citizen of the Year'
- UNICO, 'Man of the Year'
- The Rod and Gun Club Editors of Metropolitan New York ( Award for his leading role in enactment of 200-Mile-Fishing-Limit Law)
- N.J. Catholic War Veterans, 'The Patriot Award'
- American Heart Association, 'Distinguished Service Award'
- Patrolman's Benevolent Association, 'Outstanding Citizen Award'
- Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 'Outstanding Service Award'
Matthew J. Rinaldo was elected twice to the New Jersey State Senate in 1967 and 1971. In 1972 he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in the old 12th Congressional District and won with 62 percent of the vote. He served in the House of Representatives from 1973 until 1993.
During his twenty years in the House, he served on three House Committees. He was the ranking member of the of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is among the most powerful panels in Congress, with jurisdiction over issues relating to the environment, health, energy, commerce, transportation, consumer protection, telecommunications, and the securities industry. During his 11 years on the committee he led the fight to protect the nation's natural resources and to promote economic development. Besides his seniority on the full committee, the Congressman served as the ranking Republican member on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.
In addition to serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Rinaldo was the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Aging, where he served as an advocate for the elderly. In recognition of his service in this area he was named co-chairman with Rep. Claude Pepper, D-Fla., of the 1981 White House Conference on Aging, was selected in the 1982 by the American Association of Homes for the Aging to receive its "Distinguished Service Award", and received a special award from the National Association for Home Care. In promoting the interests of senior citizens, the congressman sponsored legislation enacted into law that protects the elderly occupants of boarding homes, expands job opportunities for older workers, and strengthens the Older Americans Act, which is the center piece of the federal commitment to the elderly.
Some of the other Rinaldo measures enacted into law include legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sex or marital status in the granting of credit, and a bill that slashed regulatory costs and benefited consumers by reforming the system of registering new tire sales. He also was the moving force behind legislation denying Communist authorities the use of Radio Free Europe. Language drafted by the Congressman is now part of the law prohibiting the Export-Import Bank from making loans to countries that aid terrorists. The nation's Securities Act also bears the Rinaldo legislative imprint, having been amended to encourage growth and reduce the federal regulatory burden on small business. Congress also approved Rinaldo-sponsored bills cracking down on auto thefts and improving systems of communication between public safety agencies during an emergency. Another Rinaldo proposal enacted into law saved the State of New Jersey an estimated $20 million in federal health care funds.
After his retirement from the House in 1993, Rinaldo became the President of International CellularVision, a company located in Washington. Rinaldo also serves as the chairman of the Advanced Telecommunications Institute at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Extent
45 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Professional papers of New Jersey Congressman Matthew J. Rinaldo.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged into 10 series:
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Matthew J. Rinaldo, 1986 and 2003
Processing Information
Reprocessed and finding aid reformatted by Beth Morris, 2007-2008. Minor editing to upper-level description, creation of html finding aid, Tracy M. Jackson, 2013. Addition of "Series X. Legislation," Amanda Mita, 2015.
- Title
- Matthew J. Rinaldo papers, 1972-1992
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Beth Morris
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Rules for Archival Description
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
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Repository Details
Part of the The Monsignor Field Archives & Special Collection Center Repository
Archives, Walsh Library
400 South Orange Ave
South Orange NJ 07079 US
973-761-9476
archives@shu.edu