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Matthew J. Rinaldo papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Mss 0009

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

  • Creation: 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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Matthew J. Rinaldo, 1986 and 2003

Related Materials

Brendan Byrne papers, 1960-1982 (bulk 1973-1977), Mss 0007, in the Msgr. William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center.

Leonard Dreyfus papers, 1786-1972 (bulk 1931-1972), Mss 0001, in the Msgr. William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center.

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.

Repository Details

Part of the The Monsignor Field Archives & Special Collection Center Repository

Contact:
Archives, Walsh Library
400 South Orange Ave
South Orange NJ 07079 US
973-761-9476