Morris K. Udall, 1970s. Photograph by Bob Broder.

Morris King Udall served with pride and distinction as Arizona's Congressman from District 2 from 1961-1991. Upon his retirement from public life, David Broder of the Washington Post wrote in his column:

"The legacy he left is imposing and enduring, it ranges from strip mining and Alaska wilderness legislation to the reform of archaic committee and floor procedures that congressional barons had used to conceal their arbitrary power. For a whole generation of congressmen, Udall became mentor and a model, he was special and precious to many of us."

As well as serving in the House of Representatives for three decades, Udall ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976. He became one of the most creative and productive legislators of the century. His concern for Native Americans and love of the environment resulted in numerous pieces of legislation moving through congress. He also authored important legislation on campaign reform, congressional ethics and was the first major Democrat to oppose President Johnson on the Vietnam War.

Morris K. Udall with Sen. H. F. Ashurst, 1962

Udall's sense of humor, civility and a strong bipartisan spirit led him to distinguish between political opponents and enemies. One of Udall's closest longtime friends was the rock of Republican conservatism, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. To honor his family's contributions to public service, the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, and United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution all continue the Udall's legacy to improve the American experiment.

The purpose of this exhibit is to present the papers and photographs of the Morris K. Udall Papers held by the University of Arizona Library Special Collections Department. The material in this exhibit will provide the user with an introduction to the collection as well as a sample of selected photographic images.