91st Congress: Post Office - State Department, 1969-1970

Congressional office staff largely determine the status of case files versus issue files. Case files are distinguished from other Constituent Service correspondence by their appeals for intervention with specific federal agencies or programs. They often include detailed medical, social, or legal background material.

As a national political figure, Goldwater attracted requests for assistance outside of Arizona. Hence, these case files often reflect a national constituency, especially for military issues. These cases document on the ground examples of an individual's frequently troubled relationship with society and government at all levels. As of this date, these records may be the only congressional case files available in the State of Arizona.

The files generally reflect the order and original folders in which they were found. They are organized roughly by federal department or agency and by Congress. Some files are more of an informational nature and resemble files in the Projects and Programs and Constituent Issue Mail series. Note that the date on the folder may reflect when the case was begun but was later filed in the Congress when the case was closed. Thus, folder dates may span several congressional sessions. In the 91st and 92nd Congresses there is evidence of three unique filing systems used at various times and also evidence of missing folders. There are no files for the 98th Congress, 1983-1984.