This oral history with Charles E. (Chuck) Ludlam covers his public service career, from his first summer internship on the Hill with the Standford in Government Program in 1965, through his retirement in 2005. Ludlam discusses his work on a wide variety of legislation and issues including the creation of the Office of Senate Legal Counsel in 1978. He recounts some colorful tales, and provides background on Senators Jim Abourezk, Phillip Hart, Robert Byrd, Jim Allen, Dale Bumpers, and Joseph Lieberman; Congressmen Burt Talcott, Glen Lipscomb, and Gillis Long, and Senate Parliamentarian Murray Zweben. This history highlights the crucial role of dozens of senior Capitol Hill staff. The oral history provides insights into the lifestyle, skills, and tactics of a senior Capitol Hill staffer who has fought in the political trenches over a 40-year period.
Scholarly citation: "Chuck Ludlam: Counsel to the Subcommittee on Administrative Practice and Subcommittee on Separation of Powers, Senate Judiciary Committee (1975–1979), Legal Counsel to the Joint Economic Committee (1982–1985), Chief Tax Counsel to the Senate Small Business Committee (1985–1993), Counsel to Senator Joseph Lieberman (2001–2005),” Oral History Interviews, December 2, 10, 2003 and October 18, 20, 2004, Senate Historical Office, Washington, D.C.
Disclaimer: The Senate Historical Office has a strong commitment to oral history as an important part of its efforts to document institutional change over time. Oral histories are a natural component to historical research and enhance the archival holdings of the Senate and its members. Oral histories represent the personal recollections and opinions of the interviewees, however, and should not be considered as the official views or opinions of the U.S. Senate, of the Senate Historical Office, or of other senators and/or staff members. The transcripts of these oral histories are made available by the Senate Historical Office as a public service.
