Selections from the Morris K. Udall Papers

This digital collection contains photographic images and documents from the Morris K. Udall Collection at the University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections. The photographic images and documents showcase Morris K. Udall's lifetime service and achievements in Arizona and the United States. Morris was born and raised in St Johns, Arizona to a well-known family. As a child, Morris attended school and partook in farm work. Between 1930s and 1940s, Udall was very involved with athletics and academics at St Johns High School and at the University of Arizona.

During WWII, Udall was drafted and served as a soldier in the Army Air Corps. Eventually, he received an honorary discharge, obtained his airplane pilot license and law degree, and played professional basketball with Denver Nuggets. Between 1950s and 1960s, Udall established a private Tucson law firm, was elected Pima County Attorney, and joined Arizona Congressional delegation and Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. In time, Udall was elected Arizona's Congressman from District 2 and was appointed to Post Office and Civil Service Committee. Between 1970s and 1980s, Udall wrote the Postal Reform Bill, published Education of a Congressman and Too Funny To Be President. He also sponsored Federal Election Campaign Act, Food Stamp Reform Act, Strip Mining Reclamation Act, Alaska Lands Act, Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act, Nuclear Waste Management Policy Act, Arizona Wilderness Act, and Central Arizona Project.

At the height of his career, Udall ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination against Jimmy Carter. In 1990, Udall was re-elected to his 16th term in office but resigned from congress a year later because of health reasons. This collection includes photographs that capture Morris K. Udall's passion and love for flying, sports, writing, environmental and civil rights issues. The documents include campaign paraphernalia, political speeches and manuscripts, and academic awards.