Stony Brook University Libraries recently welcomed the family of former U.S. Senator Jacob Javits for a private viewing of the Senator Jacob K. Javits Collection, housed in the university’s Special Collections and University Archive. The visit comes after the Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation donated $1 million earlier this year to establish the libraries’ largest endowment. This fund is intended to preserve, promote, and improve access to Senator Javits’ archival materials.
The new endowment will be bolstered by both New York State’s endowment match program and the Simons Infinity Investment Match Challenge, which together are expected to triple the financial impact of the gift.
During their visit, members of the Javits family were joined by representatives from the Javits Foundation Board, elected officials, and other associates for a tour that included not only a viewing of archival materials but also Senator Javits’ desk, which was recently given to Stony Brook. Guests also toured the renovated Javits Lecture Hall on West Campus, where they saw a kiosk and digital exhibition about Senator Javits using material from Stony Brook’s collection.
A panel discussion focusing on Senator Javits’ life and legacy was held as part of the event. Panelists included New York State Assemblyman Edward Ra (R-Franklin Square), Reed Howard from Future Caucus, and Jud Sommer, who served as executive assistant to Senator Javits. The session was moderated by Associate Professor Reuben Kline.
Senator Jacob Javits had a political career spanning 34 years in public office: he served in the U.S. Senate from 1957 to 1981, as New York Attorney General from 1955 to 1957, and in the House of Representatives from 1947 to 1954. He maintained ties with Stony Brook University through interactions with students and faculty during his lifetime.
The archive includes nearly two million items such as speeches, legislative documents, campaign literature, audio-visual recordings, photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that document his political work and intellectual contributions since their donation in 1981.
Kristen Nyitray, director of Special Collections & University Archives at Stony Brook Libraries said: “Senator Javits’ archive stands as a testament to a lifetime of public service and principled leadership. With the generous support of the Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation and the Javits family, Stony Brook Libraries is both preserving the Senator’s legacy and ensuring that the archive becomes even more accessible and impactful through online curricula and sponsored research.”
Carla Javits—president of The Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation—stated: “Our visit to the Stony Brook campus was the capstone of several decades of partnership between the university and the Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation, which most recently made a $1 million gift to the University and was matched by the State of New York.” She continued: “These funds will support and broaden access to the Javits Collection in order to inspire young people’s civic engagement and leadership. We viewed a special exhibit of inspiring photographs and documents from the collection that our father chose to donate to Stony Brook. He believed that this public institution is a perfect repository and beacon for his ideas and bipartisan approach to bettering the world. We were especially moved by the interactive kiosk at the Javits Lecture Hall which includes clips of forceful speeches our father made on topics ranging from civil rights to foreign affairs, and by a special panel discussion led by Professor Kline that included New York State Assemblymember Ra who also is co-chair of Future Caucus in New York.”
Access to view The Senator Jacob K. Javits Collection is available by appointment through Kristen Nyitray at kristen.nyitray@stonybrook.edu.