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Brigham Young University will acquire the Orrin G. Hatch Papers Collection, donated by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation. The archive includes more than 2,000 boxes of legislative records, personal papers and documents from the 42-year Senate career of one of BYU’s most distinguished alumni.
The donation also includes funding to ensure the collection’s preservation, cataloging and eventual public and scholarly access.
Hatch’s leadership roots trace back to his days as a BYU student, where he served as summer student body president in 1958, an early marker of his passion for public service that would define his career.
“Sen. Hatch was also a champion of civil dialogue and constitutional government, values that align with the principles we uphold at Brigham Young University,” said BYU President C. Shane Reese, who announced the acquisition at the Hatch Foundation’s Titan of Public Service Gala in Salt Lake City.
“This effort will not only enrich academic research, but it will also inspire the next generation of principled leaders – that is a legacy worthy of Senator Hatch and one BYU is proud to help carry forward.”
During his time in the Senate, Hatch sponsored more than 750 bills, including landmark legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. He was known for building bipartisan relationships across the aisle, notably with the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
The BYU Library’s Special Collections department is preparing the materials for long-term preservation. Information regarding research access and availability will be shared as the process continues.
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