Bill Becker, the son of Russian immigrants, was born in Chicago. His father was a union member who cut suit patterns in a men’s clothing factory. J. Bill Becker served in World War II, and then earned his economics degree in Illinois. Becker moved to the South and began his life-long career in the labor movement. Though Becker focused on the Arkansas labor movement, he also organized in Missouri, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, and other states. Becker led the Arkansas AFL-CIO from 1964 to 1997.
Becker was married to Norma Faye Becker, with whom he had five children, and they were married for 25 years. He later married Mary Cameron.
J. Bill Becker passed away on December 6, 1997, at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock (Pulaski County). According to a press release, “He was survived by his wife, Mary, his five children, Hunt Becker of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Hazel Becker Farris, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Paul Becker, of Monticello, Arkansas; Heidi Vaisvil, of Winter Park, Florida; Preston Becker, of Newark, Delaware; and six grandchildren.”
His collection contains letters, notes, reports, newspaper articles, and photos related to Becker’s work in the Arkansas labor movement.
Series I
Box 1
File 1 – Personal Information file, Birth certificate, Diplomas, etc.
File 2 – Notebook University of Illinois, Champaign – Urbana J. Bill Becker Class Material – 1944-1946
File 3 – Jerome Bill Becker – Resume
File 4 – J. Bill Becker – Employment Search 1958-1960
File 5 – An Oral Interview of J. Bill Becker about the Little Rock School Integration Crisis 1957-1958 – Oral History Transcript by John Luter, Aug. 1971
File 6 – Certificate of Appreciation 1971-1993
File 7 – Jokes – For Speeches
File 8 – Hunt Bill Becker – Older Son – Graduation from Hall Senior High school 1972
File 9 – Paul Jerome Becker – Son – Letter to his Mom – July 8, 1974
File 10 – Heart Surgery – April 11, 1991
File 11 – In Memory of Edward Becker – ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
File 12 – In Memory of Joseph Becker- father of J. Bill Becker
File 13 – J. Bill Becker – Feb. 25 1924-Dec. 6, 1997
File 14 – Photographs – J. Bill Becker – Undated
File 15 – Articles Written About J. Bill Becker, A.D.
File 16 – Report For Literature 3 – Walker “The Union Man” Dec. 5 1999 – by Hannah C. Farris (Bill Becker’s Granddaughter)
End of Box 1
Series I
Box 2 -A
File 1 – Union Song “Solidarity Forever” and 4”x6” Song Book c. 1975 (Page 32)
File 2 – Cassette Tape – Song – “We Just Come to Work here, We don’t Come to Die” and 2 Round lapel Pins – AFL – CIO
File 3 – Booklet – (45 Pages) How to Conduct Your Union Meetings – 1949
File 4 – Arkansas Governor Sid S. Mcmath c. 1954 – 1 8”x10” Photo
File 5 – Booklet – (37 Pages) “Right-To-Work Law Issues: an Evidentiary Approach” by Daniel H. Pollitt, Prof of Law 158
File 6 – State Voting Records of Arkansas Senators and Representatives on Bills of Interest of Labor Unions – General Assembly – 1955-1993
File 7 – Book – “A Teaching Guide on how to run a Union Meeting” (AFL – CIO Dept. of Education 1959)
File 8 – Arkansas Governor Orval E. Faubus c. 1960
File 9 – Minimum Wage Law 1960
File 10 – Correspondence Amalgatnated Meat Cutters of North America – 1960-1961
File 11 – Bill Becker’s hand written “Labor History”
File 12 – Bill Becker’s hand written notes on Labor and anti-trust
File 13 – Bill Becker’s Hand written “medi-care” HR 3920 &S880 – 1962, 1964
File 14 – Bill Becker’s hand written “35 hour work week proposal 1963
File 15 – Impact of Right-To-Work Laws 1963
File 16 – Organized Labor Indorses the United Way of Pulaski Co. 1963
File 17 – Amendment 54 – Voter Registration Vote by County – General Election-1964
File 18 – Arkansas State AFL – CIO Program To Progress Banner – C. 1964
File 19 – Magazine Graphic Arts “Unionists” – May 1965
File 20 – Statement of J. Bill Becker – “Maximum Unemployment Benefits” Aug. 25 1965
File 21 – Unemployment Compensation Laws – 1966
File 22 – Outline for Talk to a Class in Economics 1966
File 23 – “Right to Work” Information 1961-1967
File 24 – Lyndon Baines Johnson – 36 President of U.S. 1963-1969
File 25 – Speech for United Fund – Dec. 8 1969
File 26 – Community Services – United Fund.
End of Box 2-A
Box 2 – B
File 1 – Newspaper Articles on Right-To-Work Laws Jan-Feb- 1970
File 2 – Report on Attitudes and Opinions of Union Members and other voters on Issues and Candidates in Arkansas
File 3 – Bill Becker’s speech to Southern States Regional Council Region V – Aug. 11, 1972
File 4 – Jimmy Carter for President 1975
File 5 – Arkansas Governor David Pryor 1976
File 6 – ‘Right to Work Laws’ Hurt Almost Everyone by J. Bill Becker-1976
File 7 – Copies of Original Official Invitation to President Jimmy Carter Inaugural Reception Jan. 20, 1977
File 8 – Fact Sheet – Proposed 2.5% tax on domestic Insurance Companies in Ark. Ear marked for indigent health care – 1981
File 9 – House Bill 429 “An Act to prohibit the use of “Lie Detector Polygraph, Voice Analyzer, etc. as a condition of employment. Feb 8, 1983
File 10 – Taxation – 1983
File 11 – State Wide Computerized Voter List – 1983
File 12 – Absentee ballots – House Bill 235 – 1983
File 13 – Agreement Between – Office and Professional Employees International Union Arkansas State AFL – CIO May 16, 1984
File 14 Robert Greenstein, Director of Center on Budget and policy Priorities – c. 1986
File 15 – Bureau of Employment Agencies – 1987
File 16 – Comparable Worth Legislation – 1987
File 17 – Arkansas Sales Tax Legislation – 1987-1988
File 18 – Arkansas Commission on Juvenile Justice Amendment 2 1988
File 19 – Arkansas Women’s Economic Coalition – 1988
File 20 – Briefing Paper #2 “How Congressional Redistricting may Change National Politics in the 1990s – March 1989
File 21 – Ann Linz – Grievance – March 9, 1989 – June 14, 1990
File 22 – Arkansas slips farther behind nation in per-capita personal income – sept. 14, 1989
End of Box 2-B
Box 2 –C
File 1 – Agreement Between Office and Professional Employees International Union AFL-CIO, Arkansas AFL- CIO May 16, 1990 (2 Copies)
File 2 – Proposed Amendment to the “Usury Laws” for Ceiling on Interest Rates for 1990 ballot
File 3 – Manufactures Investment Tax Credit Feb. 8, 1997
File 4 – Health Care 1991
File 5 – Newspaper – Arkansas Democrat Gazette – Thursday Jan. 14 1993 “Sit-in for fired workers leads to 6 L.R. arrests”
File 6 – Agreement Between Office and Professional Employees International Union AFL-CIO, Arkansas AFL- CIO May 16, 1993 (2 Copies)
File 7 – 8 Page Composition on Changing Technology (Undated)
File 8 – William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton Attorney General
File 9 – Endorsement of Arkansas, Governor Bill Clinton for President of the United States – by Bill Becker President of Arkansas AFL-CIO Sept. 3, 1992
File 10 – AFL-CIO News – Nov. 1977-1978 and 1993-1995 “A Report on Congress”
File 11 – Computer Printout of – All Affiliates (Top officers) and Delegates List and Mailing Labels 1996
File 12 – Miscellaneous Correspondence 1986, 1992,1996
File 13 – Undated Newspaper Articles and other memorabilia sent to Mr. Becker’s Daughter, Hazel from Julia Malak, Secretary, State AFL-CIO Office July 13th, 1999
End of Box 2-C
Box 3
File 1 – American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations – Grants this Charter March 20, 1956 & Aug. 28, 1987
File 2 –Arkansas AFL –CIO Constitution – March 1956 (2 Copies)
File 3 – Officers Report – Constitutional Convention 1958
File 4 – Officers Report – Constitutional Convention 1960-1969
File 5 – Constitutional Convention – 1971-1979
File 6 – Constitutional Convention – 1981-1987
File 7 – Arkansas AFL-CIO-Seventeenth Convention Hot Springs, AR June 12, 13, 14, 1989
File 8 – Potential Votes for Convention – 1991, 1992
File 9 – Constitutional Convention – 1991, 1995
File 10 – Video-Election of Officers AFL-CIO Convention – 1993
File 11 – Photos
End of Box 3
Box 4
File 1 – Workers Compensation 1960’s
File 2 – Workers Compensation – 1985-1986
File 3 – Workers Compensation – 1991-1992
File 4 – Fatal Occupation Injuries in Arkansas, 1992
File 5 – Workers Compensation – 1993
File 6 – HB 1615 Act 796 1994 Workmans Compensation
File 7 – AFL-CIO National Safety and Health Conference Nov. 16-19, 1997
End of Box 4
Box 5
File 1 – 7”x8” Plaque – Arkansas State A.F. of L. In Appreciation for Service to the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. 1975-1976
File 2 – 9”x11” Plaque – In Appreciation to J. Bill Becker Arkansas Chapter N.M.S.S. – 1977
File 3 – 8”x9 ½” (Arkansas Shaped) Plaque Leadership Award – Presented to- J. Bill Becker from Pulaski Co. A.P.R.I. – Sept. 29, 1979
File 4 – 5”x7” Plaque – Presented To – Arkansas Labor Movement – For- Outstanding Service M.D.A. 1981
File 5 – 3”x3” Marble Desktop Paper Weight – To J. Bill Becker – From – Unitarian Universalists Honor Your Courage and We Will Work for Radical Justice June 25, 1987
File 6 – 6”x8” Plaque From COPE (Community Organization Poverty Elimination) In Appreciation To – J. Bill Becker – For Serving on The Board of Directors 1992
File 7 – ACLU of Arkansas Annual Banquet – Oct. 30, 1996 Distinguished Service Award to J. Bill Becker
File 8 – 5”x7” Plaque – from Arkansas State Council of Machinists – “Remembrance and Friendship” to J. Bill Becker (No Date)
File 9 – 2 – 11”x14” Political Cartoons – Dale Bumpers
File 10 – 6 Political Cartoons – Bill Clinton
File 11 – 6 Political Cartoons – David Pryor
File 12 – 2 Political Cartoons – Winthrop Rockefeller 1967-1968
File 13 – 10 Political Cartoons – Other Political People
File 14 – 9 ¾”x12 ½” Framed Print – “Hard Hats” by Philip Hays
End of Box 5
Box 6
File 1 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1960s
File 2 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1970-1974
File 3 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1975
File 4 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1976-1979
File 5 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1980-1981
File 6 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1982
File 7 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1986
File 8 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – Dec. 1986-Oct. 1987
File 1 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1988
File 10 – J. Bill Becker’s Legal Pad Notes – 1990-1996
End of Box 6
Box 7
Item 1 – 1995 President’s Election Challenge
Item 2 – Appeal and Correspondence Relating to Appeal
File 1 – Donahue’s Letter (unsigned) Oct. 12, 1995
File 2 – Correspondence – March 1995 – May 1996
End of Box 7
Box 8
File 1 – Book – “Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois” by Noel F. Busch 1952
File 2 – Book – “America’s States – Building A Progressive Future” published by The National Center for Policy Alternatives, 1986
File 3 – Book – “Arkansas Laws Relating to Labor” Arkansas Dept. of Labor-July 1979 Bill Clinton – Governor Charles L. Daniel – Director
File 4 – Book – “Champions of Labor” by David F. Selvin – 1967
File 5 – Book – “Danger on the Right” by Arnold Forster and Benjamine R. Epstein – 1964
File 6 – Book –”The Development of the Labor Movement in Great Britain, France, and Germany” by W.A. McConagha 1942
File 7 – Book – (Biography) “George Meany and His Times” by Archie Robinson1981
End of Box 8
Box 9
File 1 – Book – “Growth of Labor news in the United States” – United States Department of Labor-1967
File 2 – Book –“A Hot Bed Of Tranquility” by Brooks Hays 1968
File 3 – Book –“Labor Law and Legislation – by Stephen J. Mueller, M.B.A., J.D. 1949
File 4 – Book –“Let The Glory Out” – by Albert Gore-1972
File 5 – Book –“Mean Things Happen in This Land” – by H.L. Mitchell-1979
End of Box 9
Box 10
File 1 – Book – “Organization and The Law” – by Stephen I. Schlossberg 1967-1991
File 2 – Book – “Our Faces, Our Words” – by Lillian Smith 1964
File 3 – Book – “Out of the Sweatshop: The Struggle for Industrial Democracy” – by Leon Stein 1979
File 4 – Book – “Plantation Politics: The Southern Economics Heritage” – by Dr. J. Earl Williams 1972
File 5 – Book – “Potomac Fever” – by Fred R. Harris 1977
File 6 – Book – “Right to Challenge: People and Power in the Steel Workers Union” – by John Herling 1972
File 7 – Book – “Rise Gonna Rise ( A Portrait of Southern Textile Workers)” – by Mimi Conway 1979
File 8 – Book – “Roosevelt, Lewis, and The New Deal, 1933-1940” – by C.K. McFarland 1970
File 9 – Book – “Sidney Hillman, Great American” – by Jean Gould 1952
File 10 – Book – “The Ticket-Splitter: A New Force in American Politics” – by Walter DeVries and Lance Tarrance, Jr. 1972
End of Box 10
Box 11
File 1 – Book – “Toil and Trouble: A History of American Labor” – by Thomas R. Brooks 1965
File 2 – Book – “The Un-Americans (An Account of House Committee on Un-American Activities” – by Frank J. Donner 1961
File 3 – Book – “Union Security: The Case against the Right-to-Work Laws” – American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations c. 1958
File 4 – 2 Books – “Walter P. Reuther: Selected Papers” – edited by Henry M. Christman 1961&1964
File 5 – Book – “Why Labor Must go Modern” National Trades Union Congress 1970
File 6 – Book – “The Working-Class Majority” – by Andrew Levison
End of Box 11
End of Series I
Series II
Box 1
Item 1-A – 3 1/4 “x3 ¼” Paper weight John Fitzgerald Kennedy President of The United States of America – Inaugurated Jan 20, 1961
Item 1-B – 1 12”x16” Grammar School Diploma, Jan. 28, 1938
Item 1-C – 1 11”x15.3/4” High School Diploma Jan. 13, 1942
Item 2 –2, 2¼” Diameter “Becker” Political Pins and 1 – Mending Kit – “Look for the Union Label When you Shop”
Item 3 – 6 ¾“x 9 ¼“Cedar Chest with King James Version Holy Bible given to J. Bill Becker by United States Paper workers Union Local 1965 Morrilton Arkansas – In Loving Memory of J. Bill Becker, Dec. 6, 1997
Item 4 – 1 11”x14” Black/White Group Photo AFL-CIO Arkansas – Oklahoma Labor School – University of Oklahoma Oct. 20-24, 1969 – J. Bill Becker Front Row 2nd from the right
Item 5 – 1 11”x14” Black/White Group Photo AFL-CIO Arkansas – Oklahoma Labor School – University of Oklahoma Oct. 20-24, 1969 – J. Bill Becker Front Row 4th from the right
Item 6 – Newspaper-Arkansas Democrat Sun. June 23, 1979 “Teamster Money, Supports President” (Nixon)
Item 7 – Newspaper-Arkansas Business Sun. June 22, 1986 “I’m Still an Angry Man”
Item 8 – Newspaper-Arkansas Business Feb. 23, 1992 “Is Becker a Dinosaur? At the age of 67 AFL-CIO President is still Fighting”
Item 9 – Newspaper (2 Copies) – Ark. Democrat-Gazette Sun. March 1, 1992 “Becker is still Toiling away in Union Fields”
Item 10 – Newspaper – Ark. Demo-Gazette May 24 , 1992 Safety Standards
Item 11 – Newspaper – Ark. Democrat-Gazette Sun. May 2, 1993 “Labor Leadership Battle awaits June Convention”
Item 12 – Newspaper – Ark. Democrat-Gazette Sat. July 3, 1993 “AFL-CIO Aims Workers Comp for 1994 Ballot”
Item 13 – Newspaper (2 copies) – Ark. Democrat-Gazette Sun. Feb 9, 1997 “Always the Activist, J. Bill Becker refuses to cease fighting for State’s Workers
End of Box 1
End of Collection