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W. Cleon Skousen papers on Orrin Hatch, 1979-1999

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9364 Series 4 Sub-Series 7

Scope and Contents

Letters written from United States Senator Orrin Hatch from 1991 to 1999, the first letters being copies of letters sent to other recipients, but the majority thereafter addressed to both Cleon and Jewel Skousen. The letters included copies of government documents and letters to other government officials, articles, and clippings, which provide context for the letters' topics of discussion. Cleon has annotated and highlighted content in the letters. Also includes a 1979 news release from Hatch and a copy of "Gospel Questions -- Missionary Answers" written by Hatch. Materials dated 1979 to 1999.

Dates

  • Creation: 1979-1999

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access restricted for 10 years from donation, until May 2029.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtainany necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Orrin Grant Hatch was born on March 22, 1934, to Jesse Hatch and Helen Frances Kamm Hatch in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He married Elaine Sharon Hansen on August 28, 1957. They have six children. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from Brigham Young University in 1959 and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1962. He then worked as an attorney in Pittsburgh and Utah until his election to the United States Senate in 1977. He worked in the Senate until 2019, eventually becoming President pro tempore. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018 and the Canterbury Medal in 2020. Orrin Hatch died April 12, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Biographical / Historical

Willard Cleon Skousen was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on January 20, 1913, to Margarita Bentley and Royal Pratt Skousen. The family moved to San Bernardino, California, when Cleon was 10. He studied at Juarez Academy in Mexico for 9th and 10th grade while living with his grandmother in Colonia Juarez. Skousen served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the British Isles. He later attended San Bernadino Valley Junior College, where he served as student body president and excelled as a debater and public speaker. He went on to attend George Washington University and received his J.D. degree. Skousen was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and before the Federal District Court of Appeals. In 1935, while still attending law school, Skousen entered J. Edgar Hoover's FBI and was subsequently appointed as a Special Agent.

Skousen married Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen on August 13, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had eight children. Skousen served in various parts of the United States during World War II and was appointed to a supervisory administrative position at the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. Skousen left the FBI in 1951, after 16 years of service, to become the Director of Public Services and member of the faculty at Brigham Young University. In 1956, he was given a leave of absence from BYU to reorganize the Salt Lake City Police Department, where he served as Chief of Police until 1960. In the fall of 1960, Skousen became Field Director for the American Security Council, as well as the editorial director of Law and Order, a police magazine. He returned to teach at BYU from 1967 to 1978.

Skousen's loyalty to America's founding fathers and the Constitution led to his founding the Freeman Institute in 1971, which was later renamed the National Center for Constitutional Studies. He served as president of the NCCS until 1988, working on educational courses, speeches, and writings aimed to educate citizens and elect government officials with similar views on the Constitution. Skousen authored many books and spoke prolifically across the United States. Some of his best-selling publications include "The Naked Communist," "So You Want to Raise a Boy?" "The Making of America," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap." He also wrote books on religion, including "The Prophecy and Modern Times,” and "Treasures from the Book of Mormon.” Skousen passed away January 9, 2006, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Biographical / Historical

Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen was born August 29, 1918 in San Bernardino, California, to Myrtle Gertrude Barton and Hiram Nathen Pitcher. Her parents were descendants of early Latter-day Saint pioneers in California. Jewel attended San Bernadino High School, graduating in 1934. She married W. Cleon Skousen in Salt Lake City on August 13, 1936. They had eight children. The family lived in California, Washington, D.C. and for the majority of Jewel's life, in Utah. Jewel did not work outside the home after having her children, but she was heavily involved in the career of her husband. She proof read and edited his publications and accompanied him on travels both within and outside the United States. She participated in many of the events and gatherings related to Cleon's career as an FBU agent, professor, Chief of Police of Salt Lake City, author, and speaker. Jewel was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. Cleon passed away in 2006, and Jewel passed away February 23, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 100.

Extent

26 folders

Language of Materials

English