The Victor Atiyeh Papers contain materials from his business, political, and personal activities, dating from 1923-2012, as well as collected materials and family papers predating the primary body of the collection. The bulk of the materials pertain to his campaigns for and his service in political office, particularly his two terms as Governor of Oregon, 1979-1987, and to the international consulting business he established after leaving office in 1987. Collection materials include appointment books, audio cassettes, awards, budgets, campaign materials, certificates, correspondence, directories, memoranda, memorabilia, notes, photographs, poll results, posters, press clippings, publications, receipts, reports, schedules, scrapbooks, speeches, and video tapes.
An interoffice memo from Bob Oliver, legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh, to Gerry Thompson, Atiyeh's Chief of Staff. He discusses alleged harassment complaints against the Rajneesh community by Henry Richmond of 1000 Friends of Oregon. Richmond asks that the Governor not condone the behavior of the Rajneesh. Bob Oliver writes in agreement with this, but because there was no illegal conduct, recommends the Governor does not respond to the letter. The letter appears to have been returned to Bob Oliver with Gerry Thompson's note of agreement. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
Letter from Ram Das Singh Khalsa, attorney for the Rajneesh, to the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors. Enclosed was a copy of a reply from Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's attorney Swami Prem Niren. The reply was to a letter also attached that had been written to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh regarding comments made in The Goose Is Out, a book written by Bhagwan. Certain comments in the book were considered by one of Khalsa's clients, Yogi Bhagwan, as defamatory. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Interoffice memo from Fred D. Miller, director to Bob Oliver, assistant to the Governor regarding rumored gates on Wasco County Road. The memo acts as a response to inquires made by a local anti-Rajneesh group about gates, city funds from the Highway Division and traffic signs. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Interoffice memo from Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel, to Gerry Thompson, the governor's chief of staff. The memo acts as a supplement to a previously sent memo regarding the questions presented by an anti-Rajneesh group. In further response to the inquiries of the group, some of the concerns are answered by Government agencies. Several of the departments were not yet able to provide correspondence on issues that fall under their jurisdiction, but they report that as information is received it will be compiled into a report. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A memo from Gerry Thompson, chief of staff for Governor Atiyeh to Bob Oliver, the Governor's legal counsel, responding to a recent meeting with an anti-Rajneesh group. The group is unnamed, but may have been the 1000 Friends of Oregon. The memo provides replies to several of the group's questions and attempts to dispel rumors circulating within the community. She notes that the group has so far failed to specific proof of illegal activity by the Rajneesh. However, after the consideration of comments made during the meeting about potential violations of Oregon state law, it had been determined that an inventory needs to be taken of all agencies involved. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Inter-office memo from Betty Maudlin, who was apparently an assistant in the Oregon Governor's Office, to Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel. She reports on a meeting between Governor Atiyeh's chief of staff Gerry Thompson and a local anti-Rajneesh group. The group is not named, but may have been the 1000 Friends of Oregon. The group had been attempting to get a meeting with the Governor to discuss the Rajneesh problem. Press was present at the meeting and the group provided a list of questions and concerns that they asked the Governor to respond to. Gerry Thompson requested that Bob Oliver prepare answers or a referral be sent to authorities prior to the Governor's potential meeting with the group of residents. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Charles H. Tatom, coordinator for Americans for Constitutional Rights, to Governor Atiyeh. The letter expresses the concerns of various community action groups regarding Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers. The group further requests that Governor Atiyeh instruct the Attorney General, Dave Frohnmayer to conduct an investigation, based upon the violation of the First Amendment, by harassing the community, as well as the city of Rajneeshpuram receiving State revenues. Also included is the Americans for Constitutional Rights statement of purpose. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A press release and legal opinion from the office of Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer concerning the incorporation of Rajneeshpuram as a city. Frohnmayer is quoted as saying that Rajneeshpuram cannot be incorporated because the community was 'a total fusion of government and of religious functions,' and as such would violate the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. The press release is followed by the text of Frohnmayer's legal opinion. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Terrel Howard Bell, secretary for the United States Department of Education to Governor Atiyeh. The letter is an invitation to the Governor to attend a National Conference. The conference was set to take place in Indianapolis, its purpose to discuss the steps to coordinate local, State and Federal responsibilities in relation to schools all over the Nation. The back portion of the paper provides brief information on how to participate in the conference. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Karen Roach, an Administrator in the Oregon Children's Services Division, to Gerry Thompson, Chief of Staff for Governor Atiyeh. The letter explains that a previous memo sent out by a member of the staff contained incorrect information regarding the childcare program in Rajneeshpuram. A second site visit was scheduled and new information is available for the Governor's office to review. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Interoffice memo for the Rajneesh file written by Bob Oliver, legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh, reporting on a telephone call from Jayananda, a member of the Rajneeshpuram community. Jayananda called him at his home to inquire about several issues including whether the Rajneesh might be able to operate a highschool, the background of a Rajneesh opponent named Verne Duncan, and recent threats of kidnapping. They also discussed the state's lawsuit blocking Rajneeshpuram's incorporation. An attached memo from Bob Oliver to Gerry Thompson, the Governor's Chief of Staff, concerning the possibility of a decline the Rajneesh leader Bhagwan's health, as well as rumors about drug use. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
A letter from Governor Atiyeh to Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer covering the developing issue of allotting state funds to the city of Rajneeshpuram while its legal incorporation is being called into question. The Governor requests that for the good of the state, as well as for the good of the public interest, the issue be finally resolved in the courts through appropriate legal proceedings. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Jess Armas, an Administrator within the Oregon Children's Services Division, to Swami Krishna Deva, the mayor of Rajneeshpuram. The letter informs the mayor that after review, the Children's Services Division staff determined that the childcare facility within the community did not require licensing as a private agency, as long as the current state of care is not subject to change. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A memo from Bob Oliver, legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh, to Gerry Thompson, the Governory's Chief of Staff. The memo relays information regarding a conversation with Krishna Deva, the mayor of Rajneeshpuram, who had expressed concern over state funds being withheld. The withholding was due to the state's legal objections over the community's attempt to incorporate itself as a city. Krishna Deva also advises that the Governor's office should not communicate with Swami Prartho Subhan as he is not the attorney for Rajneeshpuram; the city's attorney is Ma Prem Sangett. Included is a memo from Bob Oliver to attorney Ma Prem Sangett advising him of the conversations had with Mayor Krishna Deva. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
Letter from Swami Prartho Subhan, who represents himself as an attorney for the community of Rajneeshpuram, to the custodian of records in the Oregon Governor's office. Subhan argues that precedents set in previous cases have mandated access to government records. He requests all writings and records dealing with the Rajneesh to be produced. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Swami Krishna Deva, the mayor of Rajneeshpuram, to Neal R. Fisher, of the Oregon Governor's Accounting Division. The letter summarizes a series of interactions had between the two about the withheld state funds. Bill 3028 states that agencies cannot withhold funds based solely upon the opinion of an Attorney General, rather, only if the Land Use Board of Appeals had declared the city invalid. As the city was not labeled invalid, the City of Rajneeshpuram demands that the state-shared revenues be released and the mistake rectified. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A letter from Neal R. Fisher of the Oregon Executive Department's Accounting Division to Swami Krishna Deva, the Mayor of Rajneeshpuram. He responds to Rajneeshpuram's request regarding state funds, explaining that no state funds can be released until his office receives a reply from the Attorney General. Also included is a letter from Fisher to Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer inquiring as to whether or not various agencies should continue to withhold distributions of funds to the city of Rajneeshpuram. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Telegram from Na Yoga Didya, President of the Rajneesh Neo-Sannyasin International Commune, to Governor Atiyeh. The telegram explains the shock the Rajneesh community experienced upon discovery of the Governor's involvement in the case against them. The case, filed by Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer, was an attempt to prevent the community of Rajneeshpuram from incorporating as a city. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Martha Stranahan, a journalist from Redmond, to Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer explaining her support for his suit filed to prevent the community of Rajneeshpuram from operating as an incorporated city. She also expresses her dislike for the Rajneesh and belief that they pose a threat. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
The letter from Anne Neoman, the National Coordinator at Citizens for God & Country to Governor Atiyeh illustrates the frustrations of certain Christian-affiliated groups during the Rajneesh crisis. Individuals from the group felt that the Governor was not upholding his Constitutional oath and furthermore practicing totalitarianism in permitting the invasion of anti-Christians in Antelope. The group requests that the Governor reconsider his actions and correct them. Also included is a response from Governor Atiyeh to Neoman expressing his loyalty to the Constitutional oath, his belief in equal treatment of all individuals and strong opposition to totalitarianism. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A memo from Bob Oliver, legal counsel to Governor Atiyeh, to Swami Prartho Subhan, Rajneesh staff attorney, relating to a public records request by the Rajneesh. Oliver had responded to a previous request by denying access to certain records. Oliver explains that there is a file containing letters strictly related to the attempted appointment of a Rajneesh member to the Oregon Health Council that Subhan is welcome to look into. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver.
This itinerary for the Rajneesh Foundation's Second Annual World Celebration, later known as the World Festival, advertises the Festival and provides a general schedule of events. The itinerary was printed in the Rajneesh Times, and also states how an individual can gain more information about workshops and full details. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
A brochure and registration materials for the Rajneesh Foundation's First Annual World Celebration, later called the World Festival. Also included are descriptions of the events, programs being offered, registration rules and a brief outline of all other potential needs. Within the brochure are various methods of payment and pricing for the week long celebration. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
Letter from Kristine M. Gebbie from the Department of Human Resources in the Oregon state government to Robert E. Stacey of 1000 Friends of Oregon. The 1000 Friends of Oregon was a group that opposed the incorporation of Rajneeshpuram. The letter is a response to the request regarding the community water system in Rajneeshpuram. The Division had overlooked some procedures but will now be implementing them in compliance with Oregon State Law. She refutes the argument of 1000 Friends of Oregon that the proposed water supply would not satisfy the requirements. This item was a part of the papers of Bob Oliver, Governor Atiyeh's legal counsel.
