Bob Lanier Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-1269
Scope and Contents
This collection includes materials and records from the office of Bob Lanier, mayor of Houston from 1992 to 1998. The collection contains records of events and event briefings, many years of correspondence – internally within the mayor’s office, between departments of the Houston city government, and between city officials and outside agents – official reports and presentations by government departments as well as contracted firms; minutes from meetings; saved articles from the Houston Chronicle and other newspapers; development plans for residential and commercial areas; official requests for city action; briefings for the mayor; and potential employee resumes.
The materials cover local events from 1992-1996; housing and development in Houston; city policy; public works; the Houston METRO; crime, police, and municipal courts; city finances and contracts; economic development and trade; federal legislation initiatives; local events and ceremonies; and other matters under the providence of the Houston city government. Many of Lanier’s initiatives as mayor were focused on reducing crime as well as developing infrastructure and housing.
Dates
- 1992-1996
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Bob Lanier Collection must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Robert “Bob” Clayton Lanier (March 10, 1925 – December 20, 2014) was a businessman and politician who served as mayor of the city of Houston, Texas from 1992 to 1998. As mayor, he was affectionately referred to as "Mayor Bob." Lanier died at the age of 89 in Houston, Texas from natural causes on December 20, 2014.
Lanier was born to working class parents in the refinery town of Baytown, Texas in 1925. Lanier attended college at the University of New Mexico and graduated summa cum laude graduate from the University of Texas Law School in 1949. Initially employed by Baker & Botts law firm, Lanier practiced for a decade before switching gears to pursue a business career. During that business career he worked in banking and eventually established himself as a major Houston real estate developer, focusing mostly on subdivisions and apartments. Before seeking his first and only elective office as Houston’s mayor in 1991, he was a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Highway Commission, which he chaired, and chairman of METRO, Houston’s transit authority. Lanier also was a founding member of Houston Community College, which he continued to support until the end of his life.
As mayor, Lanier’s actions were guided by three core values: that Houston should capitalize on its diversity, that his administration had to improve the city’s infrastructure, particularly the inner city, and bring it to the level of the more affluent suburbs, and that public safety should be improved. His honors and awards include the Texas NAACP Texas Hero award, the Hubert Humphrey Civil Rights Award, and the 2000 Leadership Houston Distinguished Service Award. In 2002 he was inducted into the Texas Transportation Institute's Hall of Honor at Texas A&M University, and in August 2007 he was also inducted into the Houston Hall of Fame.
Lanier was born to working class parents in the refinery town of Baytown, Texas in 1925. Lanier attended college at the University of New Mexico and graduated summa cum laude graduate from the University of Texas Law School in 1949. Initially employed by Baker & Botts law firm, Lanier practiced for a decade before switching gears to pursue a business career. During that business career he worked in banking and eventually established himself as a major Houston real estate developer, focusing mostly on subdivisions and apartments. Before seeking his first and only elective office as Houston’s mayor in 1991, he was a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Highway Commission, which he chaired, and chairman of METRO, Houston’s transit authority. Lanier also was a founding member of Houston Community College, which he continued to support until the end of his life.
As mayor, Lanier’s actions were guided by three core values: that Houston should capitalize on its diversity, that his administration had to improve the city’s infrastructure, particularly the inner city, and bring it to the level of the more affluent suburbs, and that public safety should be improved. His honors and awards include the Texas NAACP Texas Hero award, the Hubert Humphrey Civil Rights Award, and the 2000 Leadership Houston Distinguished Service Award. In 2002 he was inducted into the Texas Transportation Institute's Hall of Honor at Texas A&M University, and in August 2007 he was also inducted into the Houston Hall of Fame.
Extent
38 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The Series 1 content is arranged chronologically. Content in the rest of the series is arranged thematically.
Series 1 Mayor’s Events
Series 2 Housing and Development
Series 3 Mayor’s Working Files
Sub-Series 3.1 Houston Infrastructure Development
Sub-Series 3.2 Personnel, Administrative Files, and Outside Contracts
Sub-Series 3.3 Houston Transit
Sub-Series 3.4 Houston Police and Courts
Sub-Series 3.5 Houston Trade and Commerce
Sub-Series 3.6 Reports, Correspondence, and Notes
Series 4 Pamela Rimoldi Files
Sub-Series 4.1 Mayor’s Briefings
Sub-Series 4.2 Notes, Correspondence, and Memorandum
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Bob Lanier in 1997
- Mayors Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Municipal government Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Municipal officials and employees Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- MSS 1269 Mayor Bob Lanier Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jeanette Sewell, Caroline Castillo, and Theresa Pye, Emily Higgs
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- MSS 1269 Bob Lanier Papers Finding Aid
Repository Details
Part of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center Repository
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