Records from two of Georgia’s highest-ranking politicians of the 1990s and early 2000s are now freely available to the public, as the University of Georgia’s Russell Library for Political Research and Studies opens collections from U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.

The collections provide insider perspectives into 21^st century congressional debates. In addition, the collections include campaign memorabilia, constituent correspondence, photographs, and other objects from Chambliss’s and Isakson’s life and service in state politics dating back to the 1970s.

The Saxby Chambliss Papers and the John Hardy (Johnny) Isakson Papers are two of the most significant contributions to the Russell Library to document the contributions of Georgians to the U.S. Congress in the 21^st century.  The archive was founded in 1974 to provide public access to the political papers of U.S. Sen. Richard B. Russell, a former governor who served in the U.S. Senate for nearly 40 years. Since then, the library has grown to include more than 600 manuscript collections and 2,000 oral history interviews documenting the role of Georgia and Georgians in American politics from 1900 to the present.

With overlapping political goals and terms, as well as a strong personal friendship, the senators worked in partnership in Washington, and Chambliss said he was honored to open his collection alongside those of Isakson, who passed away in 2021.

“Johnny and I met at the University of Georgia and began a friendship that lasted 60 years, including 16 years serving together in Congress,” Chambliss said. “I am pleased that students and future generations will have the opportunity to study the work we did on behalf of our state and our country.”