Series I. General Correspondence and Subject Files, 1982-2016 (bulk, 2001-2010)
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The series includes files of Felix Rohatyn's correspondence, primarily from 2001 to about 2010, that is, the years after his ambassadorship to France. A significant theme running through much, perhaps most, of the correspondence is Rohatyn's advocacy for government investment in national infrastructure projects. This theme emerges in various contexts, notably in files concerning the transition team for New York Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer (2006), for a meeting of state investment officials convened by Rohatyn, California State Treasurer Philip Angelides and New York Comptroller H. Carl McCall regarding potential use of pension plans for infrastructure development (2002), long-term planning for New York under Mayor Michael Bloomberg (2002), rebuilding in New York after the attacks of 9/11 on the World Trade Center (2001), and the National Governors Association consideration of federal spending on building (2009). The files include remarks and articles by Rohatyn on the subject, with contextual documents such as clippings, government reports, and other material. (Standalone files of Rohatyn's writings and remarks are found in other series.) The World Trade Center attacks themselves also emerge as a subject, as correspondents from both the U.S. and overseas write to Rohatyn expressing sympathy for the tragic events of 9/11.
Rohatyn's advisory business interests are another theme of the series, though these appear in less depth. The series holds some early financial statements and required firm policy documents for Rohatyn's advisory firm, Rohatyn Associates LLC; a company overview of Lazard (2009); and a few Board meeting packets for companies at which Rohatyn served as a Board member. The economic relationship between the U.S. and Europe, Rohatyn's philanthropy, his support for certain politicians and public policy objectives, opposition to the death penalty, and awards and other recognitions bestowed on Rohatyn are among the other topics of the correspondence.
The correspondents found in the series are principally from the worlds of finance/business and politics. There are several letters from President Bill Clinton, with Presidents Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush also appearing. Letters from Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet officials, senators, and congressmen and congresswomen are also found in the series, as are letters from New York City mayors, corporate executives, and international statesmen and businesspeople. Nonetheless, many of these letters are not especially substantive, often simply expressing thanks or other courtesy on a matter. Overall, the container list identifies at the folder level any notable individuals, particularly from the political arena, and subjects. Many of the letters to and from overseas correspondents are in French.
The series also includes several folders of general press clippings and tear sheets concerning business, economics, and other such matters, several of which refer to Rohatyn.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged in alphabetical order, which is principally by correspondent but also includes subject matter references. This follows the original order of a set of files, into which loose and unlabeled documents were added by the processing archivist. Most loose documents were added into the original "miscellaneous" folders, which already held most of the correspondence. Folder labels created by the archivist for certain correspondents and subjects that were not in the original set are not differentiated in the container list below, but are shown in [brackets] on the actual boxed folders. Miscellaneous news articles and other reference material are at the end of the files.
American Embassy in Paris, 2001-2003
Academie des Sciences Morales et Politiques (2 folders), 2001
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notes and other preparatory material for a speeech at the Academie, but not the speech itself. The file includes Rohatyn's related speech given at the New York Public Library in April 2001, "A New Europe, A New America: Drifting Apart at the Turn of the Century."
Address [Contact] Lists (7 folders) (Restricted until 2030), circa 2000-2009
Adler, Michael, 2001-2008
Albright, Madeleine, 2001
Altman, Roger C., 2002-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes letter co-signed by Rohatyn in connection with his support of a fundraising event for presidential candidate John Kerry.
American Academy of Arts & Sciences, 2001-2006
General Note
Includes draft of Rohatyn's essay "The Financial Scandals and the Demise of the Traditional Investment Banker."
American Hospital of Paris Foundation, 2001-2002
American Jewish Committee; Amerian Jewish Historical Society, 2001-2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the invitation for the event honoring Rohatyn with the Emma Lazarus Statue of Liberty Award.
American Society of the French Legion of Honor, 2001
Scope and Contents Note
Includes roster of members.
Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 2001-2002
Apple, Betsey, 2006
Scope and Contents Note
Condolences and response on the death of R.W. Apple.
Appointment Books (5), 2007-2008, 2013-2015
Aspen Strategy Group; Aspen Institute Italia, 2001-2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Rohatyn's paper on the "New Europeans" and a copy of his Washington Post piece "On the Wrong Track."
AXA, 2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes material related to the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC).
A. Miscellaneous, 2000-2009
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other correspondents, District Attorney Lynne Abraham expressing gratitude for Rohatyn's help in obtaining the extradition of a criminal from France.
Barrett, Bill, 2001-2009
Bloomberg, Michael (Mayor), 2002-2007
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, a presentation of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability's "PlaNYC 2030: Transforming New York's Urban Environment" and Rohatyn's comments on the plan published on FT.com (2007).
Brookings Institution, 2001-2005
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other material, Brookings's "A Compact Between the United States and Europe," supported by Rohatyn, a member of the Brookings Council.
Bush, George H.W.; Bush, George W., 1991,2001-2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one G.H.W. Bush letter referring to his address at the Babi Yar Memorial in Kiev (1991) and one thank you letter from G.W. Bush (2001).
B. Miscellaneous (3 folders), 2000-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes letters from, among others, Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, former Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, Samuel R. (Sandy) Berger (including forwarding two speeches by President Clinton on the new agenda of closing the international development gap), Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Senator Christopher S. Bond, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, and Warren E. Buffett. Includes several French correspondents, including French Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industry Thierry Breton, and two photographs of Pierre Betin when he was awarded the Legion of Honor.
Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), 2001-2015
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report of CSIS's Embassy of the Future Commission, co-chaired by Rohatyn (2007).
Clinton, William Jefferson (Bill), 1987-2011
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one letter from Arkansas Governor Clinton (1987), seven letters from President Clinton (1995-1997), and three letters from Clinton, post-presidency (2002-2011). In an 8 June 1995 letter Clinton responds to Rohatyn's March 31 piece in the New York Times and comments on national budget and financial priorities. In a 22 April 1996 letter, Clinton comments on the late Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. See also the ambassadorship series for two other Clinton letters related to Rohatyn's post.
Coface Speech, 2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Rohatyn's remarks at the Coface World Economic Forum "France, Europe and the U.S."
C. Miscellaneous (3 folders), 2001-2015
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, letters from former Governor Mario Cuomo, Attorney General/Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Jon S. Corzine, Senator Thomas R. Carper, economist Bowman (Bo) Cutter, John D. Podesta of the Center for American Progress, Nancy J. Cooper of the American Consulate in Bordeaux (conveying Mayor Juppe's proposed projects for French-U.S. cooperation), and Lloyd N. Cutler (conveying draft of letter for Michel David-Weill of Lazard concerning the terms of Rohatyn's possible renewed relationship with the firm, now that his ambassadorship to France had ended).
Death Penalty / Roper v. Simmons (2 folders), 2001, 2005-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to Rohatyn's 2001 and 2006 articles concerning his opposition to the death penalty and his participation in the amicus briefs for McCarver v. North Carolina and for Simmons v. Roper. Includes a letter from Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy (2005).
DeLauro, Rosa, 2007
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a summary of the National Infrastructure Development Act (H.R. 3896), and the bill introduced by Congresswoman DeLauro.
Dinner Dance, May 12, 1982, 1982
D. Miscellaneous, 1995, 2003, 2008-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Senator Christopher Dodd confirming Rohatyn's participation at a Senate hearing on the nation's infrastructure (2008).
Economic Club of Chicago / Le Monde, 2003
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the speech for the Club, article for Le Monde, and associated reference documents, some of which are other Rohatyn's articles and speeches.
E. Miscellaneous, 2001-2010
Financial Services Committee, 2008
Scope and Contents Note
Includes draft of testimony before the congressional committee.
Foreign Investment, 2005-2006
Fundraising, 1986
Scope and Contents Note
Includes letters received in reaction to Rohatyn's article concerning fundraising events in New York, related magazine articles, and other letters related to the Rohatyns's philanthropy.
F. Miscellaneous, 2001, 2005
Giscard d'Estaing, Valery, 2001-2004
G. Miscellaneous (2 folders), 2001-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Mayor Rudolph W. (Rudy) Giuliani and Congressman Richard A. (Dick) Gephardt.
HSBC, 2002-2005
H. Miscellaneous, 1995-2016
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Senator Jesse Helms, Senator Chuck Hagel, and Congresswoman Jane Harman.
I Have A Dream, 1986, 1992
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photocopies of junior high school student letters expressing their career dreams (1986) and a thank you letter to the Rohatyns from a "dreamer."
Infrastructure (2 folders), 2001-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the report "An Investment Strategy for Economic Recovery," a product of a meeting of state investment officials convened by Rohatyn, California State Treasurer Philip Angelides and New York Comptroller H. Carl McCall, with related documents (2001-2002); see also the folders below on "New York Rebuilding" and "Pension Funds." Includes Rohatyn-related clippings, interviews, etc. on the subject of infrastructure investment (2003-2010).
I. Miscellaneous, 2001-2010
John's Island Real Estate Company, Vero Beach, Florida, 2008
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a packet of marketing material.
J. Miscellaneous, 1996, 2001-2004
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, literary agent Morton L. Janklow and a presentation concerning efforts for asbestos reform legislation.
Kerry, John, 1995, 2001-2004
Kissinger, Henry, 2001-2002
K. Miscellaneous (2 folders), 2001-2008
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, New School University President Bob Kerrey, Senator Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, and former mayor Edward I. Koch. A letter from Koch includes substantive commentary on a 1 November 2003 speech made by Rohatyn.
Lazard (2 folders), 2009-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among other documents, a "Company Overview" of Lazard (2009) and a packet for Rohatyn of schedules, briefing notes, and background documents for a May-June 2010 period.
L. Miscellaneous (3 folders), 1994, 2001-2007, 2016
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Senators Patrick Leahy, Joseph I. Lieberman, Richard G. Lugar, and Maurice Levy (in French, concerning the Legion of Honor for Elizabeth Rohatyn).
Mahoney Cohen & Company, CPA, P.C., New York, NY, 2001
Scope and Contents Note
Includes packet of marketing material.
Middlebury College Board of Trustees (2 folders), 2009 October
Morris, W. Howard, 2012
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of the Financial Stability Agreement between the city of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Treasury, in connection with a proposed conversation with Morris of the Detroit Financial Advisory Board.
M. Miscellaneous (3 folders), 1995, 2001-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Danielle Mitterand, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, and Senator John McCain.
New York Rebuilding, 2000-2001
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to Rohatyn's articles concerning rebuilding in New York subsequent to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Among these are the New York City Comptroller's Office report The Impact of the September 11 WTC Attack on NYC's Economy and City Revenues (Preliminary Estimate) and documents concerning State Comptroller H. Carl McCall's consideration of using pension funds for reconstruction. See also the folders in this series on "Infrastructure" and "Pension Funds."
New York University, 2003
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the the first NYU/NYSE Directors' Institute, at which Rohatyn was a panelist.
Nixon, Richard, 1989
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one letter, responding favorably to Rohatyn's address at the Chicago Economic Club.
Nora, Pierre, 2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents, in French, concerning publication of an article by Rohatyn.
Notepad, circa 2012
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a small notepad with to-do's, appointments and other daily notes.
Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)), 2005-2006
N. Miscellaneous, 1996, 2001-2005
O. Miscellaneous, 2001-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and a copy of Rohatyn's letter to President Barack Obama supporting Hugh Carey as a recipient for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Pension Funds (2 folders), 2001-2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to a meeting of state investment officials convened by Rohatyn, California State Treasurer Philip Angelides and New York Comptroller H. Carl McCall; see also the folders in this series on "Infrastructure" and "New York Rebuilding."
Pharmaceutical Companies, 2002, 2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Board of Director meeting packages for Aton Pharma (2002) and ARMGO (2010).
Powell, Colin, 2001
Protectionism & Foreign Capital Movements, 2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes draft of an article by Rohatyn on this subject for the Council on Foreign Relations.
Publicis Groupe Supervisory Board, 2010
P. Miscellaneous (2 folders), 2001-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.
"Rebuilding New York City: The Federal Role" Forum. Sponsored by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York's Committee on Federal Legislation (2 folders), 2002 December 16
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the background material for the forum.
Rendell, Edward, 2008-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various documents concerning infrastructure, including a draft of Rohatyn's comments to the National Governor's Association (2009), the results of a "Building America's Future" survey taken by Frank Luntz (2009), a white paper by a task force of the American Bar Association on the federal budget in relation to infrastructure (2008); and comments by Rohatyn to Governor Rendell on a national infrastructure bank (2010).
Rohatyn Associates LLC (3 folders), 2001-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an announcement of the firm's organization (2001), financial statements for various periods (2001-2002), editions of the supervisory procedures and compliance manual (2001-2006), and other required firm policy and procedure statements (2006).
R. Miscellaneous (3 folders), 1995, 2001-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld.
Sarkozy, Nicolas, 2002-2007
SBC Communications. Project Universe, 2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes presentation with overview and analysis of U.S. telecommunications industry and companies.
FGR's Signature (Photocopies), Undated
Strategic Council for Attractiveness, 2003-2004
Scope and Contents Note
Includes documents related to the French advisory council on the economy and industry, of which Rohatyn was a member.
Student Immigration, 2004-2006
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Rohatyn's remarks at the inauguration of Dr. Clara Yu at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and related documents.
S. Miscellaneous (6 folders), 2001-2010, 2016
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snow, Senator Gordon H. Smith, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
Transition, Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer. Economic Development Advisory Committee (5 folders), 2006 November-December
Trinity School, New York. Annual Report, 2009
T. Miscellaneous, 2000-2010
U.N. Secretary General / AIDS, 2001
United Way of New York City. Knickerbocker Circle. Information Packet, Circa 2001
U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2001-2003
U. Miscellaneous, 2002-2009
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Rohatyn's testimony, forwarded to Louis Uchitelle of the New York Times, concerning the role of public investment in promoting economic growth delivered before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services (2007).
V. Miscellaneous, 2001-2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes, among others, Paul Volcker's positive response to Rohatyn's remarks on "Freedom, Fairness and American Capitalism," with Volcker's dinner speech at the SIEPR Economic Summit (2005).
W. Miscellaneous, 1995, 2000-2011
92nd Street Y, 2002-2003
Scope and Contents Note
Includes remarks and related documents.
Y, Z. Miscellaneous, 2001-2005
General Reference & News Articles (7 folders), 1970s-2016
Scope and Contents Note
Includes miscellaneous newspaper articles, magazines, Internet publications, and other print matter concerning economics, business, infrastructure spending, culture, and Lazard, some with highlighting. Several articles refer to Rohatyn, or even emphasize him specifically. None include articles written by Rohatyn or include interviews where he is quoted extensively; see the above folders and, especially, Series III for those. See Series II for press clips concerning the 1970s New York City fiscal crisis.