Charles J. Hynes (1935 - ), 1991
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents note
The interview with Hynes was recorded in December 1991 at his office in the Municipal Building in downtown Brooklyn. Hynes discusses his childhood, family, and his involvement in Irish American affairs, starting with the 1981 hunger strikes.
Historical/Biographical Note
Charles J. Hynes (1935- ) was born in Brooklyn. As a second-generation Irish American, Hynes first remembers developing his Irish identity from the stories that his grandfather would tell him about emigrating to Boston and the discrimination against the Irish that he witnessed. Although a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since the early 1970s, Hynes only became publicly active in Irish American activities during the 1981 hunger strikes. His outrage at how the British government treated the hunger strikers led him to join in the protests at the British Embassy and eventually to co-found Irish Solidarity Day.
Hynes graduated from St. John's University Law School in 1961. He began his public service career as an associate attorney with the Brooklyn Legal Aid society. He later became a special state prosecutor in 1985, where he remained until he was elected as the Brooklyn District Attorney in 1989. Hynes has run two unsuccessful primary campaigns for other elected positions: the 1994 race for state attorney general and the 1998 race for governor of New York. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at St. John's Law School, Brooklyn Law School, and Fordham Law School.
Sources:
Barbanel, Josh. "Hynes to Enter Race for Brooklyn District Attorney." New York Times. #1 June 1989. B:2
Perez-Pena, Richard. "The Democratic Candidates for Governor at a Glance." New York Times. 13 September 1998, 56.
Charles J. Hynes - 2 December 1991, Dec 2, 1991
Abstract
[00:00 - 10:00] Kings county district attorney Background - family, childhood, where he developed his Irish identity. How he became involved in Irish American activities - protesting hunger strikes, co-founding Irish Solidarity Day.
Scope and Contents
[00:20] May I ask you where were you born?
[00:26] And your grandparents' names?
[01:02] Where were your grandparents born?
[01:17] Even though you didn't have anything to do with your paternal grandparents, they were both born in Ireland?
[01:34] When did your grandparents come to the United States and if you know, how?
[01:55] Do you know why they came?
[02:13 ] Do you know with whom they came?
[02:35] Do you know what level of education they had?
[02:45] And do you know how they made a living?
[03:13] And your grandmother?
[03:16] How many children did your grandparents have?
[03:21] And now where was your father born?
[03:28] Where was your mother born?
[03:34] What level of education did your father have?
[03:45] And how did your father make a living?
[03:51] And your mother?
[03:54] And how many children?
[04:01] And where were you born?
[04:07] And you were raised…?
[04:12] What is your first recollection of knowing that you were Irish?
[05:01] Was there any other Irish influence in your life?
[05:09] Your parents then didn't belong to any Irish American organizations when you were young growing up?
[05:26] Tell us a little about your military experience.
[05:44] You said there was no Irish neighborhood experiences growing up?
[06:01] And what about your religious background?
[06:10] And you married a woman by the name of…?
[06:34] And now your children, you have…? And has this Irish influence trickled down to them through the stories that you've told them or Irish involvement that you're in - tell me a little bit about it.
[07:30] What is the first daughter's name?
[07:44] Did you ever have a time when you felt you had to defend it [being Irish] growing up? Do you recall when you yourself got active in your Irishness?
[09:09] What was the focus, merely to protest the hunger strike?
[09:44] What prompted you to get active and to form this?
[10:19] Then where did you go from there with your Irish involvement?
[11:49] Do you think that there's something inside you that draws you to do this that maybe wouldn't be in the being of another political leader that might not be of Irish background, or do you think it's involved with your legal knowledge and professionalism?
[13:24] Are there other Irish causes that you've been called on to speak out about in recent times?
[13:52] What about the Joe Doherty situation?
[14:18] Is there any other Irish-type involvement that you're currently involved in or you just do what comes up when it's necessary?
[14:33 ] Is there any time in your life or your career where you have felt that someone was prejudiced against you just because you are Irish?
[15:42] How did you feel?
[16:38] Do you feel that the Irish have been tagged incorrectly as drunks? What do you think is the reason that they've been so tagged?
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Duration: 18 Minutes. Preservation Note: Side 2 is blank.
