Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

9-20-2001

Interview Number

MOH 317

Abstract

Kermit Victor Lipez was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1941. He grew up in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania and attended Haverford College and later Yale Law School. He worked for the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice. Lipez began working for Governor Ken Curtis in September 1968, and after three years became a legislative aide in Muskie’s Senate office preparing statements and research for Muskie’s speechwriters. After a year, he returned to Maine and authored the book: Kenneth Curtis of Maine: Profile of a Governor. He opened a private law firm in Maine in 1975, and Ken Curtis joined the practice. He became a judge of the Superior Court in 1985, was appointed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and later to the U.S. Federal First District Court of Appeals.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; paper industry in Lock Haven; Maine income tax issue; Maine state elections of 1970; Ken Curtis; Muskie and the vice presidential campaign of 1968; John McEvoy; Court of General Jurisdiction; challenges of campaigning; driving to the airport with Senator Muskie; Senator McGovern suggesting to Senator Muskie to join him as his vice presidential candidate; Senator Muskie’s speech at the National Press Club early in his campaign; Muskie and legal needs for the poor; Frank Coffin; and Joe Albright.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

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