Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection

Authors

Greg Beam

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

9-7-2000

Interview Number

MOH 210

Abstract

Jay P. McCloskey was born in Bangor, Maine on March 20, 1947 to Eleanor (McCarthy) and Frank McCloskey. He grew up in Bangor, attending Catholic schools, graduating in 1965. Mr. McCloskey went to the University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1971. At the same time, he served one term in the Maine State Legislature. He also did extensive work on the Maine Labor Oral History Project, where he interviewed key players in the Maine labor movement. That collection is at the University of Maine in Orono. He worked on George Mitchell’s gubernatorial campaign, and then attended the University of Maine School of Law in Portland, Maine. He graduated in 1977. He became active in legislative work, working for Senator Muskie and Senator Hathaway. He returned to Bangor after Senator Hathaway lost his bid for reelection and practiced law. He then served as Assistant United States Attorney for thirteen years before being appointed United States Attorney by Bill Clinton in 1992. At the time of this interview, he had been in that position for eight years.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: Maine Labor oral history; Ben Dorsky; Bangor, Maine history; the east and west sides of Bangor; political involvement at UMO during Vietnam; significance of the labor movement; serving in the Maine House from 1971 to 1973; Irish influence in Bangor; driving Ed Muskie in 1976; Muskie’s Washington staff in 1976; Muskie’s strength as a speaker; Muskie’s relationship with his staff; attending UMO with Steve Muskie; Muskie at the Fryeburg Fair during a rainstorm; Muskie anecdotes; working for Bill Hathaway; comparisons between Hathaway and Muskie; going to work with George Mitchell as Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Urban Renewal mistakes.

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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