JAMES H. CAVANAUGH FILES, 1974-76

Dr. James H. Cavanaugh joined the Domestic Council staff in 1971 to assist in the development of health policy and programs. Appointed in 1973 as Associate Director for Human Resources, he helped to develop and coordinate the President's domestic policy in the areas of health, education, welfare, labor and veterans affairs. His duties were again augmented the following year when he was appointed Deputy Director for Operations, responsible for the management of staff and coordination and final review of domestic policy papers for the President. In January 1976, he was appointed Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs in James Cannon's office. In August of the same year the appointment title was changed to Deputy Assistant to the President in Richard Cheney's office so that Cavanaugh could participate in Ford's campaign. (The Hatch Act prohibits federal officials to be involved in certain political campaign activities. Only presidential aides are exempted)

As Deputy Director for Operations, Cavanaugh reported directly to the Executive Director. Cavanaugh's principal duty was to act as liaison with the Domestic Council staff concerning day-to-day operations. This required issuing staff assignments, sitting in for Ken Cole or James Cannon at White House senior staff and Domestic Council staff meetings, establishing deadlines on assignments and keeping informed as to their progress.

During his tenure on the Domestic Council, Cavanaugh remained in close contact with his colleagues in health-related fields. He was frequently invited to speak to various groups and arrange meetings with the President, and the collection contains correspondence and memoranda related to these activities. Cavanaugh also prepared memoranda for the President presenting alternatives and making recommendations with regard to proposed legislation.

Although Cavanaugh was appointed as an assistant to the President so that he might participate in the campaign, his papers do not reflect that involvement. During the period from August to the end of the administration he worked with Richard Cheney, Assistant to the President for White House Operations, assisting with routine duties and allowing Cheney greater opportunity to become involved in campaign activities.

Much of the material in the collection is of a very routine nature. Assignments to Domestic Council staff members, intra-staff memoranda, status reports to Cole and Cannon, and requests to speak constitute the bulk of the papers. There is often no record of action taken on an incoming request. There are occasional briefing papers and recommendations on legislation that were prepared by staff members and routed through Cavanaugh's office before going to the Executive Director. Cavanaugh also prepared memoranda for Cannon when he sat in on meetings Cannon was unable to attend, including both White House and Domestic Council staff meetings.

Related Materials (January 1982)
Related material can be found in other Domestic Council collections, particularly Executive Director James Cannon and Art Quern, who replaced Cavanaugh as Deputy Director for Operations in August 1976.