New York State Consumer Counsel to the Governor Outreach Records

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Dr. Persia Campbell, a former professor of economics at Queens College, was appointed consumer counsel by Governor W. Averell Harriman on January 19, 1955. For many years, Dr. Campbell had been supporting the interests of consumers as an advisor for New York City and the federal government and in her association with non-governmental consumer organizations and activities. Her many activities included the directorship of consumer services for the New York Civil Defense Voluntary Organization during the early part of World War II and later membership on the Consumers' Advisory Committee of the President's Council of Economic Advisors.

The primary function of the consumer counsel was to advise the governor on matters affecting the consumer interest from a consumer point of view; to support and coordinate the consumer services being carried out by various state agencies and to define and represent the consumer interest before these state agencies; to assist all efforts to increase the competence of the public as consumers; and to protect consumers from fraud and misrepresentation through cooperation with mass media and communication and cooperation with private groups and organizations.

This series consists of materials relating to outreach efforts conducted by the consumer counsel to Governor Averell Harriman. Such efforts include conferences, television and radio appearances, and the publication of fliers and pamphlets designed to inform the consumer. Materials include published fliers and pamphlets; transcripts of conferences, television appearances, and radio programs; and summaries of public events. Also included is correspondence related to conferences, television appearances, and radio programs. Records relate to such subjects as consumer credit, the marketing of dairy products, protection of elderly consumers, and television servicing.

This series was transferred to Syracuse University from Governor Harriman in 1959, and was transferred to the New York State Archives in 2006. It was accessioned in June 2018.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.