The Tim Valentine papers span the years 1982 to 1994. The collection consists of correspondence, press releases, speeches, legislation, committee files, and video and cassette tapes. Materials pertain to the political life and career of former Congressman Tim Valentine of North Carolina's second district.

Congressional committees Valentine served on and which are represented in this collection are: Agriculture Committee; Appropriations Committee; Armed Services; Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs; Budget Committee; D.C. Committee ; Education and Labor; Governmental Operations; House Administration; Interior and Insular Affairs; Energy and Commerce; Foreign Affairs; Judiciary; Merchant Marine and Fisheries; Post Office and Civil Service; Public Works and Transportation; Rules Committee ; Standards of Conduct; Small Business; Veterans Committee ; and the Ways and Means Committee. The Correspondence series covers constituents' opinions and concerns about issues that relate to these committees. Subjects include abortion, pesticides, labor, defense, education, taxes, prayer in public schools, and gun control. This series also includes personal correspondence from Valentine's friends and colleagues. The Legislative series allows one to track Valentine's stand on legislative issues through the voting records and legislative profiles. Other legislation files comprise health, welfare, education, transportation, and the Lake Gaston pipeline issue information. The Press series provides information on Valentine's campaign, his political and legislative beliefs, and events relevant to the time.