Special Projects
California State Archives Government | Ronald Reagan Era
Butler, Jessica Haver (b.1885)
Political Activist
Activist in Feminist Movement, 1978
A Smith College graduate who took her first job in the Massachusetts Minimum
Wage Commission. Ms. Butler moved to Washington, D.C. and became the first female
lobbyist in the nation’s Capitol when she joined the National Consumer’s League.
At that point she dedicated her life to the women’s movement and social reform.
This interview deals with her experience in the National Consumer’s League, her
recollections of Alice Paul, Carrie Chapman Catt, and other founders of the modern
feminist movement. In addition she discusses her days at Smith College, her career
as a teacher of speech for women, and some of her thoughts on the problems confronting
the modern feminist movement.
Interviewer: Donald Yacovone, doctoral student, Claremont Graduate School.
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Geddes, Ernest R. (b.1893)
State Legislator
California Assemblyman, 1976
Graduated from Long Beach High School in California, Geddes, however, was forced
to drop out of Redlands College after his junior year due to health reasons. He
moved to Pomona in 1921 and worked for a dry cleaning and linen supply chain,
Southern Service Company. Elected as a write-in candidate for the 49th Assembly
District in 1944, Mr. Geddes served in the California State Assembly until 1960.
Mr. Geddes worked on several committees but he had a keen interest in education
and library legislation. The interviews recount: Mr. Geddes’ family background
and events leading up to the 1944 election; his early interest in politics; education
and library legislation; and the discussions of California public officials and
the activities of the Republican party during his tenure.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Hillings, Patrick J. Lawyer
Congressman
Interview for the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress project
on The Modern Congress in American History, 1980
Service in World War II in the South Pacific. B.A. University of Southern California
1947) and graduate of the University of Southern California Law School (1949).
Discusses relationship with Richard Nixon and decision in 1950 to run for Nixon’s
congressional seat when Nixon ran for the Senate. Comments on election campaigns
and service in the House of Representatives from 1950 to 1959. Political closeness
to Vice President Nixon continuing before and after Nixon’s presidency.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program, Claremont Graduate School.
Also deposited in the Library
of Congress.
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Holifield, Chet (b. 1904)
Congressman
United States Congressman, 1975
Born in Kentucky in 1903, Mr. Holifield arrived in California in 1919 and set
up a cleaning business in Montebello. Elected to the House of Representatives
in 1942, Mr. Holifield served until 1974. As a member of Congress he chaired the
Governmental Operations Committee on Atomic Energy. Vol. I discusses Mr. Holifield’s
life until his first election to Congress. Vol. II relates the House Committee
Activities and the early years of policy-making on atomic energy. The Atomic Energy
Commission is discussed in Vol. III as well as the creation of ERDA and the Nuclear
Regulatory Agency.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
This interview is a product of a joint project with Los
Angeles County Public Library, where a copy is also deposited.
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Johnson, Sonia
Radical Feminist
1981
Sonia Johnson discusses her Mormon heritage and her education. Impact of church
ruling diminishing women’s right to participate caused her to embrace Feminism.
She speaks of why the Mormon Church opposed the Equal Rights Amendment [ERA] and
led to her interest in women’s rights.. Johnson talks about her trial and excommunication
from the church. She discusses Phyllis Schlafly’s relationship to the Mormon church
and nationwide tactics of the church to fight the Equal Rights movement. She reviews
the work of Mormons for ERA and the women’s movement and her failed attempts at
reinstatement in the Mormon church. Ms. Johnson talks about religious institutions
as strongholds of patriarchy and the status quo.
Interviewer: Karen Langlois, Doctoral Student, Claremont Graduate School.
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Lane, Harold and Florence Oldemar
Political Activists
Pioneering a Congressman’s Field Office, 1975
Harold Lane organized the first field office in Los Angeles for Congressman
Chet Holifield. Florence Oldemar volunteered to work in Mr. Holifield’s field
office in 1942 and stayed on for the next thirty-two years. Both give an interesting
account of the setting up of this first field office, with the purpose of providing
services for the residents of Holifield’s 19th district and of promoting Holifield
with an eye on the next election. Personal insight is given of Mr. Holifield as
a man and a politician.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
This interview is a product of a joint project with Los
Angeles County Public Library, where a copy is also deposited.
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Lawler, Ocar
See Lawler, Oscar in Law
Lloyd, Jim
California Congressman
1974, 1976, 1978, & 1981
This is a series of four interviews, held approximately two years apart encompassing
the terms served by Congressman Jim Lloyd from West Covina, California. The first
interview (1974) deals with his background and plans as he enters the House of
Representatives. The second interview deals with the election campaign of 1976,
what he considers his achievements in his first term, his service on the Armed
Services and Science and Technology Committees, and his legislative goals for
the new term. In the third interview (1978), Jim Lloyd assesses the principal
successes and disappointments of his second term, his major concerns about district
and national issues, and his position in the California delegation. The final
interview (1981) deals with Lloyd’s defeat in the election campaign of 1970, his
reflections on his last term in Congress, Democratic leadership in the House,
and the situation within the California delegation.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Pignatelli, Princess Conchita
See Pignatelli, Princess Conchita in California State and Local History
Richardson, Almon T.
See Richardson,
Almon T. in California State
and Local History
Sinclair, Upton
See Sinclair, Upton
in California State and Local
History
Thomas, Charles Sparks (b. 1897)
Business Executive, Secretary of the Navy
Memoirs 1976
Mr. Thomas was born in Independence, Missouri and he attended the University
of California at Berkeley and Cornell University. Mr. Thomas was president of
Foreman & Clark, Inc., a men’s clothing chain, between 1937 and 1953; during
World War II, he served in the administration of the Navy Department. In 1954
Mr. Thomas became Undersecretary of the Navy and Secretary of the Navy between
1954 and 1957. He returned to business as president of TWA in 1958 and later was
president of Irvine Company in 1960. Mr. Thomas has been active in Republican
politics at the state and national levels. His interviews focus on: his management
of Foreman & Clark; building a materiel organization during the war; becoming
Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Navy Service; friendship with Howard Hughes;
involvement with TWA; plight of scheduled airlines; and organization of Irvine
Company for land development in Orange County.
Interviewers: George C. S. Benson, President Emeritus and Professor of Political
Science, Claremont Men’s College; John H. Kemble, Professor of History Emeritus,
Pomona College, Claremont Graduate School; John Niven, Professor of History, Claremont
Graduate School; Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Voorhis, Horace Jeremiah
See Voorhis, Horace
Jeremiah in California State
and Local History
Wickes, Francis (b.1890)
Attorney, Civil Servant
The Commission for the Relief of Belgium. 1967
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1915, Mr. Wickes joined the staff
of the Commission for the Relief of Belgium. Describes the operation of CRB, dealings
with the Germans, forced labor in Belgium, and associations with Herbert Hoover
and other prominent individuals. Tells of service as a Liaison Officer on General
Pershing’s staff when the United States declared war and of his return to relief
distribution work after the Armistice.
Interviewer: John Niven, Professor of History (Claremont Graduate School).
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Zeitlin, Jacob (b. 1902)
Southern California Book Men Series, 1970.
Bookstore owner, politician. Mr. Zeitlin owns and operates one of the finest
bookstores in the Los Angeles area. He became interested in the La Follette campaign
in Texas in the 1920’s and though he came to California in 1925, did not become
active politically until the late thirties. He was Chairman of the Campaign Committee
in the successful election of Helen Gahagan Douglas to Congress in 1942, worked
on the campaign for Mayor Bowron (Los Angeles), and was appointed to the State
Democratic Committee in 1943. Mr. Zeitlin discusses local and state politics in
great detail. Further interviewing will develop materials on his bookstore business.
Interviewer: Lucian C. Marquis, Professor of Political Studies, Pitzer College,
Claremont Graduate School.
See Zeitlin,
Jacob also under Southern
California Book Men Series.
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Zetterberg, Stephen I. (b. 1916)
Attorney
Congressional Campaign of 1948, 1976
Mr. Zetterberg grew up in Claremont and graduated from Pomona College in 1938,
and received an LL.B. degree from Yale Law School in 1942. He worked in various
capacities during this period for Senator Scott Lucas. Mr. Zetterberg also worked
for Jerry Voorhis in the campaign of 1946. In 1948, he ran in the Democratic primary
in the 12th District in which Richard Nixon was the incumbent and in 1950, Mr.
Zetterberg won the Democratic nomination but was defeated in the general election.
The interview focuses on the Congressional campaign of 1948 in which Mr. Zetterberg
discusses his perceptions of Richard Nixon’s strategy and tells of general impressions
of him in future campaigns.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
See also: Zetterberg, Stephen I. (Entry #2).
This interview is the result of a joint project with Los Angeles County Public Library, where a copy is also deposited.
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California State Archives and Government
Oral History Program
In 1985, the legislature passed A.B. 2104 (Chapter 965 of the Statutes of 1985),
signed by Governor George Deukmejian, to establish a state government oral history
program “to provide through the use of oral history a continuing documentation
of state policy development as reflected in California’s legislative and executive
history, to be administered by the California State Archives. In addition to the
Claremont Graduate School, participating institutions were: California State University,
Fullerton, Oral History Program; California State University, Sacramento, Center
for California Studies Oral History Program; University of California, Berkeley,
Regional Oral History Program; University of California, Los Angeles, Oral History
Program. The California State Archives and each cooperating institution is a repository
for all interview manuscripts produced by the program. Each institution catalogues
those interviews conducted through its program. RLIN records for all interviews
are on-line accessible.
Babbage, John D. (b.1916)
Attorney, State Legislator
California State Assemblyman, 1987
Family background and education. Service as am attorney in Riverside District
Attorney’s Office. Decision to run for State Assembly and election to 76th Assembly
District. Nature of district and issues. Governor Earl Warren. Assembly Committees
on Education and Agriculture; Assembly Interim Committee on Crime and Corrections.
Strayer Report and founding of University of California, Riverside. 1950 Budget
and Extraordinary Sessions. Second term in Assembly: legislation pertaining to
Justice System; appointment to Ways and Means Committee; Interim Committee on
the Judicial System and the Judicial Process; Agricultural Subcommittee on Fairs
and Exhibitions. Decision to retire from Assembly and failure to win a race for
Congress in 1957. Ralph Brown as Chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee
and the Brown Act requiring the meetings of all local agency elective bodies to
be open, with certain exceptions. Service on the California Law Revision Commission
and Constitutional Revision Commission.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Bannai, Paul T. (b. 1920)
Realtor, State Legislator
California State Assemblyman, 1989
World War II interment at Manzanar. Volunteer for Japanese-American regimental
combat team, the 442d; service as interpreter in Pacific Theater. Establishment
of real estate business in Gardena. 1972 election to 67th State Assembly District
seat. Discusses his business career, service as an elected official in Gardena,
and election to the 67th State Assembly in 1972, Assembly committee service, legislative
leadership in Assembly, other Asians in the legislature, public service after
leaving the Assembly. Relates his dedication to the reimbursement of interned
Japanese-Americans.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Baus, Herbert M. (b. 1914)
Political Consultant
Political Consultant,1990
Graduate of University of California, Los Angeles (1936). Publicity director
of Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. After service in World War II, he started
a successful public relations and political consulting business. Baus soon established
a partnership with William B. Ross in Baus and Ross Campaigns, which later became
Baus and Ross Company. This was one of the first political consulting firms in
California and pioneered the use of polling, direct-mailings, and widespread media
coverage. Mr. Baus discusses his background and early work in political campaigns,
especially in the City Los Angeles, during the forties and fifties. He details
the way in which the partners coordinated their work and details the many ballot
issue and candidate campaigns he consulted on locally, regionally, and nationally.
He comments on the political consulting profession and the changes in the manner
in which campaigns are conducted.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Bronson, Leisa (b.1899)
Democratic State Committeewoman
Democratic Party Politics, 1989
Graduate of Vassar College and later attended law school in Ohio, where she
was public affairs chair for the YWCA and active in the League of Women Voters.
IN 1935, she moved to California and was charter president, Pomona Valley League
of Women Voters and then became active in Democratic politics, serving as vice
chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee (1950-1952)., During the 1950s
she lived in Arizona and served as Democratic National Committeewomen from that
state. She relates her family and educational background and her activities in
Ohio with the YWCA and the League of Women Voters, in which she was active with
regard to child labor laws. She discusses her entry in party politics in California
and Arizona. She reports on the three national conventions she attended in 1952,
1956, and 1960.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Cobey, James A. (b.1913)
State Senator, Judge
California State Senator, 1988
Graduate of Princeton and Yale Law School. In Los Angeles, after service in
World War II, Mr. Cobey served as the chief law clerk in Division 3 of the Second
District of the California Court of Appeal. In 1948, he was a legal adviser in
the Los Angeles County Counsel’s office where he gained substantive experience
in election code and agricultural matters. He then accepted a position in private
practice in Merced County. After the death of Senator George J. Hatfield in 1953,
Mr. Cobey was elected as his replacement (representing Merced and Madera Counties).
He served three terms (1955-1966) and during that entire period served on the
Judiciary and Agriculture Committees. After his defeat in 1966, Senator Cobey
was appointed an associate justice, Division 4 of the Second District of the California
Court of Appeal and sat on that court until his retirement in 1981. Senator Cobey
discusses his background and early professional experiences. He recounts his campaign
for the State Senate and his experiences as a freshman lawmaker and discusses
the legislation he carried during his service. He talks about Governor Edmund
G. “Pat” Brown and his 1965 gubernatorial campaign.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Corey, Dorothy D. (b.1901)
Market Researcher
Marketing and Public Opinion Research, 1990
Dorothy Corey, head of Facts Consolidated, has conducted polls for political
candidates and ballot measures. James C. Sheppard, a prominent Los Angeles attorney,
introduced her to many leading political figures, including Governors Goodwin
J. Knight and Edmund G. Brown, Sr. She did extensive political polling for the
consulting firm of Baus and Ross and of Braun and Company. Richard Nixon contracted
with her firm for his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1962 and his presidential
primary contests in California. During these campaigns she became acquainted with
Nixon’s inner circle of advisers. She also did polling research for Governor Edmund
G. Brown, Jr. Dorothy Corey reviews her family background and education. She recollects
her days as a pioneering market researcher during the thirties in Chicago and
her acquaintanceships with George Gallup and Elmo Roper. She talks about her company’s
clients in political polling and there reliance on research. Dorothy Corey also
discusses the various techniques used in market research and their applicability
in the political field.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Henson, Burt M. (b. 1926)
Assemblyman
California State Assemblyman, 1998
Burt M. Henson was elected to the 37th Assembly District seat in 1962. He served
two terms and was a member of the Committees on Natural Resources, Planning and
Public Works, Water, Criminal Procedure, Public Health, Ways and Means. Mr. Henson
sponsored bills, which reformed the licensing system for contractors, reorganized
the Ventura County court system, created the Point Magu State Park and established
a state college for Ventura County. In 1966, he was appointed to the Ventura County
Municipal Court and he remained on the bench for twenty years before retiring.
Mr. Henson discusses his Navy service, education at Stanford Law School, his early
law practice, and his political life.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Heslop, Alan (b. 1938)
Professor of Government, Claremont McKenna College
Reapportionment, 1994
Alan Heslop was the director of the Rose Institute for State and Local Government
at Claremont McKenna College, the Executive Director of the California Republican
Party State Central Committee and the Senior Consultant on Reapportionment to
the Republican Party in the State Legislature and the Governor’s Office. Mr. Heslop
discusses his childhood in England, his service in the Royal Air Force and education
at Magdalen College at Oxford University, where he earned his Master’s degree
in 1964. He began graduate studies in history at the University of Texas in 1962
but eventually switched to political science and earned his Ph.D. Mr. Heslop discusses
his political and academic career, the founding of the Rose Institute, his work
on redistricting bills under Governor Ronald Reagan and his appointment to the
Constitutional Revision Commission by Governor Pete Wilson.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Lancaster, William H. (b. 1931)
Assemblyman
California State Assemblyman, 1995
Mr. Lancaster discusses his early work for the California Taxpayers Association.
He managed the first congressional campaign for Charles Wiggins, then becoming
the Administrative Assistant in Southern California for Congressman Wiggins. William
Lancaster was elected to the California State Assembly in 1971. Here, he reflects
on his early experiences and impressions of the assembly. Mr. Lancaster served
on the Committees for Ways and Means, Water, Local Government, Finance, Rules,
Insurance and Commerce, the Subcommittee for Unemployment Disability, the Joint
Committee on Restoration of the Capitol, and the Joint Committee on Motor Vehicle
Inspections. He discusses issues that he encountered throughout his career as
well as his recollections of local, gubernatorial and congressional races and
his thoughts on the changes in campaigning and the legislature from 1972 to 1992.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Mellon, Carlotta H. (b. 1946)
Appointments Assistant to Governor, 1974-1981
California Women and Public Policymaking, 1990
Carlotta Mellon attended Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles and earned
her Ph.D. in Political Science from the Claremont Graduate School in 1973. She
founded the Immaculate Heart Young Democrats Club and the Claremont Graduate Students
for Robert Kennedy. She discusses working on the gubernatorial campaign for Edmund
G. Brown Jr. as the coordinator of women’s issues. Later she was appointed special
advisor to governor-elect Brown and in 1975, she became his permanent appointments
secretary. Ms. Mellon reflects on being a woman in politics, controversial appointments
and her relationship with and impressions of Jerry Brown.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Myers, Helen Linder (b. 1914)
Democratic Council Member
California Women and Public Policymaking, 1990
Helen Linder Myers grew up in the Midwest. In 1938, she earned an AB in Social
Services Administration from the University of Chicago. She and her husband moved
to Los Angeles in 1946, soon after which she began to get involved in Democratic
Party organizations and various volunteer activities. In 1950, she became the
chairman for the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee. She worked for
Stephen Zetterberg’s congressional campaigns in 1948 and 1950, Evelyn Johnson’s
Assembly campaign in 1950 and Helen Rudd Brown’s congressional campaign in 1958.
Ms. Myers discusses the creation of the California Democratic Council, the distinctions
between various Democratic party charter clubs, the organization of volunteers
and fund-raisers. She offers reflections on the political game and the role of
volunteers in it.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Pachon, Harry P. (b. 1945)
Political Science Professor
President, Tomas Rivera Policy Institute, 1997
Born in Florida, high school in Montebello, California. B.A. and M.A. in political
science from California State University, Los Angeles. In 1973, he completed his
Ph.D. in political science at Claremont Graduate School. From 1977 to 1981 he
served as an Associate Staff Member for the House of Representatives Appropriations
Committee and as Administrative Assistant to Congressman Edward R. Roybal. In
1981 he became Associate Professor of Political Studies at City University of
New York and also became a founding board member of the NALEO [National Association
of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund]. Since 1987 he has been
Kenan Professor of Political Studies, Claremont Colleges. In 1993 he was named
President of the Thomas Rivera Institute.
Interviewer: Charles C. Turner, doctoral student in Political Science, Claremont
Graduate University.
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Ross, William
Political Consultant
1990
In 1948, William Ross entered into partnership with Herbert M. Baus and established
Baus and Ross Campaigns, one of the first political consulting firms in California.
They pioneered the use of polling, direct mail, and widespread media coverage.
Baus and Ross managed campaigns at state and local levels as well as presidential
primaries for Republican candidates. Mr. Ross discusses his family background
and education, the structure of the company, his partnership with Herbert Baus,
strategies used in political campaigns, and his relationships with the politicians
Sam Yorty, Norris Poulson, William Knowland, Pat Brown, George Christopher, Barry
Goldwater and Richard Nixon.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Seeley, Raymond T. (b. 1912)
Cattle Rancher
California State Assemblyman, 1990
Raymond T. Seely was an independent cattle rancher in the Palo Verde Valley
near Blythe. He was elected to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in 1966
and served as its chairman for the last two years of his term. In 1970, he was
elected to the state assembly, serving two terms. He worked on bills on animal
husbandry, fish and game, geothermal resources and local water districts. In 1982,
he was appointed to the California Horse Racing Board. He served two four-year
terms.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Shaw, Stanford C.
State Senator, Assemblyman
California State Assemblyman (1951-1956); California State
Senator (1959-1963), 1988,
Stanford C. Shaw grew up in Ontario, California and attended college at Stanford
University. He received his law degree from Loyola University in 1945, opened
a private law practice after World War Two and was appointed Justice of the peace
for Etiwanda Township in 1947. He campaigned for the State Assembly in 1948 and
in 1950 and after his election in 1950, served two terms. Mr. Shaw discusses his
impressions of the State Assembly, various bills and propositions he worked on
and the impact of the Korean War on state government and civil defense. He compares
his service in the Senate and the Assembly, and discusses the 1960 Democratic
Convention and lobbying in legislature.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Stanford, Dan L. (b. 1950)
Chairman Fair Political Practices
Chairman, Fair Political Practices Commission (1983-1986), 1989
Dan L. Stanford attended California Western/United States International University
in San Diego and graduated in 1975 with a double major in business and sociology.
He attended University of Southern California Law School, where he worked on the
law review. He worked on George Deukmejian’s campaign for attorney general and
later supported Deukmejian for governor. In 1983, Stanford became the Chairman
of the Fair Political Practices Commission. In 1986, he exposed illegal fundraising
in Kenneth Cory’s campaign for state comptroller. He discusses his relationships
with commission members, the press and legislators.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Stiern, Walter W. (1914-1988)
State Senator
California State Senator (1958-1986), 1987
Walter W. Stiern grew up in Southern California and attended Bakersfield Junior
College and Washington State College. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
degree in 1938 and served in WWII as a Military Veterinarian. In 1948, he served
as the eastern Kern City manager for Adlai Stevenson’s presidential campaign,
then served on the Kern County Democratic Central Committee. In 1959, he was elected
to the 34th district seat in the California State Senate. He served twenty-six
years. Mr. Stiern discusses Governors Edmund G. “Pat” Brown and Jerry Brown, Ronald
Reagan, George Deukmejian and the issues of their times. He also discusses changes
in the Senate and in state politics during his tenure.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Veysey, Victor V. (b.1915)
State Assemblyman, U.S. Congressman
California State Assemblyman (1962-1970); United States
Congressman (1972-1976), 1988
Victor Veysey earned a BS in engineering in 1936 from California Technical
University and an MBA in industrial management from Harvard in 1938. During World
War Two, he worked in rocket production in the Physics Three project at CalTech.
He was elected to the 75th Assembly District Seat in 1961 and served four terms.
In 1971, he was elected to the U.S. Congress in the 38th Congressional District.
In 1974, he was appointed by President Ford to be the Assistant Secretary of the
Army, responsibly for water resources projects of the Army Corps of Engineers
and the Panama Canal. Mr. Veysey discusses Governors Pat and Jerry Brown and Governor
Reagan and the effects of Watergate on government.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Watson, Madale L. (b. 1911)
California Women and Public Policymaking, 1988
Madale Watson worked for James Harvey Brown’s Assembly campaigns in 1948 and
1950. She was appointed to the Democratic State Central Committee in the 1950s
and served as the treasurer of the California Democratic Party Southern Division
from 1971 to 1977. She attended five national party conventions. Ms. Watson discusses
volunteer work and women in politics, her impressions and recollections of Jesse
Unruh and the Chicago Convention of 1968.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Winton, Gordon H. Jr. (b. 1913)
Assemblyman
California State Assemblyman (1956-1970), 1987
Gordon H. Winton Jr. Earned his BA in political science from Berkeley in 1935,
served in the Navy from 1941 to 1945 and received his law degree from San Francisco
Law School in 1946. He served on the Merced City Board of Education from 1951
to 1955 and was elected to the State Assembly in 1956. Mr. Winton discusses the
nature of his assembly district, the Japanese community and war claims, and his
service on Senate committees.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
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Zetterberg, Stephen I. (b. 1916)
Attorney
California Democratic Party Activist, 1993
Mr. Zetterberg details his experience in the California Democratic Council,
focusing on issues he encountered and his responsibilities for health care. He
recounts his service as a member of the Governor’s committee to study California
health needs and the Governor’s committee on Medical Aid and Health under Governor
Edmund G. Brown Sr. Stephen Zetterberg worked for Jerry Voorhis’ losing congressional
campaign against Richard Nixon in 1946. He served on the Los Angeles Democratic
Central Committee beginning in 1948 and was a Democratic candidate for Congress
in 1948 and 1950. In the 1950s and ’60s, he worked on the California Democratic
Council and in 1958, Governor Brown appointed him to lead a small team of researchers
studying the health needs of California. In 1961, he chaired the California Democratic
Council issue committee on medicinal care.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
See also: Zetterberg, Stephen I. (Entry #1).
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Reagan Era
Flournoy, Houston I. (b. 1929)
College Professor, Politician
California Assemblyman and Controller, 1982
Born in New York City. Attended Cornell University and due to influence of
Clinton Rossiter enrolled at Princeton Graduate School to study the American political
system. Flournoy worked briefly as a legislative assistant on the state and federal
levels. He wanted to teach at the college level and in 1957 began his academic
career at Pomona College. He became active in California politics. This led to
his election to the California State Assembly, where he served three terms. Despite
his intention to retire from public office and return to Pomona College, his colleagues
urged him to run for statewide office of Controller in 1966. He won a close primary
and upset Alan Cranston in the general election and was reelected in 1970. At
the end of his second term he ran for governor, but was defeated by Edmund G.
“Jerry” Brown, Jr. by 178,000 votes.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of the page.
Stubblebine, William Craig.
(b. 1936)
College Professor
History of Proposition #1, 1982
Born at West Point, New York. He earned his doctorate in economics at the University
of Virginia in 1963. He has been on the faculty of Claremont McKenna College since
1966. Stubblebine is involved in a number of professional organizations and societies,
has served as a consultant for public and private sectors and has authored articles
on property rights and public finance. Because of his distinguished career and
interest in tax-related issues, Ronald Reagan selected him to work on the Task
Force on Tax Reduction, which he created in his second terms as governor to California.
This interview focuses on Stubblebine’s role on the Task Force on Tax Reduction
with emphasis on the evolution of concepts and details of Proposition #1,which
was the precursor of later tax limitation initiatives in California.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of the page.
Uhler, Lewis K. (b. 1933)
Lawyer, State Administrator
History of Proposition #1, 1982
Born in Alhambra, California and a graduate of Boalt Law School at the University
of California, Berkeley, Lewis Uhler became administrative assistant to Congressman
John Rousselot during his 1961-1962 term. In 1963 he began to practice law in
Covina. In 1970, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to serve as the Director
of the California State Office of Economic Opportunity, and a year later appointed
him Assistant Secretary of the California State Human Relations Agency, a cabinet
level position. In 1972, Uhler was selected to head the Task Force on Tax Reduction,
of which Uhler was the principal mover. Proposition #1, a constitutional amendment,
providing for tax reduction and limitation, was the result of the work of this
task force. Immediately following the defeat of Proposition #1 in November 1973,
Uhler left government service. In 1982 he was serving as president of the National
Tax Limitation Committee, which was working to implement the concepts of this
proposition nationally. This interview deals with Uhler’s service in the administration
of Governor Reagan. It focuses on his experience in running the State Office of
Economic Opportunity and in spearheading the movement for an amendment to the
California Constitution as represented in Proposition $1, which was the precursor
of Propositions #13 and #4 in California. Uhler discusses his dealing with the
federal programs for economic opportunity and relates in detail his knowledge
about the formation of the Reagan administration task forces and her role in the
development of Proposition #1.
Interviewer: Enid H. Douglass, Oral History Program.
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of the page.