Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
State Assembly, 1983-1995
Scope and Content
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Doris Allen Papers
Dates: 1983-1996
Collection number: LP440
Creator:
Doris Allen, California Legislator
Collection Size:
7 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: Doris Allen, Republican, was a State Assembly Member from 1983 to 1995. She was first elected to represent the 71st Assembly
District. After district reapportionment in 1992, she won re-election in the 67th Assembly District. The Doris Allen Papers
consist of 7 cubic feet of textual records and audio cassettes reflecting Allen's legislative activities during her time as
a member of the California State Legislature. The collection is organized into the following record series: Bill Files, 1983-1996;
Correspondence, 1985-1993; Press Releases, 1983-1992; Prospective Legislation, 1981-1993; Speeches, 1986-1991; and Subject
Files, 1985-1995.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Administrative Information
Access
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
Publication Rights
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Doris Allen Papers, LP440:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of
State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The California State Archives acquired the Doris Allen Papers following her final term in the State Legislature.
Biography
Doris Allen, Republican, was a State Assembly Member from 1983 to 1995. She was first elected to represent the 71st Assembly
District. This district covered northwest Orange County, including Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, and parts
of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster, and Rossmoor. After district reapportionment in 1992, she won re-election in the 67th
Assembly District, which covered Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, and parts of La Palma,
Westminster, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Anaheim, and Rossmoor in southwest Orange County.
Allen was born on May 26, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended the University of Wyoming, Long Beach Community College,
and Golden West College. In 1960, she established residence in Westminster, California. She married James Allen in 1967 and
had two children. In 1976, she was elected to serve on the Huntington Beach Union High School District Board of Trustees.
She founded the Orange County Bus-Bloc in 1978 in order to prevent the forced busing of students from Orange County into Los
Angeles Schools. Allen ran for office in the 71st Assembly District unsuccessfully in 1978 and 1980. She finally defeated
the incumbent, Democrat Chester Wray, in 1982 with 51.6% of the vote.
Allen often clashed with members of her party. She became disgruntled with the Republican delegation in 1990 when it supported
Senator Ross Johnson's (R-Irvine) campaign against her for the 35th Senate District election. In 1995, when the Republicans
claimed a 40-39 edge in Assembly seats, she took advantage of a deal sanctioned by Willie Brown to become the first female
Speaker of the California Assembly. The Republican Party had preferred to elect Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) to the position.
Allen lost her Assembly seat after losing a recall election in November of 1995.
Allen died of cancer on September 22, 1999.
During her time in the Legislature, Doris Allen was a member of the following committees:
State Assembly, 1983-1995
-
Standing Committees
- Aging and Long Term Care, 1987-1988
- Economic Development and New Technology, 1989-1990
- Education, 1983-1986, 1993-1995
- Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1989-1990
- Governmental Organizations, 1991-1992
- Health, 1983-1984, 1987-1995
- Housing and Community Development, 1995
- Labor and Employment, 1987-1988 (Vice Chair, 1987-1988)
- Vice Chair, 1987-1988
- Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, 1989-1990
- Natural Resources, 1985-1986, 1991-1994 (Vice Chair, 1985-1986; Vice Chair, 1991-1992; Transportation, 1985-1986; Water, Parks
and Wildlife, 1983-1986, 1995)
- Vice Chair, 1991-1992 Transportation, 1985-1986 Water, Parks and Wildlife, 1983-1986, 1995
- Vice Chair, 1985-1986
- Ways and Means, 1991-1994
-
Select Committees
- California Youth, 1983-1984
- Insolvency of Orange County, 1994-1995
- Small Business, 1989-1990
- Youth and Drug Abuse Prevention, 1989-1990
-
Joint Committees
- Refugee Resettlement and Immigration, 1983-1986
Scope and Content
The Doris Allen Papers consist of 7 cubic feet of textual records and audio cassettes reflecting Allen's legislative activities
during her term as a member of the California State Legislature. The collection is organized into the following record series:
Bill Files, 1983-1996; Correspondence, 1985-1993; Press Releases, 1983-1992; Prospective Legislation, 1981-1993; Speeches,
1986-1991; and Subject Files, 1985-1995.
The Bill Files are particularly useful for researchers interested in topics relating to education or wildlife in California.
Allen introduced legislation in order to reform school financing and vocational training. She also introduced legislation
intended to establish recreational fishing policies and to prohibit the use of gill, trammel, and trawl nets. Other topics
of note within this series include mandatory motorcycle helmets, refugee social services, and suction dredging.
The Correspondence, Press Releases, Prospective Legislation, Speeches, and Subject Files also document Allen's interests in
education, natural resources, and wildlife. The correspondence and press releases cover legislation introduced by Allen and
the issues affecting the 71st Assembly District. Allen considered prospective legislation concerning bilingual education,
health education, and the detection and treatment of child sexual abuse. She also kept substantial subject files on gill net
regulations, violence in schools, and vocational education.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Allen, Doris
California. Legislature. Assembly
California. Legislature. Assembly. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources