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Finding Aid for the Esteban Torres Papers 1949-1998 CSRC.0125
CSRC.0125  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
Esteban Torres served eight terms in the United States House of Representatives as the Congressman for southeastern Los Angeles County. Prior to that he was an activist and labor organizer, the United States ambassador to UNESCO, and Special Assistant to the President for Hispanic Affairs under Jimmy Carter. This collection consists of his working papers, correspondence, and photographs. There is also a small amount of personal material.
Background
Esteban Torres was born January 27, 1930 in Miami, Arizona. As a young boy, he moved to East Los Angeles with his mother and grandmother. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army, serving at Fort Belvoir near Washington, D.C. during the Korean War. After his military service, he worked on the assembly line at a Chrysler plant in Los Angeles, and became active in the United Auto Workers union. UAW president Walter Reuther asked Torres to spearhead the creation of The East Los Angeles Communtiy Union (TELACU), a community development corporation intended to fight poverty in Chicano and other disadvantaged communities. Later, President Jimmy Carter asked Torres to become ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). After two years in that post, Carter asked him to serve as Special Assistant to the President for Hispanic Affairs. In 1982 Torres was elected to the United States House of Representatives for the newly drawn 34th congressional district, which encompassed much of southeatern Los Angeles County. Active in the Democratic Party and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he served on a variety of different committees and eventually became Deputy Democratic Whip. In 1998, he chose not to run for re-election and retired from the House at the end of the term.
Extent
105.0 linear feet (104 record storage cartons; 1 oversize flat box)
Restrictions
These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.
Availability
Open for research.