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Inventory of the
Louis J. (Lou) Papan Papers
LP425
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Table of contents
Title: Louis Papan Papers
Dates: 1973-2002
Collection number: LP425
Creator:
Louis Papan, California Legislator
Collection Size:
17.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Lou Papan was a man of many names. Born Elias Papandricoupolos to Greek immigrant parents; called "The Enforcer" for his
tendency to punish recalcitrant members with smaller staffs and offices; called "Leadfoot Lou" for the speeding tickets he
received racing home to the bay area from Sacramento every night to be with his ailing son; and, finally, called "The Conciliator"
for advocating civility between members during his second tenure in the assembly. Louis John Papan, Democrat, was a State
Assembly Member, 1972-1986 and 1996-2002. The Louis J. Papan Papers contain seven series covering a 30-year time period: Bill
Files, 1973-1986 and 1997-2002; Capitol Restoration Files, 1974-1998; news clippings, 1977-2002; press releases, 1973-2002;
Southern Pacific Railroad files, 1973-1979; speeches, 1975-1985; and subject files, 1973-2000.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
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.
[Identification of item], Louis Papan Papers, LP425:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of
State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The California State Archives acquired the Louis Papan Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.
Lou Papan was a man of many names. Born Elias Papandricoupolos to Greek immigrant parents; called "The Enforcer" for his
tendency to punish recalcitrant members with smaller staffs and offices; called "Leadfoot Lou" for the speeding tickets he
received racing home to the bay area from Sacramento every night to be with his ailing son; and, finally, called "The Conciliator"
for advocating civility between members during his second tenure in the assembly. Louis John Papan, Democrat, was a State
Assembly Member, 1972-1986 and 1996-2002. His 27th District included Daly City, Millbrae, Pacifica, and San Bruno within
San Mateo County. Following redistricting in 1974, he represented the 19th District which included cities such as Colma and
parts of San Francisco. He was born on August 2, 1928, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He served in the Army during World
War II. In 1951, he received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Syracuse University. After college, he entered the Air
Force and served during the Korean Conflict. He then worked as an FBI agent from 1955 to 1958. In 1958, he moved to San
Mateo County with his wife, Irene C. Damis, to establish an insurance and real estate brokerage. Louis and Irene had three
children, John V., Virginia (Gina), and Diane. Papan died of a heart attack, aged 78, in 2007.
Papan was an active member of his community. He was a member of many local organizations including the San Mateo County Mental
Health Association, the California Society of the Neurologically Handicapped, the Society of Former FBI Agents, Sierra Club,
and the Commonwealth Club. Elected to the Daly City Council in 1970, Papan also held memberships in several political organizations.
These included the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the North County Council of Cities, the San Mateo County Development
Association, and the League of California Cities.
Papan was elected to the State Assembly in 1972 and served until 1986. As a freshman assembly member, he was appointed Speaker
Pro Tempore from 1974-1976. As chair of the Assembly Rules Committee for ten years, Papan was considered a powerful political
force. He gave up his Assembly seat to run for the 8th District of the State Senate, but he lost the general election to
Quentin Kopp. From 1987 to 1994, he was a member of the California Medical Assistance Commission. In 1996, he successfully
regained his State Assembly seat representing the 19th District with 55.7% of the voters in his favor. Facing term limits,
he openly transferred his remaining campaign funds to his daughter, Gina Papan, in her unsuccessful bid for the same assembly
seat in 2002.
- Standing Committees
- Appropriations, 1997-2002
- Banking and Finance, (Chair 1997-2002)
- Chair, 1997-2002
- Budget, 1997-2002
- Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments, 1997-1998
- Finance and Insurance, 1983-1986
- Finance, Insurance, and Commerce, 1975-1982
- Housing and Community Development, 1975-1976, 1997-1998
- Insurance, 1997-1998
- Policy Research Management, 1979-1982
- Public Employees and Retirement, 1983-1986
- Public Investments, Finance, and Bonded Indebtedness, 1985-1986
- Retirement, 1973-1974
- Revenue and Taxation, 1973-1974, 1997-1998
- Rules, (Chair, 1977-1986)
- Chair, 1977-1986
- Transportation, 1973-74, 1977-1986 (Vice-Shair, 1973-1974 Utilities and Commerce, Ways and Means, 1975-1976)
- Vice-Chair, 1973-1974 Utilities and Commerce, 1997-2002 Ways and Means, 1975-1976
- Select Committees
- California Horse Racing Industry, 1997-1998
- Department of Motor Vehicles, 2001-2002
- Genetic Diseases, 1983-1984
- Mass Transit, 1981-1982
- Plastic Pipe Oversight, (Chair, 1983-1984)
- Chair, 1983-1984
- Veteran's Affairs, 1997-1998
- Joint Committees
- Rules, (Chair, 1979-198)
- Chair, 1979-1986
- Subcommittees
- Health and Welfare (Ways and Means), (Chair, 1975-1976)
- Chair, 1975-1976
- Investment Practices, (Chair, 1981-1984)
- Chair, 1981-1984
- Licensing and Vocational Standards (Finance, Insurance, and Commerce), (Chair, 1975-1976)
- Chair, 1975-1976
- San Francisco Peninsula Commuter Service (Interim) (Transportation), (Chair, 1974-1979)
- Chair, 1974-1979
- State Administration (Budget #4), 1997-2002
The Louis J. Papan Papers contain seven series covering a 30-year time period. The largest series is the Bill Files, 1973-1986
and 1997-2002. The bill files document his advocacy of privacy, independent business owners, and the elderly during his ten
terms as a member of the California State Legislature. The Capitol Restoration Files, 1974-1998, document the progress of
the restoration of the State Capitol building during Papan's chairmanship of the Joint Rules Committee. The news clippings,
1977-2002, contain news articles which mention Papan, his voting record, or editorial opinions regarding legislation authored
or supported by him. The press releases, 1973-2002, originate from Papan's office and were directed toward his constituents
regarding legislation affecting the 19th District. The Southern Pacific Railroad files, 1973-1979, record the legal proceedings
involving the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Subcommittee on San Francisco Peninsula Commuter Service. The speeches, 1975-1985,
pertain to Papan's public speaking engagements from his first tenure in the Assembly. The subject files, 1973-2000, contain
information on a variety of topics of interest to Papan.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Papan, Louis J., 1928-
California. Legislature. Assembly
California. Legislature. Assembly. Committee on Ways and Means. Subcommittee #1 on Health and Welfare
Southern Pacific Railroad Company