Inventory of the Louis J. (Lou) Papan Papers

Processed by Kim Mitchell

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Phone: (916) 653-2246

Fax: (916) 653-7363

Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov

URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/

Inventory of the Louis Papan Papers

Collection number: LP425

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Kim Mitchell
Date Completed:: January 2011
Encoded by:: Cori Schmidtbauer

Descriptive Summary

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

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], 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.

Biography

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.

State Assembly, 1979-1994

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

Scope and Content

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.

Indexing Terms

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

LP425:1-271

Series 1 Bill Files 1973-2002

Physical Description: 271 file folders

Arrangement

Bill files are arranged chronologically by legislative session and numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files created by Lou Papan may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements, and other information. Papan both authored and sponsored numerous bills on a variety of topics such as confidentiality of DMV records (AB1083, 1973-1974), pre-need funeral arrangements (AB201, 1981-1982; AB145, 1983-1984; and AB1804, 1985-1986), regulation of steel-jawed animal traps (AB1114, 1983-1984), campaign statements (AB1863, 1997-1998), National World War II Memorial (SB703, 1999-2000), and revisions to the Political Reform Act (AB746, AB974, 1999-2000). However, his primary interests were Medi-Cal and the insurance industry. Examples of this include: AB3072 (1979-1980) Health Facilities and Medi-Cal Rates, AB1229 (1983-1984) Medi-Cal Eligibility, AB469 (1999-2000) Medi-Cal Enrollment, AB640 (1973-1974) Insurance Solicitation, AB841 (1975-1976) Insurance Brokers, SB319 (1997-1998) Title Insurance Coverage, and AB966 (1999-2000) Damages to Car Rentals.

1973-1974: AB190-AB2901 (LP425:1-12)

1975-1976: AB112-AB4248 (LP425:13-40)

1977-1978: Legislative Status of Authored Bills (LP425:41)

1979-1980: AB815-AB3487 (LP425:42-53)

1981-1982: AB201-AB3715; ACA63; ACR13-ACR95; HR7-HR11; AB15X (LP425:54-73)

1983-1984: AB45-AB1229 (LP425:74-93)

1985-1986: AB50-AB4412; ACA31; ACR14-ACR163; AJR82-AJR83 (LP425:94-143)

1997-1998: AB126-AB2814; ACA8; ACR27-ACR187; AJR76 (LP425:144-204)

1997-1998: SB225-SB1575; SCA35 (LP425:205-209)

1999-2000: AB177-AB2808; ACA2-ACA21; ACR11; AJR19-AJR67; HR7 (LP425:210-250)

1999-2000: SB122-SB703; SCR68 (LP425:251-252)

2001-2002: AB237-AB3051; ACA3-ACA12; ACR125-ACR241; AJR48 (LP425:253-271)

LP425:272-291

Series 2 Capitol Restoration Files 1974-1998

Physical Description: 20 file folders

Arrangement

Capitol Restoration Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

These files document the progress of the restoration of the State Capitol building. In 1972, the State Capitol was declared seismically unsafe. From 1976 to 1982, the Capitol underwent extensive construction. This $70 million project was the object of much publicity and criticism, and won an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 1983. Papan was chair of the Joint Rules Committee during much of this period and, as such, was responsible for much of the oversight and funding of this historic undertaking. The files may include correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, transcripts, event programs, invoices, contracts, and news clippings. Significant topics include the Area Plan, the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Leon Ralph (former chair of Joint Rules), Subcommittee on Capitol Restoration, the re-opening Gala, various reports, and the sculpture "Columbus' Last Appeal to Isabella."

LP425:292-304

Series 3 News Clippings 1977-2002

Physical Description: 13 file folders

Arrangement

News Clippings are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

These files contain news articles which mention Lou Papan, his voting record, or editorial opinions regarding legislation authored or supported by him. The files may include news clippings from local and major newspapers, newsletters, and trade journals. Significant topics include Medi-Cal, legislator's wages, and education.

LP425:305-313

Series 4 Press Releases 1973-2002

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

Press Releases are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

These files contain press releases and related materials from Lou Papan's office directed toward his constituents regarding legislation affecting the 19th Assembly District as well as other bills authored or sponsored by Papan. These press releases typically describe why the assembly member voted a certain way and provide quotes of his recent statements.

LP425:314-394

Series 5 Southern Pacific Railroad Files 1973-1979

Physical Description: 81 file folders, 28 dictabelts

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Arrangement

Southern Pacific Railroad Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

These files document the legal proceedings involving the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Subcommittee on San Francisco Peninsula Commuter Service. In 1974, Southern Pacific Peninsulas Commuter Service filed an application to increase fares by 111%. In response, this Assembly Transportation subcommittee held hearings from 1974-1979. Papan, both as chair of the subcommittee and a representative of an affected Bay Area region, was invested in this case. The files may include minutes, subcommittee hearing transcripts and agendas, memoranda, correspondence, reports, Attorney General Opinions, and background material. Significant topics include Peninsula Transit Alternatives Project (PENTAP), Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and (Public Utilities Commission) Application #57289.

Audio materials have been removed to cold storage and separation sheets are included within the file folders to indicate this. Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

For a list of subject headings see Appendix A at the California State Archives.

LP425:395-404

Series 6 Speeches 1975-1985

Physical Description: 10 file folders

Arrangement

Speeches are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

These files pertain to Lou Papan's public speaking engagements from his first tenure in the Assembly. The files may include press releases, correspondence, note cards, draft and final versions of speeches, summary legislation, and news clippings. Papan typically spoke to groups in Sacramento and within San Mateo County. Examples of organizations Papan addressed include Greater Daly City Chamber of Commerce, San Mateo Council of Mayors, California Autobody Association, Millbrae Historical Society, and the National Association of Insurance Women (Northern California Chapter). Significant events include Skyline College's graduation, Annual Judges' Dinner, and a Roast for Jack Fenton. Some common themes in Papan's speeches include consumer protection, financial regulation, and health care reform.

LP425:405-425

Series 7 Subject Files 1975-1985

Physical Description: 21 file folders

Arrangement

Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files contain information on a variety of topics of interest to Papan. The files may include correspondence, Legislative Counsel Opinions, notes, memoranda, background material, news clippings, speeches, and press releases. Significant topics include Armenia, Greece, Lupus, San Bruno Mountain, and term limits.

For a list of subject headings see Appendix B at the California State Archives.