Description
Barry Keene, Democrat served in the California State Assembly 1972-1978 and California State Senate, 1978-1992. The Barry
Keene papers contain eighty-five feet of records representing many of Keene's concerns and goals for his districts and California
as a whole during his twenty years in the California State Legislature.
Background
Hailing from California's politically liberal north coast, Barry Keene has been one of the Golden State's most outspoken Democratic
legislators. Born in 1938 in New Jersey, he went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Jurisprudence degrees from Stanford University
in 1960 and 1964, respectfully. After a brief career as an attorney in Santa Rosa, Keene was elected to the California State
Assembly in 1972. Keene represented California's 2nd Assembly District, encompassing Del Norte, northern Sonoma, Humboldt,
Mendocino, and Lake counties. During his time in the Assembly, Keene chaired the Committee on Health, authoring key legislation
designed to reform medical malpractice lawsuits and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). In 1978, Keene was elected to
represent the 2nd Senatorial District in the California State Senate, where he chaired the Judiciary Committee and served
as majority leader from 1985 to 1992. Addressing concerns in his home district, Keene authored numerous bills on environmental
protection throughout his political career. A controversial figure in many respects, he also authored a number of idealistic
bills that were ultimately defeated, including one to split the state in two, and another to decriminalize marijuana. After
several conflicts with San Francisco politician Willie Brown and Governor George Deukmejian, Keene became disillusioned with
politics, retiring from the State Senate in 1992.
Restrictions
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.