Inventory of the Peter R. (Pete) Chacon 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 Peter Chacon Papers

Collection number: LP132, LP165, LP174, LP179, LP202, LP203, LP212, LP223, LP432

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Kim Mitchell
Date Completed:: January 2012
Encoded by:: Cori Schmidtbauer

Descriptive Summary

Title: Peter Chacon Papers

Dates: 1971-1992

Collection number: LP132, LP165, LP174, LP179, LP202, LP203, LP212, LP223, LP432

Creator: Peter Chacon, California Legislator

Collection Size: 16 cubic feet

Repository: California State Archives

Sacramento, California

Abstract: Peter R. Chacon, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member from 1971 to 1992, and represented the 79th District. One of the first Latinos elected to the California Legislature, Chacon was one of five founding members of the Chicano Legislative Caucus in 1973. The Peter R. Chacon Papers contain eight record series dating over a 22-year time period (1971-1992) and include 16 cubic feet of textual records. The eight record series include: Bill Files (1971-1992), Correspondence (1971-1980), Chronological Correspondence (1971-1985), Bilingual Education Files (1975-1987), People of Color Aids Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files (1987-1988), Task Force on Substance Abuse Files (1989-1990), Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files (1985-1991), and Subject Files (1971-1992).

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], Peter Chacon Papers, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial History

The California State Archives acquired the Peter Chacon Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.

Biography

Peter R. Chacon, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member from 1971 to 1992. His 79th District included Lemon Grove, Coronado, National City, parts of San Diego, and Chula Vista in San Diego County.

Chacon was born in 1925 in Phoenix, Arizona. One of seven children, he spent many hours of his youth working in the beet fields. He joined the Air Force in 1943 and was a decorated World War II veteran upon his honorable discharge in 1945. His family moved to San Diego in 1946. In 1949, he enrolled at San Diego Community College. In 1952, he met Jean Louise Picone through the Catholic Youth Organization and they married the following year. Chacon received a Bachelor of Arts and elementary school teaching credential in 1954 and a Master's of School Administration in 1960 from San Diego State University. For over ten years, he taught at elementary, junior high, and high schools and served as a vice-principal within the San Diego area before joining the Legislature. Peter and Jean Louise have four sons, Chris, Paul, Ralph, and Jeff. As of 1997, Peter lived in Placerville teaching English to farm workers through his church.

Chacon was an active member of his Southern California community. He was a member of many local chapters of national organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Knights of Columbus, National Conference of Christians and Jews, and Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary education fraternity. In 1969, he helped to organize a confederation of Mexican-American organizations in San Diego County. He also served on several community boards such as the GI Forum and the Salvation Army.

In his first bid for elective office, Chacon received 55% of the vote against the incumbent Tom Hom (Republican) in 1970. He would successfully hold the 79th District for the next ten elections. One of the first Latinos elected to the California Legislature, Chacon was one of five founding members of the Chicano Legislative Caucus in 1973. He would chair this caucus for fourteen consecutive years. Chacon retired from the Assembly in 1992.

During his tenure in the Legislature, Peter Chacon was a member of the following committees:

State Assembly, 1971-1992

Leadership
Chicano Legislative Caucus, 1973-1991 (Chair, 1978-1991)
Chair, 1978-1991
Standing Committees
Aging, 1981-1982 (Vice Chair, 1981-1982)
Vice-Chair, 1981-1982
Banking Finance, and Bonded Indebtedness, 1991-1992
Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials, 1981-1982
Education, 1971-1972 (Vice Chair, 1971-1972)
Vice-Chair, 1971-1972
Elections and Reapportionment, 1979-1980, 1985-1986
Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments, 1983-1984, 1987-1992(Chair, 1987-1992)
Chair, 1987-1992
Finance and Insurance, 1973, 1983-1990
Government Administration, 1973
Governmental Efficiency and Consumer Protection, 1987-1990
Governmental Organization, 1991-1992
Housing and Community Development, 1975-1978, 1983-1990 (Chair, 1975-1978, 1983-1984)
Chair, 1975-1978, 1983-1984
Human Resources, 1977-1978
Human Services, 1983-1984
International Trade and Intergovernmental Relations, 1987-1988
Labor Relations, 1971-1972
Natural Resources and Conservation, 1971-1972
Policy Research, 1985-1986 (Chair, 1985-1986)
Chair, 1985-1986
Public Employees and Retirement, 1975-1982
Revenue and Taxation, 1991-1992
Urban Development and Housing, 1971-1973 (chair, 1973)
Chair, 1973
Veteran's Affairs, 1985-1986
Ways and Means, 1975-1976, 1979-1982
Select Committees
California-Mexico Affairs, 1991-1992
Manpower Development, 1972-1973
San Diego Foster Care Programs, 1973
Utility Performance, Rates, and Regulations, 1983-1984
Joint Committees
Educational Goals and Evaluation, 1972-1973
State's Economy, 1975-1992
Subcommittees
Bilingual/Bicultural Education (Special), 1976-1978 (Chair, 1976-1978)
Chair, 1976-1978
Education (Ways and Means), 1979-1980
Housing Finance, 1972-1973 (Chair, 1972-1973)
Chair, 1972-1973
Commissions
Aging, 1972-1973
Equal Educational Opportunities, 1975-1986
The Californias, 1975-1992

Scope and Content

The Peter R. Chacon Papers contain eight record series dating over a 22-year time period (1971-1992) and include 16 cubic feet of textual records. The eight record series include: Bill Files, Correspondence, Chronological Correspondence, Bilingual Education Files, People of Color Aids Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files, Task Force on Substance Abuse Files, Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files, and Subject Files. The Bill Files (1971-1992) document his advocacy of education, healthcare, and affordable housing during his twelve terms as a member of the California State Legislature. The Correspondence (1971-1980) and Chronological Correspondence (1971-1985) series document the daily workings of Chacon's offices as well as personal life events. The Bilingual Education Files, 1975-1987, record Chacon's commitment to promoting bilingualism and biculturalism in California's public schools. The People of Color AIDS Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files, 1987-1988, highlight Chacon's concern regarding the epidemic that was concentrated among minority peoples. The Task Force on Substance Abuse Files, 1989-1990, record Chacon's involvement in combating gangs, drugs, and addiction in San Diego County. The Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files, 1985-1991, document Chacon's dedication to achieving work force parity for Hispanics in state agencies. The Subject Files, 1971-1992, contain information on a variety of topics of interest to Chacon such as labor, housing, political campaigns, and healthcare.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Chacon, Peter

California. Legislature. Assembly

Education, Bilingual - California

LP132, LP165, LP174, LP179, LP202, LP203, LP212, LP223, LP432

Series 1 Bill Files 1971-1992

Physical Description: 257 file folders

Arrangement

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

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements, and other information. Chacon both authored and sponsored numerous bills on a variety of topics such as workman's compensation for juveniles (AB876, 1972), landlord-tenant grievance resolution (AB89, 1977-1978), tideland grants (AB47, 1979-1980), residential utility consumers (AB45, 1983-1984), services for the homeless (AB2839, 1985-1986), voter registration reforms (AB1204 and AB 4360, 1987-1988), school district election reform (AB2, 1989-1990), and privacy of postsecondary student information (AB771, 1991-1992). However, his primary interests were bilingual education and affordable housing. Examples of this include: AB1329 (1975-1976) The Chacon-Mascone Bilingual Bicultural Education Act; AB2817 (1973-1974) Bilingual Teacher Training Corps; AB1112 (1991-1992) Language Acquisition Program; and AB1X (1975-1976) creation of the Housing Finance Authority.

1971: AB881-AB3029, ACA82, ACR63 (LP132:28-33)

1972: AB144-AB2293, ACA79, ACR's, AJR's, Resolutions (LP132:34-40)

1973-1974: AB296-AB4416, ACA's, ACR's, AJR's, Resolutions (LP165:188-206)

1975-1976: AB116-AB4512, ACA101, ACR's, AJR's, Resolutiions (LP132:188-206)

1975: AB1x (LP174:254-255)

1977-1978: AB88-AB3749, ACR36-ACR122, AJR1-AJR57 (LP179:79-95)

1979-1980: AB3-AB3433, ACA29, ACR42, ACR74, AJR16, AJR94, JRCR's (LP202:245-253, LP203:1-20)

1981-1982: AB278-AB3737, ACA75, ACR98-ACR119, AJR69-AJR130, HR43-HR48, JRCR's, MR's (LP212:15-31)

1983-1984: AB45-AB3944, ACR38-ACR83, AJR4-AJR99, HR41, JRCR's, MR's (LP223:169-201)

1985-1986: AB541-AB4383, AJR56, ARCR70, JRCR's, MR's (LP165:207-223)

1987-1988: AB91-AB4678, ACA17-ACA35, ACR95-ACR150, AJR74 (LP432: 1-49)

1989-1990: AB2-AB4359, ACR16-ACR168, HR36-HR43 (LP432:50-78)

1991-1992: AB116-AB3749, ACA33, AJR38-AJR85 (LP432:79-91)

LP432:92-108

Series 2 Correspondence 1971-1980

Physical Description: 17 file folders

Arrangement

Correspondence files are arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the recipient's last name, and then in reverse chronological order.

Scope and Content Note

These files are primarily copies of outgoing replies to letters received. Files may also include news clippings, notes, memoranda, original letters, reports, court proceedings, and resolutions. Letters may be personal or professional in nature. Correspondents include constituents, other legislators, lobbyists, media representatives, friends, community and local government leaders, and family. Types of letters include comments and suggestions about legislative language, event reminders, thank-you letters, legislative and constituent concerns, and recommendations for appointments.

The researcher should note that "Mc" precedes "M" in this series; it may be beneficial to request both when searching for any "M" last name. The researcher should also note that there may be overlap between the two Correspondence series.

LP432:109-121

Series 3 Chronological Correspondence Files 1971-1985

Physical Description: 13 file folders

Arrangement

Chronological Correspondence Files are arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

These files are primarily copies of outgoing replies to letters received. There is only one file for 1978-1981. Files may also include news clippings, notes, memoranda, original letters, reports, court proceedings, resolutions, travel invoices, and invitations. Letters may be personal or professional in nature. Correspondents include constituents, other legislators, lobbyists, media representatives, friends, community and local government leaders, and family. Types of letters include comments and suggestions about legislative language, event reminders, thank-you letters, legislative and constituent concerns, and recommendations for appointments.

The researcher should note that there may be overlap between the two Correspondence series.

LP432:122-142

Series 4 Bilingual Education Files 1975-1987

Physical Description: 21 file folders

Arrangement

Bilingual Eduation Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

The Bilingual Education Files document Chacon's dedication to the passage of and improvement to Bilingual Education in California's public schools. Files include correspondence, reports, memoranda, court cases, testimony, agendas, mailings, amendments, Legislative Counsel Opinions, public statements and press releases, news clippings, bill analyses, and statistical data. Some files record Chacon's participation on the Subcommittee for Bilingual Bicultural Education, while other files record his efforts to pass bilingual education legislation such as The Chacon-Mascone Bilingual Bicultural Education Act of 1972 (AB2284) and AB1329 (1976), a comprehensive follow-up bill to support the 1972 Act.

LP432:143-149

Series 5 People of Color AIDS Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files 1987-1988

Physical Description: 7 file folders

Arrangement

People of Color AIDS Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

This series documents the work of the People of Color AIDS Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force, which operated out of San Diego County. Chacon's Chief of Staff, Irma Munoz, was a member. Files include agendas, correspondence, memoranda, reports, budgets, press releases, grant applications, pamphlets, notes, and news clippings. Most files pertain to either the grant proposal to the Centers for Disease Control or the Conference on AIDS Education and Prevention in San Diego County.

LP432:150-167

Series 6 Task Force on Substance Abuse Files 1989-1990

Physical Description: 18 file folders

Arrangement

Task Force on Substance Abuse Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

This series documents the work of the Task Force on Substance Abuse, which operated out of San Diego County and of which Chacon was a member. Files include news clippings, correspondence, memoranda, amendments, press releases, reports, testimony, agendas, minutes, notes, and pamphlets. The task force sponsored one major conference, titled "Drug Babies x3: Mothers, Babies, and Society," held on January 26 and 27, 1990. Many files concern the meetings of both the entire body as well as the subcommittees. The subcommittees were Drug Babies, Parks and Recreation, Treatment and Facilities, Outreach and Media, and Urban Youth Revitalization. The files also document Chacon's legislation related to substance abuse issues: AB741, AB2684, AB2685, and AB3533 (all 1989-1990).

LP432:168-225

Series 7 Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files 1985-1991

Physical Description: 58 file folders

Arrangement

Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files are arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

The Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files pertain to Chacon's intensive involvement in this statewide legislative task force. ACR145 (Resolution Chapter 144, Statutes of 1988) created the task force in order to assess the efforts of state agencies in achieving work force parity for Hispanics. The task force was required to survey other states and various local government bodies to identify specific policies that may be useful for implementation in California. The task force was also mandated to produce a final report with findings and recommendations. The subcommittees were Legislative and Litigation, Compliance Review, Strategic Plan, and Public Information. The task force held many public hearings and private meetings with state agency representatives between 1989 and 1990. Recurring topics include the Hispanic Legislative Caucus, State Personnel Board, affirmative action, and the Hispanic Employment Link Program (H.E.L.P.).

LP432:226-440

Series 8 Subject Files 1971-1992

Physical Description: 215 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 Chacon. The files include correspondence, reports, amendments, articles, pamphlets, newsletters, testimony, agendas, minutes, notes, memoranda, background material, news clippings, speeches, and press releases. In addition to Chacon's primary legislative interest in education, housing, and healthcare, he showed concern for the problems surrounding homelessness and gangs, and advocated for the rights of the elderly, homosexuals, and minorities.

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