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Guide to the Joe Serna, Jr. papers, 1939-1999 (1992-1999)
MSS 2004/19  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition note
  • Scope and Contents note
  • Processing Information note
  • Preferred Citation note
  • Biographical/Historical note
  • Accruals note
  • Conditions Governing Use note
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition note
  • Conditions Governing Access note

  • Title: Joe Serna, Jr. papers
    Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2004/19
    Contributing Institution: California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 108.0 Linear feet (57 record cartons and 51 manuscript boxes)
    Date (bulk): Bulk, 1992-1999
    Date (inclusive): 1939-1999
    Abstract: The collection contains papers, correspondence, and teaching aids pertaining to the educational and professional life of Joe Serna, Jr., college professor and mayor of Sacramento, California.
    Language of Materials note: Collection materials for Joe Serna, Jr. are in English and Spanish.
    creator: Serna, Joe, Jr.
    creator: United Farm Workers of America.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition note

    The Joe Serna, Jr. papers were donated to the CSUS Special Collections and University Archives by Phillip Serna in 2004.

    Scope and Contents note

    The following collection includes personal papers, photographs, artifacts, audiovisuals, textiles, books, posters, ephemera, and memorabilia collected by Joe Serna, Jr. during his lifetime as a professor and mayor. Originally 109 boxes, the content has since been weeded and organized to best reflect the scholarly and professional work of Joe Serna, Jr.
    There are eighteen main series pertaining to the Joe Serna, Jr. papers consisting of Biographical; Cesar Chavez and the Unified Farm Workers; California State University, Sacramento; Campaign and Election Materials; Boards and Commission Files; Mayor's Commission on Education; Correspondence; Personal Name Files; Subject and Issue Files; Cultural and Ethnic Groups Files; Calendar, Appointment, and Phone Logs; General Clerical and Office Financial Files; City Code and City Charter; Plaques, Memorabilia, and Ephemera; Photographs; Framed Items and Posters; and Banners and Flags.
    In particular, this collection derives from Serna's office which focus heavily on his political years.

    Processing Information note

    Processed by Ruth Craft, California State University, Sacramento - History Student. Supervised by Sheila O'Neill, Head of Special Collections and University Archives.

    Preferred Citation note

    [Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2004/19, Joe Serna, Jr. papers, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library, California State University, Sacramento.

    Biographical/Historical note

    Joe Serna, Jr. was born on September 3, 1939 in Stockton, California. He was raised in the small community of Acampo near Lodi, California and graduated from Lodi High School in 1958. He worked for two years at Helilite Sheet Metal Company before entering college. He attended Stockton College and then Sacramento City College where he received his A.A. degree. He then attended Sacramento State College and graduated in 1966 with a degree in Social Science / Government. He and his first wife Evelyn then entered the Peace Corps and served in Guatemala.
    Upon returning to California, Serna began graduate school at the University of California, Davis. Serna completed an internship with Senator Mervyn Dymally during his graduate studies. After his return from Guatemala, Serna became increasingly active in local politics and with Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement in California. In 1969, Serna began work as a part-time instructor at Sacramento State in the Government and Ethnic Studies Departments. Serna went on to become a professor and taught at Sacramento State for thirty years, except for a leave of absence from 1975 to 1977 when he worked for Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally as his education advisor.
    Serna married his second wife, Isabel Hernandez, in 1981. Serna was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1982 and was elected as Mayor of Sacramento in 1992. During his tenure, Serna addressed such issues as the need to improve the city school system and to revitalize the downtown area. Increasingly, he focused on economic development of the city and the region and worked to bring business to the area. In 1997, Serna was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Board of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Serna died on November 7, 1999 of cancer.

    Accruals note

    No additions are expected.

    Conditions Governing Use note

    Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives. Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition note

    The Joe Serna, Jr. papers were given to the CSUS Special Collections and Faculty Archives by his son, Phil Serna, in 2004.

    Conditions Governing Access note

    Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Serna, Joe, Jr.
    Serna, Phillip
    United Farm Workers of America.
    California--Politics and government.
    Education
    Mayors -- California -- Sacramento
    Schools
    United States--Politics and government.