California Constitution Revision Commission collection, 1930-1974, bulk Bulk, 1965-1970

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Summary

Creators:
California Constitution Revision Commission.
Abstract:
The collection consists of the 1963 California Constitution Revision Commission files collected by Donald H. Pflueger while he served as a member of the commission including agendas, minutes, memorandums, correspondence and background material.
Extent:
4.0 Linear feet (10 manuscript boxes)
Language:
and Collection is in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 1998/10, California Constitutional Revision Commission collection, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library, California State University, Sacramento.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of three series: General Files, Working Files of the Constitutional Revision Commission, and Legislation and Voting Information.

Biographical / historical:

California's first Constitution was adopted in 1849, and the second Constitution was adopted in 1879. This second Constitution was very detailed and quite lengthy. Many unsuccessful attempts subsequently were made to revise the 1879 constitution. Between 1879 and 1962 the Constitution was amended over 300 times, increased from 16,000 to 75,000 words and became the fourth longest constitution in the world.

In 1962, the Legislature passed and the voters approved an amendment to article 18, which permitted the legislature to propose revisions of the constitution. Prior to this time overall revision was possible only by convention, and the legislature was permitted only to propose certain amendments.

In 1963, the Legislature establishes the Constitution Revision Commission, which began working on February 20, 1964. The Commission was composed of approximately 60 non-compensated citizens members, 6 legislative members and 16 ex-officio legislative members. The goal of the Commission was to make suggestions for change in the Constitution. Judge Bruce W. Summer was elected the Chairperson. The Commission was terminated on March 4, 1974.

This collection contains material used by Donald Pflueger while he was a member of the California Constitutional Revision Commission. In addition to background material, Mr. Pflueger kept agendas, minutes, memorandum, correspondence, and sample ballots and information that went to California voters. Material covers the time period of 1930 to 1974 with the majority of material covering the 1965-70 time period.

Mr. Pflueger taught for 31 years at Cal Poly, Pomona. He was a World War II veteran and served as U.S. cultural attache in Amman, Jordon and Jerusalem. He also served on the California Historical Resources Commission. Mr. Pflueger was the author of several articles and a book on the history of Cal Poly, Pomona.

Acquisition information:
The Constitution Revision Commission collection was given to the CSUS Special Collections and University Archives by Donald Pflueger in 1998.
Custodial history:

Donald Pflueger assembled these papers over many years as part of his effort to document the California Constitution Revision Commission.

Processing information:

Ruth Craft.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.

Terms of access:

Copyright is protected by 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, 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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 1998/10, California Constitutional Revision Commission collection, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library, California State University, Sacramento.

Location of this collection:
University Library, MS 6039
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819, US
Contact:
916-278-6144
lib-scua@csus.edu
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