Inventory of the Lucille Roybal-Allard Papers, 1987-1992

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Summary

Creators:
Roybal-Allard, Lucille
Abstract:
Lucille Roybal-Allard, Democrat, served in the California Assembly from 1987 to 1992, representing the 56th Assembly District. The Lucille Roybal-Allard Papers are organized into four series: Bill Files, Subject Files, Speeches, and Hearing Files.
Extent:
7 cubic feet of textual records, 7 videocassettes and 6 audiocassettes
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English

Background

Scope and content:

The Lucille Roybal-Allard Papers consist of 7 cubic feet of textual records, 7 videocassettes and 6 audiocassettes. These materials document Roybal-Allard's activities in the California State Assembly from 1987-1992. They are organized into four series: Bill Files, Subject Files, Speeches, and Hearing Files.

The Bill Files series reflects Roybal-Allard's long-standing interest in women's rights. Roybal-Allard consistently authored legislation to protect women in cases of domestic violence and sexual assault. AB4348 (1987-1988), AB237 (1989-1990), and AB371 (1991-1992) all dealt with domestic violence. The bills sought to add language to existing laws to make spousal abuse punishable and created preventative services for victims of domestic violence. She also authored numerous bills each session pertaining to different aspects of sexual assault. Most notable among these bills are AB4208 (1987-1988), which attempted to standardize hospital protocol for victims of sexual assault; AB2631 (1989-1990), which defined acquaintance rape and called for stricter punishments to be enforced; and AB365 (1991-1992), which sought to provide educational services and materials to university students about sexual assault and how to remain safe. Along the lines of sexual assault, Roybal-Allard also authored legislation to have the California Bar add bylaws that would require punishment for any attorney found guilty of sexually assaulting a client (AB415, 1989-1990). Roybal-Allard introduced multiple bills on education and preventative services concerning such subjects as domestic violence and sexual assault.

Roybal-Allard also took a great interest in the rights of immigrants in California. Her district had a large proportion of immigrants and she authored numerous bills to protect their rights. Of particular interest are AB3371 and AB3372 (1987-1988) which prevented the construction of a toxic waste incinerator in East Los Angeles County, a mostly immigrant region of her district. She also authored AJR50 (1987-1988), which called on legislators and the governor to allow amnesty to those who had fallen victim to threats or acts of terrorism from the Salvadorian "Death Squads". Other notable legislation related to immigration included AJR41 (1989-1990) which called for a moratorium of immigration raids while the 1990 census took place, and AJR47 (1987-1988) which allowed for family unity after the effects of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Another piece of notable legislation authored by Roybal-Allard for two consecutive sessions (AB408, 1989-1990; AB757, 1991-1992) was a bill to make safety standards on cigarette lighters more stringent. The idea behind the bill was to increase safety standards on cigarette lighters so that children could not injure themselves or start fires in their homes. The major concern over the bill was the cost but the bill finally became law (chapter 904) in 1991.

Biographical / historical:

Lucille Roybal-Allard, Democrat, was born in Los Angeles, California on June 12, 1941, to Congressman Edward Roybal and his wife, Lucille. She was raised in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, where she attended Euclid and St. Mary's Catholic Schools. Roybal-Allard received her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles, where she majored in speech therapy. Prior to being elected to the California Assembly, Roybal-Allard was active professionally and as a volunteer. Roybal-Allard served as the executive director of the National Association of Hispanic CPAs in Washington, D.C.;department manager for Community and Human Resources, Inc.; assistant director at the Alcoholism Council of East L.A; and a research assistant for Community Health Projects/ Drug Abuse and Prevention, Los Angeles County.

Roybal-Allard was elected to the California Assembly in 1987 in a special election after Gloria Molina left the Assembly for the Los Angeles City Council. Roybal-Allard won 58 percent of the vote. She represented the 56th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Commerce, Maywood, Vernon, and parts of Los Angeles, including the downtown, Bell Gardens and Royal Heights areas, and the unincorporated East Los Angeles area. Roybal-Allard fought against the construction of a prison in Hispanic areas of Los Angeles during her time as an Assemblywoman. Other legislation by Roybal-Allard required the California State Bar to set standards for punishing attorneys for improper sexual conduct with clients. Additionally, she carried bills to protect the environment, with an emphasis on stopping incineration of hazardous wastes. Bills on protecting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as legislation that made it a misdemeanor to harass someone with repeated telephone calls were also introduced by Roybal-Allard.

In 1992, Roybal-Allard successfully ran for the U.S House of Representatives, taking the 33rd Congressional District, which was later renumbered as the 34th Congressional District after the 2000 Census. She has been reelected seven times and currently holds the office today. She is married to Edward Allard III and together they have four children: Lisa, Ricardo, Angela and Guy-Mark.In 1992, Roybal-Allard successfully ran for the U.S House of Representatives, taking the 33rd Congressional District, which was later renumbered as the 34th Congressional District after the 2000 Census. She has been reelected seven times and currently holds the office today. She is married to Edward Allard III and together they have four children: Lisa, Ricardo, Angela and Guy-Mark.

According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks) and the Assembly Final History, Roybal-Allard served on the following Assembly committees:

Standing Committees

Health, 1987-1992

Labor and Employment, 1987-1988

Local Government, 1987-1988

Rules, 1991-1992

Transportation, 1989-1990

Utilities and Commerce, 1987-1992

Ways and Means, 1989-1992

Subcommittees

Immigration in the Workplace, Chair, 1897-1988

Ways and Means #1, 1989-1990

Select Committees

Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault, Chair, 1989-1990

Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website