Inventory of the Helen Thomson Papers

Processed by Gayle O’Hara
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/
© 2022
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Helen Thomson Papers

Collection number: LP489

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Gayle O’Hara
Date Completed:
April 2017
Encoded by:
Stephanie Geller
© 2017 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Helen Thomson Papers
Dates: 1997-2002
Collection number: LP489
Creator: Helen Thomson, California Legislator
Collection Size: 18 cubic feet of textual records, 14 videocassettes, 4 audiocassettes, and 1 box of artifacts
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: California legislator Helen Thomson served as a State Assembly Member from 1997-2002. The Helen Thomson Papers consist of The Helen Thomson papers consist of 18 cubic feet of textual records, 14 videocassettes, 4 audiocassettes, and 1 box of artifacts reflecting the interests and political activities of Thomson during her 6 years in the California State Legislature. The records contain three series: bill files, administrative files, committee member files, subject files, research files, correspondence, hearing files, and Artifacts from 1976 to 2002.
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], Helen Thomson papers, LP489:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial history

California State Archives acquired the Helen Thomson papers in a series of five transfers beginning in 2000 (Accession Numbers: 2000-07-10; 2002-054; 2002-175; 2002-266; and 2004-188).

Biography

Helen Thomson, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member from 1997 to 2002. Thomson represented the 8th Assembly District, which covered most of Solano and Yolo counties and southwestern Sacramento County. Cities include Benicia, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Isleton, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters and Woodland, as well as the Sacramento Delta communities of Courtland and Walnut Grove.
Helen Thomson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on June 8, 1940. She graduated from Boston’s McLean Hospital School of Nursing in 1961 and is a Registered Nurse. She established California residence upon moving to Davis in 1965. From 1974 to 1986, she served on the Davis Joint Unified School Board and from 1986 to 1996 on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors.
Helen Thomson was the President of the California Elected Women’s Association for Education and Research (CEWEAR) from 1990 to 1991. She served as the 2nd Vice-President for the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) from 1994 to 1995, and as the 1st Vice-President from 1995 to 1996.
Heelen Thomson was elected to the State Assembly in 1996 and continued there until she was termed out in 2002. Her areas of particular interest during her tenure concerned mental and physical health and women’s issues. In her first year in the State Assembly, she was recognized by multiple organizations for her accomplishments. She was awarded Legislator of the Year from the Disabled State Service; Disability Advocate Award from the Easter Seals Society of Sacramento; the Water Reuse Award from the Association of California Water Agencies; and Legislator of the Year Award from the State Association of County Auditors. Helen Thomson’s district had a diverse economy ranging from Travis Air Force Base to a large brewery, retail businesses, oil refineries and agriculture. Her district included the University of California, Davis, one of the nation’s leading agricultural research schools.
After her final term in the California State Assembly, Helen Thomson was re-elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and served there from 2002 to 2010. She retired in 2010.

Scope and Content

The Helen Thomson papers consist of 18 cubic feet of textual records, 14 videocassettes, 4 audiocassettes, and 1 box of artifacts reflecting Thomson’s activities during her time as a State Assembly Member from 1997 until 2002. The collection is organized into the following record series: Bill Files, 1997-2002; Administrative Files, 1994-2002; Committee Member Files, 1998-2000; Subject Files, 1996-2000; Research Files, 1987-2001; Correspondence, 1996-2000; Hearing Files, 1997-2001; and Artifacts, 1976-2000.
The Bill Files document her legislative activity during her term as a member of the California State Legislature. The bills introduced by Helen Thomson include a wide array of subjects. She authored bills concerning mental and physical health, county programs, end of life care, schools and environmental concerns. Administrative Files primarily concern budget issues during her term in the State Assembly. Committee Member Files reflect Thomson’s participation on the Agriculture and Health Committees. Subject Files cover Helen Thomson’s multiple interests, including the Assembly Democratic Caucus, legislative procedure, and teen and women’s health concerns. Research Files concern mental health parity as well as hospital property tax exemptions. Correspondence covers Thomson’s communications with not only her constituents, but also with other elected officials. Hearing Files relate to Thomson’s efforts in the legislature to address mental health issues, including parity and access to care. Artifacts include fruit labels, plaques and other ephemera that document Helen Thomson’s pride in her district as well as interest in women’s and mental health issues.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Related Material at the California State Archives

Joint Committee on Mental Health Reform

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Thomson, Helen
Mental health
Public health
Schools
Environmental protection


LP489:1-309

Series 1 Bill Files 1997-2002

Physical Description: 309 file folders, 1 videocassette (VHS)

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.
Certain records in file folders LP489:64, 78, 85, 94, 107, 122, 152, 188, 208, 259, 278, 282, and 285 are restricted under the Information Practices Act and the Public Records Act, Government Code, sec 7927.7 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(c)), and Government Code 7928.3 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254.3).

Scope and Content Note

Bill files created by Helen Thomson may include bill analyses, amendments, resolutions, author statements, testimonies, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements, and other information. Bills of special note include AB1100 (1997-1998) and AB88 (1999-2000), which concerned mental health parity and aimed to provide equitable insurance coverage for both chronic mental and physical health conditions. Other bills of note include AB1421 (2001-2002), also known as “Laura’s Law”, named for Laura Wilcox, which allows for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for those diagnosed with a serious mental illness; AB791 (1999-2000) regarding end of life care; AB 2018 (1999-2000) covering triplicate prescription rules; AB1590, AB2788 and AB2791 (1997-1998) related to trial court funding, and AB2020 (1997-1998) and AB860 (1999-2000), which address allowing the elderly and disabled to keep pets in mobile home communities. The videocassette is related to AB88 (1999-2000).
1997-1998: AB194-AB2791, ACR77-ACR152 (104ff) LP489:1-104
1999-2000: AB88-AB2877, ACR1-ACR80 (125ff) LP489:105-229
2001-2002: AB7-AB2872, ACR 35, ACR99, AJR31 (80ff) LP489:230-309
LP489:310-318

Series 2 Administrative Files 1994-2002

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by date.

Scope and Content Note

Administrative Files primarily concern budget issues related to Helen Thomson’s 8th Assembly District. They also cover the commemoration of the Benicia Sesquicentennial of the California State Legislature in 2000.
LP489:319-321

Series 3 Committee Member Files 1998-2000

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Access Information

Certain records in file folder LP489:320 are restricted under the Information Practices Act, and the Public Records Act, Government Code 7927.7 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254(c)).

Scope and Content Note

The Committee Member Files document Helen Thomson’s participation on the Assembly Agriculture and Health Committees. The focus of the Agriculture Committee Member files relates to farm labor contractor legislation, while the Health Committee Member files concern regulating managed health care organizations.
LP489:322-398

Series 4 Subject Files 1996-2000

Physical Description: 77 file folders, 2 videocassettes (VHS).

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.
Certain records in file folder LP489:380 are restricted under the Public Records Act, Government Code sections 7920-7931 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254).

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files cover a wide range of Thomson’s interests and concerns while she was in office including the Assembly Democratic Caucus, legislative procedure, women’s accomplishments, and women’s and teen health. The videocassettes are of the Woman of the Year 2000 celebration.
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Blueprint for Victory in 2000 - LP489:322
Assembly Democratic Caucus: December Policy Roundtable - LP489:323-324
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Gubernatorial Primary Race Report - LP489:325
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Meeting 1/6/1998 - LP489:326
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Meeting 6/16/1998 - LP489:327
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Miscellaneous - LP489:328
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Policy Retreat - LP489:329
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Policy Retreat Issues Brief - LP489:330
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Policy Retreat Issues (Addendum, Volume 1) - LP489:331
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Policy Retreat Issues (Addendum, Volume 2) - LP489:332
Assembly Democratic Caucus: Year of Achievements Final Report - LP489:333
California Congressional Delegation at California 2000 - LP489:334-335
Domestic Violence - LP489:336
Legislative Procedure: Assembly Committee Chair and Vice-Chair (Briefing) - LP489:337
Legislative Procedure: Assembly Committee Member Briefing - LP489:338
Legislative Procedure: Assembly Floor System - LP489:339
Legislative Procedure: California State Assembly - LP489:340
Legislative Procedure: Member Information - LP489:341
Legislative Procedure: Mock Floor Session - LP489:342
Public Policy Institute of California: Statewide Survey - LP489:343
Sexual Harassment - LP489:344
Solano County Library Foundation - LP489:345
Woman of the Year 1998 - LP489:346
Woman of the Year 1999 - LP489:347
Woman of the Year 2000 - LP489:348
Women: California Women in History - LP489:349
Women: California Women Then and Now: Illustrated Biographies - LP489:350
Women: Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade - LP489:351
Women: The Health of Older Women in California - LP489:352
Women: The State of California Women Legislators - LP489:353
Women’s Health Conferences: Agendas - LP489:354
Women’s Health Conferences: Art - LP489:355
Women’s Health Conferences: Break Out Sessions - LP489:356
Women’s Health Conferences: Budget - LP489:357
Women’s Health Conferences: Contacts - LP489:358
Women’s Health Conferences: Correspondence - LP489:359
Women’s Health Conferences: Cyber Café - LP489:360
Women’s Health Conferences: Evaluations - LP489:361
Women’s Health Conferences: Examples - LP489:362
Women’s Health Conferences: Exhibitors/Health Screening - LP489:363
Women’s Health Conferences: Flyers - LP489:364
Women’s Health Conferences: Food and Beverages - LP489:365
Women’s Health Conferences: Health Summit Graphics - LP489:366
Women’s Health Conferences: Health Summit Site - LP489:367
Women’s Health Conferences: Health Summit Staff - LP489:368
Women’s Health Conferences: Media Plan - LP489:369
Women’s Health Conferences: Minutes/Notes - LP489:370
Women’s Health Conferences: Parent Response Letter - LP489:371
Women’s Health Conferences: Raffle - LP489:372
Women’s Health Conferences: Registration - LP489:373
Women’s Health Conferences: Reprint Permission - LP489:374
Women’s Health Conferences: Roster - LP489:375
Women’s Health Conferences: Rotary - LP489:376
Women’s Health Conferences: Sessions - LP489:377
Women’s Health Conferences: Solano County for Better Health (Fiscal Agent) - LP489:378
Women’s Health Conferences: Solano Teen Summit - LP489:379
Women’s Health Conferences: Speakers - LP489:380
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsor Forms - LP489:381
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsor Pledges - LP489:382
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsor Response - LP489:383
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsor Requests - LP489:384
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsors: Bronze - LP489:385
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsors: Gold - LP489:386
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsors: Platinum - LP489:387
Women’s Health Conferences: Sponsors: Silver - LP489:388
Women’s Health Conferences: Teen Track - LP489:389
Women’s Health Conferences: Thank You - LP489:390
Women’s Health Conferences: Tote Bags - LP489:391
Women’s Health Conferences: Vendors/Health Screening - LP489:392
Women’s Health Conferences: Volunteers - LP489:393
Women’s Health Conferences: Walking into Womanhood - LP489:394-395
Women’s Health Conferences: A Woman’s Health Summit - LP489:396
Women’s Health Conferences: Yolo Teen Summit - LP489:397-398
LP489:399-416

Series 5 Research Files 1987-2000

Physical Description: 18 file folders, 1 videocassette (VHS)

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual materials requires the production of use copies by Archives staff.
Certain records in file folder LP489:407 are restricted under California Government Code 7928.3 (formerly Gov. Code section 6254.3).

Scope and Content Note

Research Files include background materials primarily related to AB826 (1997-1998), concerning hospital property tax exemption and AB1100 (1997-1998), which addresses mental health care. Some of the materials pre-date her time in office. The videocassette is a recording of remarks given in 1990 by Gayle Wilson, former governor Pete Wilson’s wife, to a public hearing on mental illness in Los Angeles.
LP489:417-464

Series 6 Correspondence 1996-2000

Physical Description: 48 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence includes Thomson’s communications with her constituents as well as with other elected officials.
LP489:465-473

Series 7 Hearing Files 1997-2001

Physical Description: 10 videocassettes (VHS), 4 audiocassettes

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date and location.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual materials requires the production of use copies by Archives staff.

Scope and Content Note

Hearing Files consist of videocassettes and audiocassettes of Floor Sessions and various hearings related to bills authored by Helen Thomson.
7/16/1997 - Senate Insurance Committee (1 videocassette) - LP489:465
12/12/1997 - Select Committee on Mental Health (1 videocassette) - LP489:466
8/28/1998 - Floor Session/AB1100 (1 videocassette) - LP489:467
3/24/1999 - Assembly Aging and Long-term Care Committee: Mental Health and the Older Adult (2 videocassettes) - LP489:468
6/22/1999 - Assembly Floor Session (1 videocassette) - LP489:469
3/29/2000 - Assembly Health Committee (1 videocassette) - LP489:470
5/31/2000 - Floor Session/ AB1800 (1 videocassette) - LP489:471
8/31/2000 - Assembly Floor Session (2 videocassettes) - LP489:472
1/30/2001 - Joint Hearing on Mental Health Reform (4 audiocassettes) - LP489:473
LP489:474-487

Series 8 Artifacts 1976-2000

Physical Description: 14 items

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by item type.

Access Information

See reference archivist in order to make arrangements for access to artifacts.

Scope and Content Note

The artifacts include materials related to Helen Thomson’s district as well as interest in women’s and mental health issues. Materials also include recognition she received as a legislator.
Benicia Sesquicentennial Commemorative Envelope (A) and Pin (B), 2/16/2000 - LP489:474
Fruit Label: Rosy Dawn Quality Melons, Woodland, CA - LP489:475
Fruit Label: Scotch Lassie Jean, Strathmore, CA - LP489:476
Fruit Label: Valley California Bartletts, Suisun, CA - LP489:477
Fruit Label: Vina Vista Pears, Vacaville, CA - LP489:478
Fruit Label: West Wind Bartletts, Suisun, CA - LP489:479
Fruit Label: Wincot California Royal Apricots, Winters, CA - LP489:480
Magazine: Life Magazine Special Report: Remarkable American Women 1776-1976 - LP489:481
Magnet: Sacramento Toddler Immunization Coalition, related to AB1053, 1997-1998 Legislative Session - LP489:482
Metal Sign: Rosie the Riveter: We Can Do It - LP489:483
Plaque: Pfizer’s Capital Day 3/24/1999 - LP489:484
Plaque: Regional Association of County Supervisors Recognition Award - LP489:485
T-shirt: Blue t-shirt with yellow lettering: “I worked my butt off on AB1800 and all I got was this lousy t-shirt”, bill related to mental health, 1999-2000 Legislative Session - LP489:486
Tote Bag: White tote bag with blue lettering: “A Woman’s Health Summit”, 5/15/1999 - LP489:487