Thomas C. Carrell Collection, 1942-1972

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Summary

Creators:
Carrell, Thomas C., 1900-1972
Abstract:
Senator Thomas C. Carrell became active in politics as the campaign manager for assemblymen Julian Beck and Allen Miller. Carrell served as an assemblyman from 1963-1967, and as a senator from 1967-1972. The papers of Senator Carrell document his political, professional, and personal interests. The bulk of the collection consists of legislative bills and subject files.
Extent:
13.92 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

The Thomas C. Carrell Collection documents Senator Thomas C. Carrell's political, professional, and personal interests.The bulk of the collection consists of legislative bills and subject files, which contain articles, correspondence, legislative reports, surveys, newspaper clippings, and related documents. Personal materials include biographical data, correspondence, financial papers, legislative publicity, and speeches, which document friendships he built while in office, constituent responsibilities, personal financial investments, and Carrell's personal and public concerns. The collection is divided into four major series: Personal Papers (1957-1972), Legislative Action (1963-1971), Subject Files (1944-1971), and Non-Manuscript Material (1942-1970).

Series I, Personal Papers, contains correspondence, financial papers, senatorial newsletter and press releases, and speeches of Senator Carrell. The files are arranged alphabetically by document type.

Series II, Legislative Action, includes State Assembly and Senate bills introduced, written, and co-authored by Carrell. The files are arranged in chronological order. Senate bills authored by Carrell have subject indexes at the beginning of each year.

Series III, Subject Files, contains articles, correspondence, documents, editorials, legislative reports, surveys, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and related material on a wide variety of events and issues of importance to Senator Carrell. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series IV, Non-Manuscript Material, includes ephemera, photographs, awards, and fourteen scrapbooks containing broadsides, correspondence, newspaper clippings, papers, and photographs documenting Democratic Party conventions and elections for the period 1944 to 1960.

Biographical / historical:

Senator Thomas C. Carrell was born on July 10, 1900, in Cooper, Texas. He was a teacher in public schools from 1921 to 1926, and owner of the Carrell Chevrolet Agency in San Fernando, California. He held a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Southern California. Very active in civic and community enterprises, Carrell was a member of the American Legion, Elks and Moose Lodge, president of the San Fernando Kiwanis Club, and president of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he had held office in the Valley Council of Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Community Chest (United Way), March of Dimes, and other charitable organizations.

Carrell became active in politics when he became the campaign manager for assemblymen Julian Beck and Allen Miller. He was also active in the Harry Truman and Adlai Stevenson presidential campaigns, was State Chairman for the Estes Kefauver campaign for President in 1956, and Southern California chairman for U.S. Senator Engle's 1964 campaign.

During his terms in office, first as an assemblyman (1963-1967) and then as a senator (1967-1972), Carrell actively supported and worked for legislation to increase the efficiency of government organization and the handling of public affairs. He also worked for the protection of small businessmen, and for legislation encouraging new industry to come to the San Fernando Valley.

Carrell authored and co-authored legislation relating to freedom of the press, narcotics control, penalties for unlicensed medical practice, traffic violations, drunk driving, and other driving safety regulations. He also authored bills on the extension of radio and television news coverage to administrative hearings, juvenile drug use, environmental controls and air pollution standards, mass transit, and senior citizen benefits. He died of a heart attack in October 1972 on the island of Hawaii.

Acquisition information:
Mike Sagor. 10/08/1982.
Processing information:

Kay Lee, Lori Underwood

Arrangement:

Series I: Personal Papers, 1957-1972

Series II: Legislative Action, 1963-1971

Series III: Subject Files, 1944-1971

Series IV: Non-Manuscript Material, 1942-1970

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Ephemera
Documents
Photographs
Scrapbooks

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
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