INVENTORY OF THE WARREN FURUTANI COLLECTION, 2008-2012

Finding aid prepared by Oscar Sanchez
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives & Special Collections
University Library, Room 5039
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://www4.csudh.edu/libarchives/index
©2013


Descriptive Summary

Title: Furutani (Warren) Collection
Dates: 2008-2012
Collection Number: Consult repository
Creator:
Extent: 9 boxes 8 linear ft.
Repository: California State University, Dominguez Hills Archives and Special Collections
Archives & Special Collection
University Library, Room 5039
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://www4.csudh.edu/libarchives/index
Abstract: The Warren Furutani Collection documents the breadth and duration of Warren Furutani’s four year service as a member of the California State Assembly for the 55th District. Furutani was elected to the California State Assembly on a special primary Election in 2007, replacing fellow Democrat Laura Richardson. He served the 55th District from February 7, 2008 until November 30, 2012. He was the last representative of the 55th district to represent the South Bay, Gardena, Carson, Lakewood, and Long Beach before the redistricting in 2011 by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. During his tenure in the California Assembly, Furutani introduced several legislative bills related to career technical education, community colleges, clean air quality, and support for small businesses such as: AB 2142, AB 1294, AB 1448 and AJR 8. He is renowned for introducing Assembly Bill (AB37) which granted honorary college degrees to Japanese Americans whose education was disrupted due to their wrongful incarceration during World War II. The collection contains primarily legislative bills, constituent correspondence, awards, articles, plaques, videos, and photographs detailing Furutani’s service as a member of the California Assembly for the 55th District.
Language: Collection material is in English.

Administration Information

Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Title of item], WARREN FURUTANI COLLECTION, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. University Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated by Warren Furutani to the Archives and Special Collections at California State University, Dominguez Hills on December 12, 2012.

Processing Information

Materials were processed and arranged Oscar Sanchez in 2013.

Biography

Warren Furutani is a fourth generation Japanese American born in San Pedro, California on October 16, 1947. He was the grandson of a boat mechanic on Terminal Island in San Pedro, whose family became victims of the Japanese American incarceration during WWII. Warren's grandparents and father were forced to leave their home with only 48-hours’ notice and were sent to an incarceration camp in Rohror, Arkansas. Warren's father was in high school at the time and while at camp he met Warren's mother who was from Elk Grove, California. After the war, his parents returned to San Pedro, where Furutani would be born. His family moved to Gardena where Warren was raised. He graduated from Gardena High School in 1965 and earned a liberal arts degree from Antioch University. During the 60’s Furutani was a civil rights activist who worked tirelessly to establish admissions programs for students of color at colleges and universities throughout the United States. He helped many campuses institute ethnic studies programs and was instrumental in UCLA and Long Beach State University adopting an Asian American Studies program. In 1969, Warren was one of the founders of the Manzanar Pilgrimage, an annual event to honor the 110,000 Japanese American men, women and children who were forced to leave their homes and were incarcerated during World War II. Warren also helped to create the Manzanar Committee that worked to get Manzanar designated as a national historical site. Today, thousands of people participate in the Manzanar Pilgrimage every year on the last Saturday of April. In the mid-1970s, Warren worked as a counselor at the Central Continuation High School in Downtown Los Angeles. He later joined the Asian American Student Services Center at UCLA where he worked as an administrator and developed programs to recruit, mentor and tutor students as well as encourage them to be active in community projects.
In 1987, Warren was the first Asian Pacific Islander American to ever be elected to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education. While a Board Member at LAUSD, Warren led the effort to grant honorary high school diplomas to Japanese Americans who were unable to finish high school because they were forced into internment camps during World War II. In 1999 Warren was elected to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees, the largest community college district in the country. During his 15 year service in both educational boards he was an early and strong advocate for the LAUSD and LACCD construction bonds, which directed billions of dollars into repairing and building new schools and remodeling and constructing new facilities on our community college campuses. Furutani was elected to replace fellow Democrat Laura Richardson in a special election in 2008. He served the 55th District for four years and 9 months in the California State Assembly. In the California State Legislature, Warren was appointed Chair of the Public Employees Retirement and Social Security committee, where he introduced pension reform measures, including Assembly Bill 340 to end the abusive practices of pension spiking and double dipping. He was also Chair of the Select Committee on Career Technical Education and Workforce Development where he focused on preparing students with the training they need for 21st Century jobs. He also founded the Community College Caucus and is a member of the Higher Education Master Plan Review Committee. Warren's work in the Capitol includes legislation related to career technical education, community colleges, clean air quality, and support for small businesses. He successfully advocated for State resources to help rebuild the Gerald Desmond Bridge in the Port of Long Beach. In 2008, he authored Assembly Bill 37 which granted honorary college degrees to Japanese Americans whose education was disrupted due to their wrongful incarceration during World War II. Since the bill was signed, thousands of Japanese Americans have received honorary degrees from college campuses throughout California. Furutani retired and left office on November 30, 2012 and was replaced by Republican Kurt Hagman. He currently lives in the Harbor Gateway with his wife Lisa Abe Furutani and their two sons.

Scope and Content

The Warren Furutani Collection documents the breadth and duration of Warren Furutani’s four year service as a member of the California State Assembly for the 55th District. The collection is comprised of 8 linear feet containing; legislative bills, awards, photographs, videos, campaign mail, newspaper articles, and constituent correspondence providing an in depth look at Furutani’s legislative activities during his tenure in the California State Senate. The collection contains bill files from 2008- 2012 that document evidence of Furutani’s interest in improving education, transportation, response to substance abuse, health care, support of small businesses, environment, and educational recognition and restitution for Japanese Americans whose education was disrupted through incarceration during WW2. Documented in the collection is Furutani’s legislative legacy displayed in bill AJR8 which details Furutani’s effort and commitment to bringing the WW2 historic battleship USS Iowa to San Pedro.
The collection is also comprised of awards and constituent correspondence that document Furutani’s attention to issues and concerns that affected his constituents, his district, the state, and his political party. The collections PSA videos on topics like “Sober Driving” for High School students and “Earth Day” are examples of Furutani’s social and environmental commitment. The collection includes receipts and planning outlines for the Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events that Furutani oversaw which displays Furutani’s ongoing commitment to his Asian Heritage.
The collection can help a researcher understand the dynamics of the California State Assembly from 2008-2012 as well as the role of the 55th District while it still encompassed the South Bay. Furatani was the last representative of the 55th district to represent the South Bay, Gardena, Carson, Lakewood, and Long Beach before the redistricting in 2011 by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Finally, it also gives insight on Furutani’s social and civil activism that has characterized him throughout his life.

Indexing Terms

Subjects

Legislative bills.
Japanese Americans.
World War II.
California. Legislature. Assembly.
California. Legislature. Senate.
Japanese Americans--California

Geographic Areas

Gardena (Calif.)
Carson (Calif.)
Lakewood (Calif.)
Long Beach (Calif.)

Personal Names

Furutani, Warren, 1947-


Box 1, Folder 1

Legislative Bills, AB 2179. February 20, 2008

Box 1, Folder 2

Legislative Bills, AB 2227. February 20, 2008

Box 1, Folder 3

Legislative Bills, AB 2537. February 21, 2008

Box 1, Folder 4

Legislative Bills, AB 2537. February 21, 2008

Box 1, Folder 5

Legislative Bills, AB 2537. February 21, 2008

Box 1, Folder 6

Legislative Bills, AB 2550. February 22, 2008

Box 1, Folder 7

Legislative Bills, AB 2551. February 22, 2008

Box 1, Folder 8

Legislative Bills, AB 2576. February 22, 2008

Box 1, Folder 9

Legislative Bills, AB 2648. February 22, 2008

Box 1, Folder 10

Legislative Bills, AB 2742. February 22, 2008

Box 1, Folder 11

Legislative Bills, AJR 65. June 5, 2008

Box 1, Folder 12

Legislative Bills, AJR 65. June 5, 2008

Box 1, Folder 13

Legislative Bills, AJR 67. June 10, 2008

Box 1, Folder 14

Legislative Bills, AJR 67. June 10, 2008

Box 1, Folder 15

Legislative Bills, AB 35. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 16

Legislative Bills, AB 35. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 17

Legislative Bills, AB 35. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 18

Legislative Bills, AB 37. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 19

Legislative Bills, AB 37. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 20

Legislative Bills, AB 37. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 21

Legislative Bills, ACA 2. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 22

Legislative Bills, ACA 2. December 1, 2008

Box 1, Folder 23

Legislative Bills, AB 366. February 23, 2009

Box 1, Folder 24

Legislative Bills, AB 503. February 23, 2009

Box 1, Folder 25

Legislative Bills, AB 503. February 24, 2009

Box 1, Folder 26

Legislative Bills, AB 506. February 24, 2009

Box 2, Folder 1

Legislative Bills, AB 549. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 2

Legislative Bills, AB 549. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 3

Legislative Bills, AB 551. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 4

Legislative Bills, AB 552. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 5

Legislative Bills, AB 553. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 6

Legislative Bills, AB 554. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 7

Legislative Bills, AB 554. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 8

Legislative Bills, AB 555. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 9

Legislative Bills, AB 555. February 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 10

Legislative Bills, AB 892. February 26, 2009

Box 2, Folder 11

Legislative Bills, AB 893. February 26, 2009

Box 2, Folder 12

Legislative Bills, AB 893. February 26. 2009

Box 2, Folder 13

Legislative Bills, AB 894.

Box 2, Folder 14

Legislative Bills, AB 1038. February 27, 2009

Box 2, Folder 15

Legislative Bills, AB 1484. February 27, 2009

Box 2, Folder 16

Legislative Bills, ACR 15. January 29, 2009

Box 2, Folder 17

Legislative Bills, ACR 34. February 24, 2009

Box 2, Folder 18

Legislative Bills, AJR 11. March 25, 2009

Box 2, Folder 19

Legislative Bills, ACR 101. January 5, 2010

Box 2, Folder 20

Legislative Bills, AB 1712. February 2, 2010

Box 2, Folder 21

Legislative Bills, AB 1713. February 2, 2010

Box 2, Folder 22

Legislative Bills, AB 1775. February 9, 2010

Box 2, Folder 23

Legislative Bills, AB 1775. February 9, 2010

Box 2, Folder 24

Legislative Bills, AB 1836. February 12, 2010

Box 3, Folder 1

Legislative Bills, AB 1836. February 12, 2010

Box 3, Folder 2

Legislative Bills, AB 1847. February 12, 2010

Box 3, Folder 3

Legislative Bills, AB 1847. February 12, 2010

Box 3, Folder 4

Legislative Bills, AB 2149. February 18, 2010

Box 3, Folder 5

Legislative Bills, AB 2444. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 6

Legislative Bills, AB 2445. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 7

Legislative Bills, AB 2446. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 8

Legislative Bills, AB 2446. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 9

Legislative Bills, AB 2446. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 10

Legislative Bills, AB 2446. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 11

Legislative Bills, AB 2447. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 12

Legislative Bills, AB 2482.

Box 3, Folder 13

Legislative Bills, AB 305. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 14

Legislative Bills, AB 2753. February 19, 2010

Box 3, Folder 15

Legislative Bills, AB 305. February 9, 2011

Box 3, Folder 16

Legislative Bills, AB 305. February 9, 2011

Box 3, Folder 17

Legislative Bills, AB 563. February 16, 2011

Box 3, Folder 18

Legislative Bills, AB 618. February 16, 2011

Box 3, Folder 19

Legislative Bills, AB 751. February 17, 2011

Box 3, Folder 20

Legislative Bills, AB 751. February 17, 2011

Box 3, Folder 21

Legislative Bills, AB 790. February 17, 2011

Box 3, Folder 22

Legislative Bills, AB 790. February 17, 2011

Box 4, Folder 1

Legislative Bills, AB 873. February 17, 2011

Box 4, Folder 2

Legislative Bills, AB 1010. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 3

Legislative Bills, AB 1010. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 4

Legislative Bills, AB 1128. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 5

Legislative Bills, AB 1174. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 6

Legislative Bills, AB 1174. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 7

Legislative Bills, AB 1207. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 8

Legislative Bills, AB 1207. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 9

Legislative Bills, AB 1207. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 10

Legislative Bills, AB 1294. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 11

Legislative Bills, AB 1239. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 12

Legislative Bills, AB 1239. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 13

Legislative Bills, AB 1310. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 14

Legislative Bills, AB 1310. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 15

Legislative Bills, AB 1330. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 16

Legislative Bills, AB 1330. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 17

Legislative Bills, AB 1330. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder

Legislative Bills, AB 1341. February 18, 2011

Box 4, Folder 19

Legislative Bills, AB 1448. January 4, 2012

Box 4, Folder 20

Legislative Bills, AB 1448. January 4, 2012

Box 4, Folder 21

Legislative Bills, AB 2142. February 23, 2012

Box 4, Folder 22

Legislative Bills, AB 2572. February 24, 2012

Box 5, Folder 1

Legislative Bills, AB 2573. February 24, 2012

Box 5, Folder 2

Legislative Bills, AB 2580. February 24, 2012

Box 5, Folder 3

Legislative Bills, AB 2591. February 24, 2012

Box 5, Folder 4

Legislative Bills, AB 2592. February 24, 2012

Box 5, Folder 5

Legislative Bills, AJR 8. March 9, 2011

Box 5, Folder 6

Constituent Correspondence, AB 2728. 2008

Box 5, Folder 7

Constituent Correspondence, Vehicle License Fees (VLF). February 27, 2011

Box 5, Folder 8

Constituent Correspondence, Support AB 390. 2009

Box 5, Folder 9

Constituent Correspondence, Opposition 2208. 2010

Box 5, Folder 10

Constituent Correspondence, Opposition AB 2446. 2010

Box 5, Folder 11

Constituent Correspondence, Opposition AB 2449. 2010

Box 5, Folder 12

District Office, State Lit. 2009

Box 5, Folder 14

Constituent Correspondence, Thank You Letters. 2009

Box 5, Folder 15

Constituent Correspondence, Opposition SB 399. 2010

Box 5, Folder 16

Constituent Correspondence, Opposition to Death Penalty. 2010

Box 5, Folder 17

Constituent Correspondence, Support AB 357. 2010

Box 5, Folder 18

Constituent Correspondence, Health Care Reform. 2010/2011

Box 5, Folder 19

Constituent Correspondence, Prison Reform. 2010

Box 5, Folder 20

Constituent Correspondence, Prop 13. 2010

Box 5, Folder 21

Constituent Correspondence, Business Taxes. 2010/2011

Box 5, Folder 22

Constituent Correspondence, Public Transportation. 2010

Box 5, Folder 23

Form 700. 2009/2010

Box 5, Folder

District Office, Cards.

Box 5, Folder 25

Constituents Correspondence, Budget 2009, Non-Profit/Community Concerns. 2009

Box 5, Folder 26

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Redevelopment. 2011

Box 5, Folder 27

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Youth. 2009

Box 5, Folder 28

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Transportation. 2009

Box 5, Folder 29

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Employee Cuts. 2009

Box 5, Folder 30

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Local Government Financing. 2009

Box 5, Folder 31

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Cal Works, Opposing Cuts. 2009

Box 5, Folder 32

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Taxes. 2009

Box 5, Folder 33

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Department Elimination. 2009

Box 5, Folder 34

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, State Parks. 2009.

Box 5, Folder 35

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Disabilities/Home Care Services. 2009

Box 5, Folder 36

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Rehabilitation. 2009

Box 5, Folder 37

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, K-12, Education.

Box 5, Folder 38

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Higher Education. 2009-2010

Box 5, Folder 39

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Health Care. 2009

Box 5, Folder 40

Constituent Correspondence, Budget, Adult Education. 2009

Box 5, Folder 41

Constituent Correspondence, Carson California. 2008-2011

Box 5, Folder 42

Constituent Correspondence, Harbor City/Gateway, California. 2008

Box 5, Folder 43

Constituent Correspondence, Lakewood, California. 2008.

Box 5, Folder 44

Constituent Correspondence, Long Beach, California. 2008

Box 5, Folder 45

Constituent Correspondence, Support E-Verify. 2011

Box 5, Folder 46

District Office, Resources for Constituents. 2009-2010

Box 5, Folder 47

Blank Forms/Oath.

Box 5, Folder 48

Constituent Correspondence, Carson, California. 2010-2012

Box 5, Folder 49

Hands Across the 55th District RSVP List. 2011

Box 5, Folder 50

Community Organizations. 2008-2011.

Box 5, Folder 51

Carson, Business Commerce. 2008-2009

Box 5, Folder 52

Carson, Education. 2008-2011

Box 5, Folder 53

Carson, Carousel Tract Town Hall, AB 1207.

Box 6, Folder 1

Online Newspaper/Online Articles. February 2010-May 2010

Box 6, Folder 2

Online Newspaper/Online Articles. June 2010-November 2010

Box 6, Folder 3

Congratulatory Cards. 2008-2012

Box 6, Folder 4

Congratulatory/Thank You Letters. June 2008-September 2010

Box 6, Folder 5

Congratulatory/Thank You Letters. October 14, 1010-November 29, 2010

Box 6, Folder 6

Congratulatory/Thank Your Letters. December 08, 2010-September 28, 2012

Box 6, Folder 7

Newspaper Articles. 2008-2011

Box 6, Folder 8

Education, Pasadena City College. June 2010

Box 6, Folder 9

Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month Event. 2011

Box 6, Folder 10

Campaign Mail/Opposing Bills.

Box 6, Folder 11

Photographs.

Box 6, Folder 12

Certificates and Awards. 1008-2012

Box 6, Folder 13

Plaque, Carson Black Chamber of Commerce. December 3, 2009

Box 6, Folder 14

Plaque, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. December 13, 2009

Box 6, Folder 15

Plaque, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. February 26, 2010

Box 6, Folder 16

Plaque, Pasadena City College. June 18, 2010

Box 6, Folder 17

Plaque, California Business Education Association. November 6, 2010

Box 6, Folder 18

Plaque, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, 23rd Annual Heart of the Harbor. December 12, 2012

Box 6, Folder 19

Plaque, CITEA Foundation, Legislator of the Year. March 18, 2011.

Box 6, Folder 20

Plaque, Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club. May 14, 2011

Box 7, Folder 1

Plaque, Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. October 20, 2008

Box 7, Folder 2

Bandana, Workers' Needs Over Corporate Greed, LA/LB Harbor Coalition. 2010

Box 7, Folder 3

PSA "Earth Day" (video). April 22, 2008

Box 7, Folder 4

PSA "Sober Grad" (video). April 1, 2008

Box 7, Folder 5

"Character Local Edition" (DVD). September 30, 2010

Box 7, Folder 6

Award, Philippine American Bar Association. "Distinguished Community Service Award". March 11, 2009

Box 7, Folder 7

Award, AAA/E 32nd Annual Banquet. "Vision of Change". 2009

Box 7, Folder 8

Award, California Journal for Filipino Americans. "Community Leadership Award". August 28, 2008

Box 7, Folder 9

Awards, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Special Emphasis Program. May 30, 2008

Box 7, Folder 10

L.A. AFL CIO Community Service Program. 2009

Box 7, Folder 11

Plaque, South Bay Cities Council of Government. 2010

Box 7, Folder 12

Plaque, City of Carson, Future Unlimited. June 11, 2010

Box 8, Folder 1

Plaque, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. December 14, 2008

Box 8, Folder 2

Plaque, Professional Engineers in California Government, Los Angeles Section.

Box 8, Folder 3

Plaque, City of Hope. February 4, 2011

Box 8, Folder 4

Warren Furutani at Dodger Stadium (oversize photograph).

Box 8, Folder 5

Education Placard "Oil Dollars for California Colleges".

Box 9, Folder 1

Retirement Recognition Award, County of Los Angeles. November 29, 2012.

Note

Contains folder located in map drawer
Box 9, Folder 2

Recognition Award, Compton Unified School District. November 29, 2012

Box 9, Folder 3

Parade Poster, 26th Annual "Kingdome Day Parade". January 17, 2011

Box 9, Folder 4

Parade Poster, 26th Annual "Kingdome Day Parade". January 17, 2011

Box 9, Folder 5

Emblem, California State Assembly.