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Title: Wesley Chesbro Papers
Dates: 1999-2014
Collection number: LP473
Creator:
Wesley Chesbro, California Legislator
Collection Size:
9.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Wesley Chesbro was a State Senator from 1998-2006 and a member of the State Assembly from 2008-2014. The Wesley Chesbro Papers
consist of three series: Bill Files, 1999 to 2006 and 2009-2014, Office Files, 1999-2014, and Speeches Files, 2009-2013. The
records document his legislative activity during his term as a member of the California State Legislature.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
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.
[Identification of item], Wesley Chesbro papers, LP473:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
California State Archives acquired the Wesley Chesbro papers, in a series of seven transfers, beginning in 2003 (Accession
Numbers: 2003-043, 2003-062, 2005-016, 2005-035, 2006-071, 2006-256, 2015-031).
Wesley Chesbro, Democrat, was a State Senator from 1998 to 2006, and a State Assembly Member from 2008 to 2014. As a State
Senator, his 2nd District included Eureka, Santa Rosa, Napa, Ukiah and Vallejo in the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino,
Lake, Napa, Sonoma and Solano. As a State Assembly Member, his 1st District included Arcata, Crescent City, Eureka, Santa
Rosa and Ukiah in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma (partial) and Trinity counties. Following redistricting after
the 2010 census, he represented the 2nd Assembly District which included Arcata, Crescent City, Eureka, Garberville, Santa
Rosa and Ukiah within Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma (partial) and Trinity counties.
Wesley Chesbro was born in Glendale, California, on August 20, 1951. He attended Humboldt State University from 1969 to 1973.
He did not complete his degree at that time due to becoming heavily involved in various endeavors with the local community.
He co-founded the North Coast’s first recycling center in 1971, as well as the North Coast Environmental Center in that same
year. Chesbro was the first Executive Director of both organizations. In addition, he was elected to the Arcata City Council
from 1974 to 1980. He served as a Humboldt County Supervisor from 1980 to 1990. Chesbro later returned to college and received
his bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior in 1996 from the University of San Francisco. He is married with two sons.
In 1990, Chesbro was appointed to the California State Integrated Waste Management Board with the goal of assisting the state
in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, and increasing use of recycled materials. He served on the board from 1990
to 1998 and again from 2006 to 2008.
Wesley Chesbro was elected to the State Senate in 1998 and continued there until he was termed out in 2006. He was then elected
to the State Assembly in 2008 and continued his service there until he reached his term limit in 2014. His districts were
predominantly rural. Timber and livestock as well as tourism and the wine industry were major economic factors in the districts.
Wesley Chesbro retired after his final term in the State Assembly.
| 1951 | Born in Glendale, California |
| 1998 | Elected to California State Senate |
| 1999 | Began term in the State Senate representing the 2nd District |
| 1999-2000 | Chair of Revenue and Taxation Committee |
| 1999-2006 | Chair of Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry, Chair of Select Committee on Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health |
| 2000 | Co-Chair of Joint Committee on Mental Health Reform |
| 2003-2006 | Chair of Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review |
| 2006 | Ended term in State Senate |
| 2008 | Elected to California State Assembly |
| 2009 | Began term in the State Assembly representing the 1st District |
| 2009-2010 | Chair of Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee |
| 2009-2014 | Chair of Select Committee on Disabilities |
| 2011-2014 | Chair of Natural Resources Committee, Chair of Select Committee on Wine, Chair of Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture |
| 2013 | After redistricting, began term representing the 2nd Assembly District |
| 2014 | Ended term in State Assembly |
The Wesley Chesbro papers consist of 9.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records reflecting Chesbro’s activities during
his time as a State Senator from 1998 until 2006, and then as an Assembly Member from 2008 until 2014. The collection is organized
into the following record series: Bill Files, 1999-2006 and 2009-2014; Office Files, 1999-2014; and Speeches Files, 2009-2013.
The Bill Files document his legislative activity during his term as a member of the California State Legislature. The bills
introduced by Wesley Chesbro include a wide array of subjects. He authored bills concerning environmental issues, mental health,
services to the developmentally and physically disabled, elder care, rural healthcare, Native American tribal concerns, and
the beer and wine industries. Office Files relate to his legacy as a member of the Legislature as well as to support grants
for historic sites in his districts. Office Files also concern recognition of the contributions of “Peanuts” creator Charles
M. Schulz and his wife Jean, who lived in Chesbro’s district; and press photographs from the Democratic Party's response to
the Governor’s 2006 Budget. Speeches Files include speeches he gave covering topics such as education, the environment, disabilities,
natural resources, and transportation.
No further accruals are expected.
Related Material at the California State Archives
State Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee records
Integrated Waste Management Board records
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Chesbro, Wesley
Mental health facilities
Conservation of natural resources-California
Historic sites-Conservation and restoration-California
Transportation-California