Lou Papan was a man of many names. Born Elias Papandricoupolos to Greek immigrant parents; called "The Enforcer" for his tendency to punish recalcitrant members with smaller staffs and offices; called "Leadfoot Lou" for the speeding tickets he received racing home to the bay area from Sacramento every night to be with his ailing son; and, finally, called "The Conciliator" for advocating civility between members during his second tenure in the assembly. Louis John Papan, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member, 1972-1986 and 1996-2002. The Louis J. Papan Papers contain seven series covering a 30-year time period: Bill Files, 1973-1986 and 1997-2002; Capitol Restoration Files, 1974-1998; news clippings, 1977-2002; press releases, 1973-2002; Southern Pacific Railroad files, 1973-1979; speeches, 1975-1985; and subject files, 1973-2000.

Lou Papan was a man of many names. Born Elias Papandricoupolos to Greek immigrant parents; called "The Enforcer" for his tendency to punish recalcitrant members with smaller staffs and offices; called "Leadfoot Lou" for the speeding tickets he received racing home to the bay area from Sacramento every night to be with his ailing son; and, finally, called "The Conciliator" for advocating civility between members during his second tenure in the assembly. Louis John Papan, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member, 1972-1986 and 1996-2002. His 27th District included Daly City, Millbrae, Pacifica, and San Bruno within San Mateo County. Following redistricting in 1974, he represented the 19th District which included cities such as Colma and parts of San Francisco. He was born on August 2, 1928, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He served in the Army during World War II. In 1951, he received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Syracuse University. After college, he entered the Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. He then worked as an FBI agent from 1955 to 1958. In 1958, he moved to San Mateo County with his wife, Irene C. Damis, to establish an insurance and real estate brokerage. Louis and Irene had three children, John V., Virginia (Gina), and Diane. Papan died of a heart attack, aged 78, in 2007.

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