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Title: Carl Washington Papers
Dates: 1979-2002
Collection number: LP488
Creator:
Carl Washington, California Legislator
Collection Size:
9.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Carl Washington, Democrat, served as a State Assembly Member from 1997 to 2002. The Carl Washington papers consist of 9.5
cubic feet of textual records reflecting Washington’s activities during his time as an Assembly Member from 1997 to 2002.
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], Carl Washington papers, LP488:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
California State Archives acquired the Carl Washington papers, in a series of two record transfers, first in 1999 (Accession
Number: 1999-03-11) and again in 2003 (Accession Number: 2003-057).
Carl Washington, Democrat, served as a State Assembly Member from 1997 to 2002. As a State Assembly Member, his 52nd District
consisted of the southeast Los Angeles County region. Cities in the district included Compton, Gardena, Lynwood and Paramount,
as well as parts of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Carl Washington was born on January 25, 1965, in Littlefield, Texas. His family moved to California in 1966 and he grew up
in the 52nd District. He attended Bishop's College in Dallas, TX, studying at the Minister's Institute. Washington entered
his ministry studies in 1983 and was ordained in 1988. From 1992 to 1996, Washington served as the Field Deputy for Supervisor
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. Ms. Burke was the first African American elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and
a former member of both the California State Assembly and U.S. House of Representatives.
Carl Washington worked extensively in his community prior to and during his time in the State Legislature. He was a founding
member of the Saturday Night Live Christian Fellowship and the Young Minister's Conference of Los Angeles. In addition, he
served as a member of the Board of Directors of Community Youth Gang Services, the American Philanthropy Association, Inc.,
and the Young American National Awareness Campaign. Washington was also the spokesman for the Minister's Coalition for Peace,
which organized several weeks prior to the Los Angeles Riots of 1992. He served as a mediator of a gang truce in South Los
Angeles following that unrest. In 1993, he was the only United States recipient of the Reebok International Human Rights Award.
In 1998, he received the CSUS Peace Service Award.
Carl Washington was elected to the State Assembly in 1996 and continued there until he was termed out in 2002. His district
was economically challenged, with some retail, small business and industry, but no major employers. During his tenure, Washington
was active member of several select committees and served on the Speaker's Task Force on the Impact of Terrorism on California.
Additionally, Washington was a member of the Legislative Black Caucus.
From 2006 to 2012, Carl Washington was the Division Chief of Intergovernmental Relations and Legislative Affairs for the California
State Probation Department. From 2012 until the present, he has served as the Associate Pastor for the St. Mark's Missionary
Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
- 1965 Born in Littlefield, Texas
- 1966 Established residency in California
- 1996 Elected to California State Assembly
- 1997 Began term in the State Assembly representing the 52nd District
- 1997-2002 Chair of the Select Committee on the Compton Unified School District
- 1999-2002 Chair of the Public Safety Committee
- 1999-2002 Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Prison Construction and Operations
- 2002 Ended service in the State Assembly
The Carl Washington papers consist of 9.5 cubic feet of textual records reflecting Washington's activities during his time
as an Assembly Member from 1997 to 2002. The Washington papers include six record series: Bill Files 1997-2002, Chronological
Files 1997-2001, Scheduled Events Files 1997-1998, Subject Files 1979-2002, Administrative Files 1996-2000, and Photographs,
undated.
The Bill Files document his legislative activity during his term as a member of the California State Legislature. The bills
introduced by Carl Washington include a wide array of subjects. Washington authored bills concerning education, school safety,
community programs, and crime prevention. The Chronological Files reflect his correspondence during his time in office. Scheduled
Events Files consist of openings, fundraisers and other events attended by Washington. Subject files cover a wide range of
Washington's interests and concerns while he was in office, including education, the work of the Legislative Black Caucus,
welfare reform, Compton community programs and healthcare. Administrative Files include issues pertinent to Washington's office
and district, including speeches, press clippings and letters of support for community members and programs. Photographs document
Washington's involvement in various community events, including awards ceremonies.
No further accruals are expected.
Related Material at the California State Archives
Assembly Public Safety Committee Records
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Washington, Carl
Education
Crime prevention - California
Community organization
California. Legislature. Legislative Black Caucus.