Chacon (Peter) Papers, 1971-1992

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Summary

Title:
Peter Chacon Papers
Dates:
1971-1992
Creators:
Peter Chacon, California Legislator
Abstract:
Peter R. Chacon, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member from 1971 to 1992, and represented the 79th District. One of the first Latinos elected to the California Legislature, Chacon was one of five founding members of the Chicano Legislative Caucus in 1973. The Peter R. Chacon Papers contain eight record series dating over a 22-year time period (1971-1992) and include 16 cubic feet of textual records. The eight record series include: Bill Files (1971-1992), Correspondence (1971-1980), Chronological Correspondence (1971-1985), Bilingual Education Files (1975-1987), People of Color Aids Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files (1987-1988), Task Force on Substance Abuse Files (1989-1990), Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files (1985-1991), and Subject Files (1971-1992).
Extent:
16 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Peter Chacon Papers, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Peter R. Chacon Papers contain eight record series dating over a 22-year time period (1971-1992) and include 16 cubic feet of textual records. The eight record series include: Bill Files, Correspondence, Chronological Correspondence, Bilingual Education Files, People of Color Aids Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files, Task Force on Substance Abuse Files, Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files, and Subject Files. The Bill Files (1971-1992) document his advocacy of education, healthcare, and affordable housing during his twelve terms as a member of the California State Legislature. The Correspondence (1971-1980) and Chronological Correspondence (1971-1985) series document the daily workings of Chacon's offices as well as personal life events. The Bilingual Education Files, 1975-1987, record Chacon's commitment to promoting bilingualism and biculturalism in California's public schools. The People of Color AIDS Survival Effort (POCASE) Task Force Files, 1987-1988, highlight Chacon's concern regarding the epidemic that was concentrated among minority peoples. The Task Force on Substance Abuse Files, 1989-1990, record Chacon's involvement in combating gangs, drugs, and addiction in San Diego County. The Task Force on the Underrepresentation of Hispanics in the State Civil Service System Files, 1985-1991, document Chacon's dedication to achieving work force parity for Hispanics in state agencies. The Subject Files, 1971-1992, contain information on a variety of topics of interest to Chacon such as labor, housing, political campaigns, and healthcare.

Biographical / historical:

Peter R. Chacon, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member from 1971 to 1992. His 79th District included Lemon Grove, Coronado, National City, parts of San Diego, and Chula Vista in San Diego County.

Chacon was born in 1925 in Phoenix, Arizona. One of seven children, he spent many hours of his youth working in the beet fields. He joined the Air Force in 1943 and was a decorated World War II veteran upon his honorable discharge in 1945. His family moved to San Diego in 1946. In 1949, he enrolled at San Diego Community College. In 1952, he met Jean Louise Picone through the Catholic Youth Organization and they married the following year. Chacon received a Bachelor of Arts and elementary school teaching credential in 1954 and a Master's of School Administration in 1960 from San Diego State University. For over ten years, he taught at elementary, junior high, and high schools and served as a vice-principal within the San Diego area before joining the Legislature. Peter and Jean Louise have four sons, Chris, Paul, Ralph, and Jeff. As of 1997, Peter lived in Placerville teaching English to farm workers through his church.

Chacon was an active member of his Southern California community. He was a member of many local chapters of national organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Knights of Columbus, National Conference of Christians and Jews, and Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary education fraternity. In 1969, he helped to organize a confederation of Mexican-American organizations in San Diego County. He also served on several community boards such as the GI Forum and the Salvation Army.

In his first bid for elective office, Chacon received 55% of the vote against the incumbent Tom Hom (Republican) in 1970. He would successfully hold the 79th District for the next ten elections. One of the first Latinos elected to the California Legislature, Chacon was one of five founding members of the Chicano Legislative Caucus in 1973. He would chair this caucus for fourteen consecutive years. Chacon retired from the Assembly in 1992.

During his tenure in the Legislature, Peter Chacon was a member of the following committees:

  • Leadership
  • Chicano Legislative Caucus, 1973-1991 (Chair, 1978-1991)
  • Chair, 1978-1991
  • Standing Committees
  • Aging, 1981-1982 (Vice Chair, 1981-1982)
  • Vice-Chair, 1981-1982
  • Banking Finance, and Bonded Indebtedness, 1991-1992
  • Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials, 1981-1982
  • Education, 1971-1972 (Vice Chair, 1971-1972)
  • Vice-Chair, 1971-1972
  • Elections and Reapportionment, 1979-1980, 1985-1986
  • Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments, 1983-1984, 1987-1992(Chair, 1987-1992)
  • Chair, 1987-1992
  • Finance and Insurance, 1973, 1983-1990
  • Government Administration, 1973
  • Governmental Efficiency and Consumer Protection, 1987-1990
  • Governmental Organization, 1991-1992
  • Housing and Community Development, 1975-1978, 1983-1990 (Chair, 1975-1978, 1983-1984)
  • Chair, 1975-1978, 1983-1984
  • Human Resources, 1977-1978
  • Human Services, 1983-1984
  • International Trade and Intergovernmental Relations, 1987-1988
  • Labor Relations, 1971-1972
  • Natural Resources and Conservation, 1971-1972
  • Policy Research, 1985-1986 (Chair, 1985-1986)
  • Chair, 1985-1986
  • Public Employees and Retirement, 1975-1982
  • Revenue and Taxation, 1991-1992
  • Urban Development and Housing, 1971-1973 (chair, 1973)
  • Chair, 1973
  • Veteran's Affairs, 1985-1986
  • Ways and Means, 1975-1976, 1979-1982
  • Select Committees
  • California-Mexico Affairs, 1991-1992
  • Manpower Development, 1972-1973
  • San Diego Foster Care Programs, 1973
  • Utility Performance, Rates, and Regulations, 1983-1984
  • Joint Committees
  • Educational Goals and Evaluation, 1972-1973
  • State's Economy, 1975-1992
  • Subcommittees
  • Bilingual/Bicultural Education (Special), 1976-1978 (Chair, 1976-1978)
  • Chair, 1976-1978
  • Education (Ways and Means), 1979-1980
  • Housing Finance, 1972-1973 (Chair, 1972-1973)
  • Chair, 1972-1973
  • Commissions
  • Aging, 1972-1973
  • Equal Educational Opportunities, 1975-1986
  • The Californias, 1975-1992
Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the Peter Chacon Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.
Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Kim Mitchell
Date Prepared:
© 2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Cori Schmidtbauer. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 13 December 2012.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Peter Chacon Papers, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
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