David Stirling Papers, 1977-1982

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Summary

Creators:
Stirling, David 1940- , California Legislator
Abstract:
M. David Stirling, Republican, was elected to the California Assembly in the 64th district in 1976, which included Whittier, La Miranda, La Habra Heights, Walnut, Hacienda Heights, Diamond Bar, and Rowland Heights. He served until 1982, when he stepped down to make an ultimately unsuccessful bid for the office of Attorney General. The David Stirling papers consist of Assembly and Senate bill files from 1977 to 1982.
Extent:
33 file folders
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English

Background

Scope and content:

The David Stirling papers consist of Assembly and Senate bill files from 1977 to 1982. These files document Stirling's legislative activity and interests during his terms as a State Assembly member. The bills introduced by Stirling concern a wide array of subjects. He authored bills including, but not limited to, product liability, sales and property tax exemptions for certain groups, paternity blood testing, licensing and registration of businesses and tradesmen, and balancing the Federal budget. However, the bulk of the material covers issues in criminal justice, such as court proceedings, death penalty inmates and habitual criminals, sentencing, parole, plea bargaining, and prison terms.

Biographical / historical:

M. David Stirling, Republican, was elected to the California Assembly in the 64th district in 1976, which included Whittier, La Miranda, La Habra Heights, Walnut, Hacienda Heights, Diamond Bar, and Rowland Heights. He served until 1982, when he stepped down to make an ultimately unsuccessful bid for the office of Attorney General.

Stirling was born on September 27, 1940 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He left to attend college in Illinois, but returned to New Orleans to attend Law School at Tulane University. He began practicing law in California in 1965, and established the law firm of Shay, Stirling, and Jones, in 1968.

The Assembly Member was very active in the community. Some of his notable community roles included President of the East Whittier Kiwanis Club, President of the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association, and the Board of Directors of the East Whittier YMCA. He was also appointed by Governor Reagan to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board in 1974. Stirling received various awards and honors for his service, like Whittier’s Outstanding Young Man of the Year. After his career in the Assembly, Stirling continued to hold various positions of public office, such as Justice of Sacramento County Superior Court and Chief Deputy Attorney General, according to the California Rosters and California Telephone Directory.

Some topics of Stirling’s political interests include criminal justice, growth of government, quality education and improvement of the business climate in California.

During his term in the California Legislature, Stirling served on the following committees according to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks), Assembly Final History, and Pocket Directory of the California Legislature:

California State Assembly, 1976-1982
  • Standing Committees
  • Constitutional Amendments, 1979-1982
  • Criminal Justice, 1979-1982
  • Human Services, 1981-1982
  • Judiciary, 1977-1982
  • Labor, Employment, and Consumer Affairs, 1977-1980
  • Revenue and Taxation, 1977-1978
  • Ways and Means, 1979-1980
  • Subcommittees
  • Commerce, Labor, and State Administration, 1979-1980
  • Juvenile Justice (Criminal Justice), 1981-1982
  • Joint Committees
  • Legislative Budget, 1979-1980
  • Prison Facilities and Incarceration Alternatives, 1977-1978
  • Revision of the Penal Code, 1981-1982
Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

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