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Title: Bill Craven Papers
Dates: 1974-1998
Collection number: LP376
Creator:
Bill Craven, California Legislator
Collection Size:
12 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Bill Craven, Republican, was a California State Assembly Member from 1974-1978, representing the 80th Assembly District from
1974-1975 then the 76th Assembly District. The Bill Craven Papers consist of 12 cubic feet of records reflecting Craven's
activities during his Assembly and Senate career. The collection contains Bill Files, 1974-1998.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open for research.
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], Bill Craven Papers, LP376:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of
State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The California State Archives acquired the Bill Craven Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.
Bill Craven, Republican, was a California State Assembly Member from 1974-1978, representing the 80th Assembly District from
1974-1975 then the 76th Assembly District. The 76th Assembly District included the cities of La Jolla, Carlsbad, Escondido,
and Poway. In 1979, Craven was elected to the California State Senate, representing the 38th Senate District. This district
included the cities of Laguna Nigiel, Vista, San Marcos, and Escondido.
Bill Craven was born on June 30, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Villanova University in Philadelphia
with a Bachelors of Science degree. He later received an honorary LL.B.Degree from National University.
Craven enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and was commissioned eighteen months later. He was attached to the
battalion that raised the flag atop Mt. Surabachi on Iwo Jima. Separated from service in 1946, he was recalled in 1950 for
three more years and finished his military career with the rank of major.
After completing his military career, Craven took a post as general manager of a concessions firm in Los Angeles. His earlier
work in radio and television led him to become a copywriter for an advertising firm. He later went on to become City Manager
for the City of San Marcos.
In 1970, he became the first San Diego County employee to be elected to the County Board of Supervisors. In 1973, he won
a special election for the 80th Assembly District seat after Assemblymember John Stull moved to the California State Senate.
In 1976, Craven won the 76th Assembly District seat.
As an Assembly Member and Senator, Craven's interests were local government, tax reform, coastal protection, campaign advertising,
and mobile home regulations. One of his most notable accomplishments was the creation of California Sate University, San
Marcos.
Aside from being a senator, Craven was active in the U.S. Jaycees. He served as their National Director and was honored with
their Distinguished Service Award. Senator Craven died in 1999 at the age of 78. He was survived by Marion, his wife of 55
years and his children, John, William Jr. and Tricia.
According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks) and the California Blue Book, Craven served on the following
committees:
- Standing and Interim Committees
- Labor Relations, 1975
- Local Government, 1975-1978
- *Chair, 1976-1978
- Public Employment and Retirement, 1975-1978
- Education, 1978
- Subcommittees
- Industrial Safety, 1975-1976
- Retirement, 1977-1978
- Select Committees
- Select Committee on Coastal Zone Resources, 1975
- Standing and Interim Committees
- Local Government, 1979-1998
- *Chair, 1995-1998
- Agriculture and Water Resources, 1979-1998
- *Vice Chair, 1979
- Business and Professions, 1979-1998
- Elections and Reapportionment, 1979-1998
- *Vice Chair, 1980-1998
- Rules, 1981-1994
- *Vice Chair, 1985-1994
- Subcommittees
- Mobile Home Problems, 1979-1982
- *Chair, 1979-1982
- Infrastructure and Public Works, 1983-1986
- Redevelopment of Antiquated Subdivisions, 1985-1989
- Agricultural Lands, 1989-1995
- Dairy Practices and Marketing, 1983-1995
- Economic Problems Facing Agriculture, 1983-1995
- Agricultural Lands, 1985-1988
- Water Marketing, 1985-1995
- Sports, 1987-1995
- Prescription Drugs, 1989
- Census, 1989
- Select Committees
- Political Reform Act of 1974, 1980
- Mobile Homes, 1983-1998
- *Chair, 1983
- Licensed and Designated Sports, 1983-1986
- Business Development, 1984-1996
- Citizen Participation in Government, 1984-1998
- Substance Abuse, 1987
- Health Hazards of the Workplace, 1989-1990
- Maritime Industry, 1989-1998
- Economic Development and Technology, 1993-1998
- Redevelopment, 1996
- Voting Practices and Procedure, 1994-1996
- *Vice Chair, 1994
- Taxation on Oil and Minerals, 1983
- Joint Committees
- Arts, 1984-1998
- Quincentennial of the Voyage of Columbus, 1989-1992
- Fire, Police, Emergency and Disaster Services, 1989
- Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1991-1995
- *Vice Chair, 1991-1992
- Legislative Retirement, 1983-1989
- *Chair, 1989
- Refugee Resettlement and International Migration, 1983-1989
- Courthouse Financing and Construction, 1990
- Additional Committees
- Research Committee on Neighborhood Violence, 1989
- Special Committee on Border Issues, 1991-1992
- *Chair, 1991-1992
- Commission on the Californias, 1979-1986
- Commission for Economic Development, 1984-1988
The Bill Craven Papers consist of 12 cubic feet of records reflecting Craven's activities during his Assembly and Senate career.
The collection contains Bill Files, 1974-1998.
The bill files document Craven's legislative activity during his term as a member of the California State Legislature. While
the bills introduced by Bill Craven include a wide array of subjects, his primary concerns included mobile home regulation,
local government, and coastal land protection. Noteworthy bills include SB1309 of 1994 which created the crime of aggravated
arson, SB1585 of 1995 that eased regulations on mobile home parks that want to become senior citizen only, SB310 of 1995 that
aides the conversion of mobile home parks to resident owned parks, and SB360 of 1988 that created a California State University
campus in San Marcos.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Craven, William A.
Local government
Mobile homes Law and legislation