Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Inventory of the Howard L. Berman Papers, 1973-1982
LP207:150-229  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Administrative Information
  • Biography
  • Scope and Content
  • Indexing Terms

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Berman (Howard L.) Papers,
    Date (inclusive): 1973-1982
    Collection number: LP207:150-229
    Creator: Berman, Howard L.
    Extent: 3 Cubic Feet
    Repository: California State Archives
    Sacramento, California
    Abstract: Howard L. Berman, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member, 1973-1982. From 1974- 1980 Berman held the position of Assembly Majority Floor Leader. He also served as Democratic Caucus Chairman from 1981-1982. Berman authored bills concerning patient rights to access their own medical records, bail system reform, employee rights, and environmental issues.
    Physical location: California State Archives
    Language: English.

    Administrative Information

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Publication Rights

    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], Howard L. Berman Papers, LP207:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

    Acquisition Information

    The California State Archives acquired the Berman (Howard L.) Papers following his Assembly term.

    Processing History

    This collection was processed by staff of the California State Archives over a period of time and described in a finding aid in 2003.

    Biography

    Howard L. Berman, Democrat, was a State Assembly Member, 1973-1982. He represented cities within Los Angeles County in the 57th Assembly District. Following redistricting in 1975, he represented the 43rd Assembly District.
    Berman was born on April 15, 1941 in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles where he earned his B.A. and LL.B. degrees. He was a legal intern for the U.S. Department of Labor, a legislative intern for the Assembly Agriculture Committee and, a VISTA volunteer. Before entering politics he worked as an attorney. Berman was married to Harriet Katz until 1975. In 1979 he married Janis Schwartz with whom he has two daughters: Brinley and Lindsey.
    Howard Berman was active in community affairs: serving as president of the California Federation of Young Democrats and as a member of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the American Jewish Committee, Americans for Democratic Action, the Beverly Hills Democratic Club, the Fair Housing Council, and the Sierra Club.
    Howard Berman was elected to the State Assembly in 1973. In 1974, Berman was appointed Assembly Majority Floor Leader and held that position until 1980. He also served as Democratic Caucus Chairman from 1981-1982.
    According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks), Berman served on the following committees:

    California State Assembly, 1973-1982

    • Standing Committees
    • Business and Professions, 1981-1982
    • Education, 1973-1974
    • Elections and Reapportionment, 1976; 1981-1982
    • Finance, Insurance and Commerce, 1976-1977
    • Judiciary, 1979-1982
    • Labor, Employment, and Consumer Affairs, 1977
    • Labor Relations, 1973-1976
    • Vice Chair, 1973-1974
    • Policy Research Management, 1979
    • Chair, 1981-1982
    • Transportation, 1973-1974
    • Water, Parks and Wildlife, 1978-1980
    • Ways and Means, 1975; 1978-1982
    • Special Subcommittee
    • California's Food and Agricultural Economy, 1976
    • Select Committees
    • Agriculture, Food and Nutrition, 1973-1974
    • Juvenile Violence, 1974
    • Medical Malpractice, 1973-1975
    • Chair, 1975
    • Joint Committees
    • Legal Equality, 1974, 1976
    • Vice Chair, 1976
    • Legislative Budget Committee, 1981-1982
    • Public Employer-Employee Relations, 1974
    • To Oversee the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, 1977-1978
    Assembly Member Howard Berman was elected to represent California in the United States House of Representatives in 1982.

    Scope and Content

    The Howard L. Berman Papers consist of Assembly Bill Files, 1975-1982. The bill files document his legislative activity during his term as a member of the California State Legislature. The bills introduced by Berman include a wide array of subjects. He authored bills concerning patient rights to access their own medical records, bail system reform, employee rights, and environmental issues. In addition, as a member of the Legislature, Berman's major legislative accomplishments include the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the Santa Monica Mountains Comprehensive Planning Commission, the Women and Singles Fair Credit Law and legislation to prohibit discrimination against pregnant employees. There are 41 color photos that are associated with several of these bill files.
    Berman's Papers include Balanced Federal Budget Files, 1978-1979. These files pertain to a Constitutional Convention on a balanced Federal Budget.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been associated with these materials in the Archives' automated public access system (currently in development, November 2003).
    Berman, Howard L. (Howard Lawrence), 1941-
    Labor policy
    Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Calif.)
    Democratic Caucus (Calif.)