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Inventory of the Eugene Chappie Papers
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Title: Eugene Chappie papers,
Date (inclusive): 1965-1980
Collection number: See series descriptions
Creator:
Chappie, Eugene
Extent:
7.5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Eugene A. Chappie, Republican, was a State Assembly Member, 1965-1980. Bills introduced by him cover a wide array of subjects
including welfare reform, removal of architectural barriers for the handicapped, feeding of guide dogs for the blind, and
environmental protection and planning.
Physical location: California State Archives
Language:
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], Eugene Chappie papers,LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
The California State Archives acquired the Eugene Chappie Papers following his final Assembly term.
Alternative Forms of Material Available
Microfilm copies of bill files are available for the years 1965-1980 at the California State Archives.
In addition, there are unprocessed records consisting mainly of subject files from 1966-1978. Also included are scrapbooks,
correspondence, photos, and miscellaneous videotapes, and sound recordings. Please consult California State Archives staff.
Eugene A. Chappie, Republican, was a State Assembly Member, 1965-1980. He was first elected to the 6th Assembly District
in 1964 representing Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Mono, and Inyo Counties.
As a result of reapportionment in 1973, his district changed to District 3 and included the counties of Butte, Colusa, Nevada,
Placer, Sierra, Sutter, and Yuba beginning with the 1974 elections.
Chappie was born in Sacramento on March 28, 1920 and attended schools in Sacramento, although the family ranch was in Cool,
El Dorado County. His first grade teacher gave him the name Chappie from his Italian surname of Chiappa. He was a rancher
by profession and served in World War II and the Korean War. On October 5, 1941, Chappie married Paula Di Benedetto and together
they had five children; Susan, Eugene II, John, Tina, and Linda. He married again in the 1980s after the disillusion of his
first marriage.
In 1950 Governor Earl Warren appointed Chappie to a vacant seat on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. He served on
the Board from 1950-1964.
Chappie was elected to the State Assembly for the first time in 1964. In looking back on his legislative career, Chappie
stated that he often times had to obtain permission to leave the state in order to visit parts of his eleven county 6th District,
which he represented. The district stretched from Death Valley to north of Lake Tahoe. He claimed to have totaled three
cars and one airplane over the years that he represented that district. He was almost relieved when his district was reapportioned
out of his district in 1973 and became somewhat more manageable.
During his term in the Legislature, Chappie was a member of the following committees.
- Standing Committees
- Agriculture, 1975-1980
- Budget, Legislative, 1974
- Government Administration, 1969-1971
- Government Organization, 1965-1967, 1979-1980
- *Vice Chair, 1965-1967
- Health and Welfare, 1969-1970
- Intergovernmental Relations, 1971-1972; 1977
- Local Government, 1971-1974, 1979
- *Vice Chair, 1971-1972
- *Chair, 1979
- Municipal County Government, 1965-1969
- Planning and Land Use, 1971-1973
- *Vice Chair, 1972-1973
- Planning, Land Use and Energy, 1974
- *Vice Chair, 1974
- Rules, 1969-1970, 1975
- *Chair, 1969-1970
- Social Welfare, 1965-1969
- *Chair, 1966-1968
- Water, 1965-1968
- Ways and Means, 1972-1978
- Joint Committees
- Budget, Legislative, 1974-1980
- Fairs, Allocation and Classification, 1972-1980
- Subcommittee on Fairs and Horse Racing, 1979-1980
Chappie was proud of the fact that he was the only Republican chair of a committee (Social Welfare) during Jesse Unruh's tenure
as Speaker of the Assembly.
As a result of his legislation concerning off-road vehicles, the Eugene Chappie Off-Highway Vehicle Park in Beckwourth Riverfront
Park, Marysville was named in his honor.
In addition, as a member of the Legislature, Chappie served as Chair of the Assembly Republican Caucus in the 1970s and served
on the California Heritage Preservation Commission, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Commission of the Californias.
In 1980 Chappie won election to the House of Representatives and served six years as a member of Congress. He then served
as a political consultant for a national public relations firm for the next few years. In 1988 Governor George Deukmejian
appointed him to fill a vacancy on the El Dorado Board of Supervisors. In 1990 he lost his only election of his career when
he attempted to be a full term supervisor. He died on May 31, 1992.
The Eugene A. Chappie Papers consist of Bill Files, 1965-1980. The bill files document Chappie's legislative activity during
his term as a member of the California State Legislature. Bills introduced by him cover a wide array of subjects including
welfare reform, removal of architectural barriers for the handicapped, feeding of guide dogs for the blind, off road vehicles,
and Lake Tahoe Basin planning.
The Eugene Chappie papers are arranged into two series: bill files and photographs.
The following terms have been associated with these materials in the Archives'
automated public access system (currently in development, September 2004).
Chappie, Eugene
California - - Legislature - - Assembly
Environmental policy
People with disabilities Legal status, laws, etc.
Related Material
Eugene A. Chappie, Oral History Interview, Conducted in 1990 by Donald B. Seney, California State University, Sacramento,
for the California State Archives, State Government Oral History Program.