The Robert T. Matsui Papers document the career of a Japanese American politician who served 13 terms, from 1979-2005, in the United States House of Representatives as Congressman for California's Sacramento district.

Robert Takeo Matsui (1941-2005) was a Japanese American politician who served 13 terms in the United States House of Representatives as Congressman for California's Sacramento district. Born on September 17, 1941, Matsui was six months old when he and his family were taken from Sacramento and interned by the U.S. government at the Tule Lake War Relocation Center in 1942. The family returned to Sacramento after the end of World War II, where Matsui remained until moving to attend the University of California, Berkeley as a Political Science major in 1959. Upon his graduation from Berkeley in 1963, Matsui opted to continue his education at the nearby University of California, Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, from which he graduated in 1966. Matsui married his wife, Doris Okada, the same year and returned to Sacramento to start his private law practice.

Number of containers: 245 cartons Linear feet: 306.25

Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Collection is restricted until January 1, 2020 or the death of Doris Matsui, whichever is later; researchers may apply for access to the collection. Inquiries regarding these materials should be directed, in writing, to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library.