In 1966, under the direction of the University Librarian, Morris Polan, Cal State LA became the repository for the Public Officials' Papers, a series of manuscript collections of prominent Los Angeles government officials.
Richard Alatorre
Richard Alatorre served as a California State Assemblyman from 1973-1983 and as Los Angeles City Councilman from 1985 -1999. Approximately 38 linear feet, the collection consists of papers from Alatorre's tenure as State Assemblyman of the 55th District.
Ernest E. Debs
Ernest E. Debs (1904-2002) represented the 56th District as State Assemblyman (1942-1947), the 13th District as City Councilman (1947-1958), and the 3rd District on the County Board of Supervisors (1958-1974). While in the State Assembly, he authored the bill establishing California State University, Los Angeles. As County Supervisor, he chaired thirteen major departments, and served on numerous other committees. The collection is approximately 182 linear feet and contains manuscripts from his tenure as County Supervisor.
Julian C Dixon
Julian C. Dixon (1934-2000) served as a California State Assembly Member of the 49th Assembly District, and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 28th and 32nd Congressional Districts. Dixon graduated from California State University, Los Angeles in 1962. The materials in the collection include California Assembly files, press clippings, general office files, press releases, speeches, and photographs.
Mervyn Dymally
Mervyn Dymally (1926-2012) served as California State Assemblyman for the 52nd and 53rd District, and as State Senator for the 29th District. Dymally completed a Bachelor of Arts in education at California State University, Los Angeles in 1954. Dymally is known for breaking barriers as a black lawmaker in California and in Congress after moving to the United States from his native Trinidad at age 19. The collection consists of government correspondence, press clippings, press releases, speeches, and photographs.
John C Holland
John C. Holland (1893-1970) was one of the longest serving Los Angeles City Council members, serving from 1943-1967. One of few who opposed the proposal, Holland was City Councilman during the contentious decision to abandon public housing plans in Chavez Ravine, and instead move forward with the construction of Dodger Stadium. The collection contains one of the very few remaining original eviction notices mailed out by the City of Los Angeles Housing Authority to residents of Chavez Ravine.
Julian Nava
Julian C. Nava (1927- ) served on the Los Angeles City Board of Education and was a United States Ambassador to Mexico. Nava grew up in East Los Angeles and studied at East Los Angeles Community College before transferring to Pomona College. In 1955, Nava received his Doctorate in Latin American History from Harvard University. Nava is currently retired and holds the title of emeritus professor at CSU Northridge.
