Ackerman (Dick) Papers, 1995-2008

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Summary

Title:
Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers
Dates:
1995-2008
Creators:
Ackerman, Richard (Dick), 1942- , California legislator
Abstract:
Richard "Dick" Ackerman, Republican, served in the California Legislature from 1995-2008. He was an Assembly Member representing the 72nd Assembly District from 1995-2000. From 2001-2008, he served as a State Senator for the 33rd Senate District. The Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers consist of 9 cubic feet of textual records and audiovisual materials and cover the years 1995-2008. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1995-2008; Subject Files, 1993-1999; Correspondence, 1995-1999; News Clippings, 1997-2007; and Proposition 208 Files, 1996-1997.
Extent:
9 cubic feet of textual records and 4 videocassettes
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers, LP452:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Richard (Dick) Ackerman papers consist of 9 cubic feet of textual records and audiovisual materials and cover the years 1995-2008. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1995-2008; Subject Files, 1993-1999; Correspondence, 1995-1999; News Clippings, 1997-2007; and Proposition 208 Files, 1996-1997.

The Bill Files are the bulk of his collection and a strong source of information about his legislative interests. Within this series, recurring topics include: economic growth promotion, (SB399, 2001-2002; SB47, 2003-2004), consumer protection (AB2582, 1999-2000; SB916, 2001-2002), local government (AB2503, 1995-1996; AB1774, 1997-1998), public safety (AB3357, 1995-1996; SB1784, 2001-2002), and tort reform (AB3259, 1995-1996; AB1446, 1997-1998; SB109, 2001-2002).

The Subject Files and News Clippings additionally reflect upon Ackerman’s political activities during his tenure with the California State legislature. Notable subject files relate to the 1995 Orange County bankruptcy crisis, Title IX gender equity, and the California budget and fiscal highlights. Press releases include articles reflecting Ackerman’s political opinions, such as tax reform, obscenity in the digital age, and education protection.

Biographical / historical:

Richard “Dick” Ackerman, Republican, served in the California Legislature from 1995 to 2008. He was first elected into the California State Assembly, winning a September special election runoff vote over Shirely Hafner (Democrat). Ackerman ran unopposed for the position in both the 1996 primary and general election. During his Assembly term, he represented the 72nd Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Fullerton, Placentia and Yorba Linda. After Ackerman’s Assembly term ended in 2000, he moved onto the State Senate, by winning the vacant Senate seat formerly occupied by John Lewis (Republican). Ackerman represented the 33rd Senate District, which encompassed the eastern portion of Orange County, until 2008. On May 10, 2004 Ackerman was elected as the Senate Republican leader and served as the Senate Minority Leader. He stepped down as Minority Leader in April 2008, relinquishing the position to Senator Dave Cogdill.

Dick Ackerman was born on December 5, 1942, in Long Beach, California. Ackerman graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics before entering the U.C. Hastings School of Law. Ackerman’s political career started with the Fullerton City Council where he served for twelve years. While in the city council, he served as Mayor of Fullerton in 1982 and 1986. At the local level, Ackerman served on the California State University, Fullerton’s President’s Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees of the Southern California College of Optometry. Ackerman and his wife, Linda, have three children and two grandchildren.

As a State Legislator, Ackerman’s legislative interests were varied, from business growth to education reform and tax reduction. He also authored numerous bills related to public safety, tort reform, and welfare reform.

During his term in the California Legislature, Ackerman served on the following committees according to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks), Assembly Final History, Senate Final History, and Pocket Directory of the California Legislature.

  • Assistant Republican Leader (Minority), 1998
  • Standing Committees
  • Appropriations, 1995-2000
  • Education, 1995-1996
  • Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, 1995-1996
  • Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1995-1996
  • Governmental Organization, 1999-2000
  • Higher Education, 1997-2000
  • Judiciary, 1999-2000 (Vice Chair, 2000)
  • Local Government, 1995-1996
  • Natural Resources, 1995-1996 (Vice Chair, 1996)
  • Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security, 1995-1996
  • Rules (Alternate), 1997
  • Subcommittees
  • Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response (Rules), 1997-1998
  • Select Committees
  • California Wine Industry, 1999-2000
  • Legislative Ethics, 1997-2000 (Co-Chair, 1997-1998)
  • Jobs-Housing Balance, 1999-2000
  • Professional Sports, 1997-1998
  • California Law Revision Commission, 1997-1998
  • Local Government Caucus, 1999-2000
  • Senate Republican Leader (Minority), 2004-2008
  • Standing Committees
  • Budget and Fiscal Review, 2001-2004 (Vice Chair, 2001-2004)
  • Government Modernization, Efficiency, and Accountability, 2005-2006
  • Housing and Community Development, 2001-2004
  • Judiciary, 2001-2008 (Vice Chair, 2006)
  • Labor and Industrial Relations, 2005-2008
  • Legislative Ethics, 2007-2008 (Vice Chair, 2007)
  • Local Government, 2001-2006
  • Subcommittees
  • Legislative, Executive Public Safety, and General Government (Budget and Fiscal Review), 2002-2004
  • Bad Faith Liability and Consumer Rights (Judiciary), 2003-2004
  • Select Committees
  • Anti-Terrorism Policy, 2001-2004
  • Asian and Pacific Rim Economic Development, 2007-2008
  • Asian/Pacific Rim Trade, 2005-2006
  • California-European Trade, 2005-2008 (Chair, 2005-2008)
  • California Wine Industry, 2001-2008
  • Urban Economic Development, 2003-2004
  • Joint Committees
  • Arts, 2001-2004
  • Legislative Budget, 2001-2004
  • Rules, 2007-2008
  • Joint Subcommittees
  • Special Subcommittee on State Expenditures to Purchase Electricity, 2002-2004
  • Senate Republican Caucus, 2005-2007
  • Commission on Uniform State Laws
Acquisition information:
California State Archives acquired the Richard (Dick) Ackerman papers in a series of ten transfers beginning in 1997 (Accession Numbers: 2008-185, 2008-053, 2007-040, 2004-015, 2002-331, 2000-12-11, 1999-12-10, 1999-09-26, 1999-05-35, and 97-02-18).
Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Jason Sarmiento
Date Prepared:
© 2014
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Jason Sarmiento. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: November 2013.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

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], Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers, LP452:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website