Frank P. Belotti Papers, 1957-1972

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Summary

Creators:
Belotti, Frank P.
Abstract:
Frank P. Belotti, Republican, was a State Assembly Member, 1951-1972. Bills introduced by Belotti cover a wide array of subjects including agriculture, education, environmental conservation, and land use.
Extent:
10 cubic feet
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The Frank P. Belotti Papers consist of 10 cubic feet of records reflecting Belotti's activities during his time as an Assembly Member. The records contain Assembly bill files, 1957-1972; office correspondence files, 1959-1972; and committee papers, 1957-1970. The bill files in the collection document Belotti's activity during the latter period of his service in the California State Legislature (bill files for 1951-1956, 1958, 1960, and 1966 were not transferred to the Archives). Bills introduced by Belotti cover a wide array of subjects including agriculture, education, environmental conservation, and land use. The office correspondence generated by Belotti's legislative interests makes up the office correspondence series of the collection. Invitations and thank you letters that Belotti received and sent while in office are also included in the office correspondence files. Belotti retained some hearing transcripts and working papers from several of the committees on which he served. These committee papers make up the third series in this collection.

Biographical / historical:

Frank P. Belotti, Republican, was a State Assembly Member, 1951-1972. His 1st Assembly District included Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties. Following redistricting in 1962, his District included Lake County. After the 1966 reapportionment, Belotti represented the 2nd Assembly District, which included parts of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Sonoma Counties.

Belotti was born on January 3, 1898 and established residence in California in 1924. Prior to that time he attended business college in Massachusetts and graduated from Dodges Institute of Railway Accounting and Telegraphy in Valparaiso, Indiana. He studied Business Administration at the University of Valparaiso. Before entering politics, he made his living as a telegraph operator until 1926 when he became a fur farmer near Eureka. Belotti married Delphine Moranda of Ferndale in 1934.

In addition to politics, Frank Belotti was also a member of the Humboldt County Planning Commission; Past President of the Eureka Kiwanis Club; and Past Master of the Humboldt Grange. Belotti was a member of the Moose Association, Commonwealth Club, Redwood Empire Association, Wool Growers, and the Farm Bureau Federation. He was also the Director of the California Marine Parks and Harbors Association.

Frank Belotti was elected to the State Assembly in 1950. He served in the Assembly through 1972, when he died in office on November 30, 1972. Belotti sponsored legislation concerned with improving highways, education, flood control and water conservation, district and county affairs, the logging and lumber industry, fish and game, and agriculture.

According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks), Belotti served on the following committees:

California State Assembly, 1951-1972
  • Standing Committees
  • Agriculture, 1951; 1965-1972
  • Constitutional Amendments, 1951-1953
  • *Chair, 1953
  • Conservation, Planning, and Public Works, 1955-1957
  • Education, 1953-1955
  • Fish and Game, 1955-1957
  • *Chair, 1955-1957
  • Livestock and Dairies, 1953-1963
  • *Chair, 1959-1963
  • Natural Resources and Conservation, 1971-1972
  • Retirement, 1971-1972
  • *Vice Chair, 1971-1972
  • Transportation and Commerce, 1951-1967
  • Water, 1959-1965; 1969
  • Ways and Means, 1953-1972
  • Joint Committees
  • Fairs Allocation and Classification Committee, 1969-1972
  • *Chair, 1969-1972

In addition, as a member of the Legislature, Belotti was a senior member of the Wildlife Conservation Board.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the Frank P. Belotti Papers following his final Assembly term.
Arrangement:

The Frank P. Belotti Papers are arranged into three series: bill files, office correspondence files, and committee papers.

Physical location:
California State Archives

Access and use

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