http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt5b69s2ng No online items Finding Aid for the Alphonzo Bell papers 0215 Katie Richardson, Andrew Goodrich, Carina Lin, and Janeal Speight The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the Council on Library and Information Resources. USC Libraries Special Collections 2010 Doheny Memorial Library 206 3550 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, California 90089-0189 [email protected] URL: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/locations/special_collections/ Finding Aid for the Alphonzo Bell 0215 1 papers 0215 Language of Material: English Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections Title: Alphonzo Bell papers creator: Bell, Alphonzo Identifier/Call Number: 0215 Physical Description: 202 Linear Feet204 boxes Date (inclusive): 1933-1987 Abstract: Alphonzo Bell, Jr. (1914-2004) was a United States Congressman who represented the 27th and 28th Congressional Districts - which encompassed the communities of Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Bel Air, and West Los Angeles - between 1961 and 1977. Materials within the collection date from the 1930s to the 1980s and document Bell's political career. Conditions Governing Access COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access. Preferred Citation [Box/folder# or item name], Alphonzo Bell papers, Collection no. 0215, Regional History Collections, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California Acquisition The collection was given to the University of Southern California on November 12, 1976 by Alphonzo Bell. Conditions Governing Use All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. Biographical note Alphonzo Edward Bell, Jr., son of Alphonzo Edward Bell, Sr. and Minnewa Shoemaker, was born on September 19, 1914 in Los Angeles, California. He was born into a pioneering California family, whose ranching and real estate interests in Los Angeles and San Diego counties date back to the late 1800s. Bell's grandfather, James George Bell, was a cattle rancher who developed the present-day communities of Bell and Bell Gardens and was instrumental in the founding of Occidental College. Bell's father, Alphonzo Bell, Sr., was an oil magnate who invested his profits in the development of Santa Fe Springs and several upscale communities in Los Angeles' Westside, including Bel Air, parts of Beverly Hills, Westwood, and Pacific Palisades. Bell Jr. grew up on his father's cattle ranch, which was located near the present day community of Bel Air. In 1938, Bell graduated from Occidental College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. After college, he joined the United States Air Force and served as a Lieutenant Colonel from 1942 to 1944. Following his service, Bell became an active businessman in Los Angeles and was a leader in both civic and charitable activities for many years. He joined his family's oil business, the Bell Petroleum Company, and became its president after his father passed away. When Bell stepped into this leadership role he decided to concentrate the company's efforts on petroleum and phase out the land development business. Determined to expand the business, extensive exploration was carried out in California, Texas, and New Mexico. Ultimately, Bell tripled the value of the company with oil strikes throughout the West. He eventually sold the business in 1974. Bell had been interested in politics for many years, having been active in statewide Republican Party affairs since his discharge from the military. His foray into politics began in the late 1940s, when he helped found the Downtown Young Republicans Club in Los Angeles. However, it wasn't until the late 1950's, when the family business stabilized, that he decided to take a more proactive role in community leadership. Between 1956 and 1958, Bell served as Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee of California, and between 1958 and 1960, he served on the Republican Central Committee of Los Angeles. In 1960, Bell ran for a seat in the House of Representatives and won. He served as a representative of California's 27th and 28th Districts until 1977. Bell was a political moderate and was widely popular among his constituents, many of whom were registered Democrats. In 1964, he won reelection with the largest total vote and the largest margin of victory of any Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. In 1966, Bell's total vote and victory margin exceeded that of any House member in the nation from either political party. While in Congress, Bell was a member of the House Science and Technology Committee and the Education and Labor Committee. He also served on the following subcommittees: Science Research and Development, the General Subcommittee on Education, the Manned Space Flight Subcommittee, the Subcommittee on International Cooperation in Science and Space, and the Subcommittee on Equal Finding Aid for the Alphonzo Bell 0215 2 papers 0215 Opportunities. Despite his family's name recognition and his popularity, Bell was unable to win a higher seat in office. In 1969, Bell ran for Mayor of Los Angeles but lost to incumbent Sam Yorty. However, in the following election, Yorty was defeated by Tom Bradley, a Democratic candidate that Bell actively supported and campaigned for in spite of ill feelings on the part of his fellow Republicans for his support of Bradley. Again, Bell ran for a higher position, this time for a Senate seat in 1976 but lost the Republican primary to S.I. Hayakawa. Hayakawa went on to unseat Democrat John V. Tunney. Since Bell decided to run in the Senate primary he did not seek reelection to the House in 1976. During Bell's tenure, he received the Distinguished Service Award by the National Education Association, the Citation of Merit by the California Association of Adult School Administrators, and won the 1974 CACVE/ Governor's Award of the California Advisory Council on Vocational Education. On three occasions he received the Watchdog of the Treasury Award from the National Associated Businessmen, given to Congressmen for support of economy in government. He was unanimously commended by both the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1974, and was the recipient of numerous commendations and honors from educational, scientific, and public service organizations. Bell is credited with being instrumental in the passage of several groundbreaking pieces of legislation including the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Policy Act, the Older Americans Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Emergency School Assistance Act, the Higher Education Act Amendments, the Housing and Urban Development Act, the Family Assistance Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act Amendments, the Coal Mine Safety Act Amendments, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments, the Emergency Employment Act, the Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act, and the Fire Prevention and Control Act. Bell was a member of the Bel-Air Country Club, California Club, Jonathan Club, Petroleum Club of Los Angeles, and the University Club. In 1970, Bell married actress and tennis champion Marian McCargo, who he affectionately called "the love of his life". Both Bell and McCargo had previously been married. Bell had nine children: Stephen, Fonza, Matthew, Robert, Anthony, William, Graham, Harry, and Richard. Bell died from pneumonia on April 25, 2004, just 18 days after McCargo died of pancreatic cancer. Organization The collection is organized into the following series: 1. Campaign Materials; 2. Correspondence; 3. Legislative Files; 4. Speeches and Presentations; 5. Subject Files; 6. Photographs and Slides; 7. Clippings; 8. Publications. Original file titles were used to describe the materials in the collection. Separated Materials note The books have been removed from the collection and cataloged separately. Scope and Content The collection includes correspondence, administrative records, regulations and legislation, campaign materials, budget reports, commission and agency agendas, speeches, newspaper clippings, articles, and photographs from Alphonzo Bell's political career. The material is primarily print, originals, and photocopies. Subjects and Indexing Terms United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century -- Archival resources Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 20th century -- Archival resources Politicians -- California -- Archival resources Mailing lists Legislators -- United States -- Correspondence Political campaigns -- California -- History -- 20th century -- Archival resources Reports Correspondence Books Pamphlets Resolutions, Legislative -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources Elections -- United States -- 20th century -- Archival resources Legislative hearings -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources California -- Politics and government -- 20th century -- Archival resources Photographs Finding Aid for the Alphonzo Bell 0215 3 papers 0215 Slides (photographs) Education -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Archival resources Publications Legislative hearings -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Archival resources Bills, Legislative -- California