Jack O’Connell Collection

Collection

Identifier: O'CONNELL-2003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents Jack O'Connell's political career from 1983 to 2002, encompassing his service as a California State Assemblyman, State Senator, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. It includes a diverse range of materials such as press releases, articles, editorials, general legislation, committee and subcommittee appointments, speeches, awards, scheduling books, handwritten notes, photographs, physical artifacts, and correspondence. The collection highlights O'Connell's legislative work and advocacy on issues ranging from community safety, environmental protection, public health, women's rights, animal welfare, LGBTQIA+ rights, the rights of older adults and people with disabilities, criminal justice reform, to education. Key education-related achievements include his leadership in championing the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE), his efforts to increase class sizes, and his role in establishing California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI). Environmental highlights focus on his work in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and the Central Coast region, notably his advocacy for the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, coastal habitat preservation, and limiting offshore oil leases. His environmental legislation also includes efforts such as the BEACON (Beach Erosion Authority for Control Operations and Nourishment) beach restoration project, and Land Acquisition & Preservation initiatives, notably the protection of the Wilcox/Douglas Family Preserve, Carpinteria Pool, and Carpinteria Bluffs, as well as his work on the Casmalia Toxic Waste Dump Site cleanup and Lompoc pesticides regulation. This collection offers a comprehensive view of O'Connell’s contributions to California’s environmental, educational, and social policies during his time in office.

Dates

1983 – 2002

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is available for research by appointment only. Please contact Archives and Special Collections staff in advance to request access.

Conditions Governing Use

Normal copyright restrictions apply. Please review the Fair Use defense. See https://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/faqs/copyright-protection. Please contact the archivist for formal citation.

Biographical / Historical

Jack O'Connell served as Assemblyman, Senator, and Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of California. He was instrumental in the development of a four year public university in Ventura County by authoring Senate Bills 623 and 1923, which paved the way for the establishment of California State University Channel Islands. Mr. O’Connell’s mother, Ruth O’Connell, was a nurse at the former Camarillo State Hospital, now CSUCI. In 2003, Mr. O’Connell donated a variety of materials from his time as State Senator, Assemblyman, and Superintendent of Public Instruction to initiate his own archival collection at CSUCI. His materials include artifacts, correspondence, documents, legislative bills, memorabilia, and photographs that touch upon campus history and engage and reflect on 1980’s and 1990’s educational, environmental, and health and safety policies, as well as aspects of local politics. The processing of this collection is on-going; please use the contact info below for detailed information about the collection.