Bill Craven, California Legislator
Biography
Bill Craven, Republican, was a California State Assembly Member from 1974-1978, representing the 80th Assembly District from 1974-1975 then the 76th Assembly District. The 76th Assembly District included the cities of La Jolla, Carlsbad, Escondido, and Poway. In 1979, Craven was elected to the California State Senate, representing the 38th Senate District. This district included the cities of Laguna Nigiel, Vista, San Marcos, and Escondido.
Bill Craven was born on June 30, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Villanova University in Philadelphia with a Bachelors of Science degree. He later received an honorary LL.B.Degree from National University.
Craven enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and was commissioned eighteen months later. He was attached to the battalion that raised the flag atop Mt. Surabachi on Iwo Jima. Separated from service in 1946, he was recalled in 1950 for three more years and finished his military career with the rank of major.
After completing his military career, Craven took a post as general manager of a concessions firm in Los Angeles. His earlier work in radio and television led him to become a copywriter for an advertising firm. He later went on to become City Manager for the City of San Marcos.
In 1970, he became the first San Diego County employee to be elected to the County Board of Supervisors. In 1973, he won a special election for the 80th Assembly District seat after Assemblymember John Stull moved to the California State Senate. In 1976, Craven won the 76th Assembly District seat.
As an Assembly Member and Senator, Craven's interests were local government, tax reform, coastal protection, campaign advertising, and mobile home regulations. One of his most notable accomplishments was the creation of California Sate University, San Marcos.
Aside from being a senator, Craven was active in the U.S. Jaycees. He served as their National Director and was honored with their Distinguished Service Award. Senator Craven died in 1999 at the age of 78. He was survived by Marion, his wife of 55 years and his children, John, William Jr. and Tricia.
According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks) and the California Blue Book, Craven served on the following committees:
State Assembly, 1974-1978
- Standing and Interim Committees
- Labor Relations, 1975
- Local Government, 1975-1978
- *Chair, 1976-1978
- Public Employment and Retirement, 1975-1978
- Education, 1978
- Subcommittees
- Industrial Safety, 1975-1976
- Retirement, 1977-1978
- Select Committees
- Select Committee on Coastal Zone Resources, 1975
State Senate, 1990-1996
- Standing and Interim Committees
- Local Government, 1979-1998
- *Chair, 1995-1998
- Agriculture and Water Resources, 1979-1998
- *Vice Chair, 1979
- Business and Professions, 1979-1998
- Elections and Reapportionment, 1979-1998
- *Vice Chair, 1980-1998
- Rules, 1981-1994
- *Vice Chair, 1985-1994
- Subcommittees
- Mobile Home Problems, 1979-1982
- *Chair, 1979-1982
- Infrastructure and Public Works, 1983-1986
- Redevelopment of Antiquated Subdivisions, 1985-1989
- Agricultural Lands, 1989-1995
- Dairy Practices and Marketing, 1983-1995
- Economic Problems Facing Agriculture, 1983-1995
- Agricultural Lands, 1985-1988
- Water Marketing, 1985-1995
- Sports, 1987-1995
- Prescription Drugs, 1989
- Census, 1989
- Select Committees
- Political Reform Act of 1974, 1980
- Mobile Homes, 1983-1998
- *Chair, 1983
- Licensed and Designated Sports, 1983-1986
- Business Development, 1984-1996
- Citizen Participation in Government, 1984-1998
- Substance Abuse, 1987
- Health Hazards of the Workplace, 1989-1990
- Maritime Industry, 1989-1998
- Economic Development and Technology, 1993-1998
- Redevelopment, 1996
- Voting Practices and Procedure, 1994-1996
- *Vice Chair, 1994
- Taxation on Oil and Minerals, 1983
- Joint Committees
- Arts, 1984-1998
- Quincentennial of the Voyage of Columbus, 1989-1992
- Fire, Police, Emergency and Disaster Services, 1989
- Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1991-1995
- *Vice Chair, 1991-1992
- Legislative Retirement, 1983-1989
- *Chair, 1989
- Refugee Resettlement and International Migration, 1983-1989
- Courthouse Financing and Construction, 1990
- Additional Committees
- Research Committee on Neighborhood Violence, 1989
- Special Committee on Border Issues, 1991-1992
- *Chair, 1991-1992
- Commission on the Californias, 1979-1986
- Commission for Economic Development, 1984-1988
From the guide to the Bill Craven Papers, 1974-1998, (California State Archives)
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| creatorOf | Bill Craven Papers, 1974-1998 | California State Archives |
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| associatedWith | Craven, William A. | person |
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| Local government |
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