Oral Histories

Interview of Marvin L. Holen

Consultant and counsel for the California Assembly Committee on Ways and Means from 1959 to 1961.
Subtitle:
Marvin L. Holen
Series:
California State Archives State Government Oral History Program
Topic:
Politics and Government
Biographical Note:
Consultant and counsel for the California Assembly Committee on Ways and Means from 1959 to 1961.
Interviewer:
Vasquez, Carlos
Interviewee:
Holen, Marvin L.
Persons Present:
Holen and Vasquez.
Place Conducted:
Holen's office in Los Angeles, California.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Interviewer Background and Preparation:
The interview was conducted by Carlos Vasquez, Director, UCLA State Government Interview Series, UCLA Oral History Program; B.A., Political Science, UCLA; M.A., Political Science, Stanford University; Ph.D. candidate, History, UCLA.There exist no private papers which the interviewer was able to consult for this interview.
Processing of Interview:
Lisa White, editorial assistant, checked the verbatim manuscript of the interview against the original tape recordings, edited for punctuation, paragraphing, and spelling, and with the interviewer verified proper names. Insertions by the editor are bracketed. The interviewer prepared the introductory materials. Holen reviewed and retained the edited transcript and verbally gave permission to complete the processing.
Language:
English
Copyright:
CSA
Series Statement:
Interviews in this series were undertaken by the UCLA Oral History Program under the auspices of the California State Archives and in conjunction with the California State University, Fullerton, Oral History Program; California State University, Sacramento, Center for California Studies Oral History Program; Claremont Graduate School Oral History Program; and the University of California, Berkeley, Regional Oral History Office. Funds were allocated to the state archives after Governor George Deukmejian signed into law Assembly Bill 2104 (Chapter 965 of the Statutes of 1985), establishing a state government oral history program "to provide through the use of oral history a continuing documentation of state policy development as reflected in California's legislative and executive history." All interviews in the series are available at the California State Archives in Sacramento.
Abstract:
Born in Burbank, California; first meets Virginia and Jesse M. Unruh and Jean and Robert Wells while a high school student; participates in creating a James Roosevelt for Governor Club; participates in the California Democratic Guild; attends UCLA; serves as Assemblyman Unruh's legislative adviser; drafts language for the Unruh Civil Rights Act; origin of the 1961 Retail Installment Sales Act; Holen becomes the first full-time consultant to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means; chairs "No on Proposition 14" campaign, fighting repeal of the Rumford Fair Housing Act; Holen's law practice; serves on the boards of directors of the California Museum Foundation, Los Angeles Theatre Center, and the Southern California Rapid Transit District; family background; education; early involvement in political activities; origin and development of his long friendship with Jesse Unruh; comments on many legislators and Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, Sr.