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Sen. Seymour Fundraiser 9/19/91 [OA 8328] [2]
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Sen. Seymour Fundraiser 9/19/91 [OA 8328] [2]
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Speech Backup Chronological Files
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13770
Folder ID Number:
13770-008
Folder Title:
Sen. Seymour Fundraiser 9/19/91 [OA 8328] [2]
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26
21
6
2
DRAFT
September 16, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
DAVE DEMAREST
TONY SNOW
FROM:
DAN McGROARTY
SUBJECT:
DINNER FOR SENATOR JOHN SEYMOUR
I. Discussion
On Thursday, September 19, at you will deliver remarks to an
745?
pn
audience of approximately 600 at a fundraiser for Senator John
Seymour in the Los Angeles Ballroom of the Century Plaza Hotel in
Los Angeles, California. Senator Seymour, Governor Pete
Wilson, former Governor George Deukmejian, and a bevy of
Hollywood stars are expected to attend.
Fl
Your remarks (approximately 10 minutes/on cards) highlight
Jhe Senator Seymour Then they focus on America 41 2000, and the
powerful ideas of the Republican Party. The joke referencing
Santa Monica (page two) is timely because that city operates with
an extreme leftist government.
's accomplishneab on The Senate
Regarding two Johes : the P. 2 replace reference
"localcotor"
to S. Manica time refers plays on that city's
notorious left-hberal government, The
Robin Hood john is a po he at State Democrats'
hearphanded redistricting schemes.
September 12, 1991
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jeannie Bunton/Dan McGroarty
FROM: H.D. oH
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE THEMES FOR THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH
After kicking this around with the everyone in the "loop," here are
some general thoughts and themes that we 'umbly submit for your
review. If you need more info on any of these points, feel free to
give me a shout at 224-9637 or 224-9652.
1) "SEYMOUR THE MAN" - John Seymour is the embodiment of the
California dream, coming here (Calif.) to seek opportunity and a
better life for himself and his family. Fresh out of the Marine Corps
and a UCLA graduate, he started with nothing and went on build a
successful real estate business that employed 125 people. He knows
what it's like to start up a business and meet a payroll (possible
analogy with West Texas/Zapata??). Through hard work, he became
a California success story.
2) "SEYMOUR THE PUBLIC SERVANT" -- Having become successful in
business, Seymour reached a point where he wanted to give
something back to the community and the state that had given him so
much. So he chose to sell his business and devote himself full-time
to public service -- Anaheim City Council, Mayor of Anaheim, State
Senator from Orange County. And now, California's United States
Senator.
(NOTE: Somewhere in Points 1 and 2 would probably be a good point
to bring in the family aspect. John and Judy have six kids [note here
-- by two marriages] and four grandkids.)
3) SEYMOUR THE ACCOMPLISHER ** In just the few short months he's
been in Washington, Seymour has been a workhorse and a fighter for
California interests.
He succeeded in getting five solid amendments adopted as part of
the President's comprehensive anti-crime bill DE the most of any
Senator not sitting on the Judiciary Committee.
He's stands with the president on critical measures needed to get
the economy under control - balanced budget amendment and line-
item veto.
And he was with Bush when it mattered the most on a close vote --
his first vote in the Senate, 48 hours after being sworn in --
supporting the use of U.S. forces to kick Saddam Hussein out of
Kuwait.
BUT
while a lot of people and pundits in and around Washington
focus on the bigger issues, John Seymour is one person who's not
about to get a case of Potomac Fever; he's been back home nearly
every weekend since taking office. When he is in Washington, he's
been a real fighter for California's interests in Washington, and he's
made a real difference in communities throughout the state.
It was through his hard work that farmworkers in the Central Valley
were able to get aid and assistance to help them in the wake of last
winter's Arctic Freeze. When heavy rains threatened to cause
flooding in Santa Barbara last February, It was John Seymour who
personally intervened in February to get a channel cleared in Santa
Barbara, keeping two hundred families from losing their homes to
floods.
And it was John Seymour who cut through the red tape to get a
compensation check for a lady who was disabled on the job two
years ago, and who had given up hope of ever getting help. Her
guardian told this to Senator Seymour: "Today, when it seems that
only people with wealth and influence can have access to
politicians, it is very nice to run into someone who cares about the
unfortunate, hardworking labor class person in need of help."
CLOSING THEME -- When you get to know John Seymour as well as I
have, you'll agree with me that he provides the kind of leadership
that California needs in the United States Senate. Join with me in
helping to make John Seymour California's Senior United States
Senator in 1992.
McGroarty/Bunton
September 12, 1991
(60/12)
4:00 pm
[SEYMOUR]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: SEYMOUR FUNDRAISER
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Gov. Geymars paterison swife
SEPTEMBER 19, 1991
7:45 P.M.
Thanks, all of you, for this warm welcome. [Introductory
acknowledgements. ] It's a pleasure to be here at the Century --
on the Avenue of Stars with so many of L.A.'s brightest lights.
\
[[It's always great to come in with Charleton Heston. We were
running a bit late --- until he parted the Westend traffic. //
Z
Of course, Chuck and I talk politics. Did any of you know that
Moses came down from the mountain bearing the Second Amendment?] ]
Let me salute Bob Hope: Commander-in-Chief of comedy. //
3
[[Don Johnson's here, with Melanie Griffith - and her dress.
/
Back in Washington, Barbara and I like to think of ourselves as
4
the Don and Melanie of the Geritol set. //]] [[I've placed the
Secret Service on high-alert. That's right -- Chuck Norris is
)
here. ]] //
Last but not least, the reason we're here tonight -- the
JOHN
rising star of the U.S. Senate: Paul Seymour. //
JOHN'S
Everyone knows Paul's story: his transition from successful
businessman, active in his community, to Mayor of Anaheim - - and
later, member of the California State Senate. Then, Governor
JOHN
Pete Wilson tapped Paul to take his seat in Washington -- and
tonight, we're here to make sure he stays in the Senate. //
2
Senator Seymour wasted no time in making a mark for himself
on Capitol Hill. 48 hours after his arrival, Paul took part in a
solemn debate that rivalled the best traditions of the Senate --
and cast a momentous vote to permit the use of force to free
Kuwait. //
To Paul -- and to all of you who stood with me and with our
fighting men and women during the days of DESERT STORM: my
heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support. //
Now, the epicenter of change has shifted from the Middle
East to Moscow. One month ago, the Soviet Union thrust itself
into the spotlight. What began as the Old Guard's attempt to
turn back the clock turned into the last gasp of a dying
ideology. The coup failed, and Communism stood exposed and empty
at its core. In Russia and the other republics, for the first
time, people tasted the power that comes from passionate belief
in universal ideals.
The collapse of communism stands as a triumph for men and
women everywhere. A victory for the principles the Republican
Party holds dear - principles we've pledged to defend: freedom,
democracy and the dignity of man. //
The after-shocks of that ideological earthquake have made
themselves felt around the world [[-- even right here in
California. Just last night the citizens of Santa Monica stormed
City Hall and knocked down their statue of Lenin. ]] //
But even in times of tremendous change, some things still
stay the same. Next time you're in Washington, visit Capitol
3
Hill --- chances are, you'd see more signs of life at the
7
Hollywood Wax Museum. //
The party in charge of Congress may not see that Americans
want action ---- but the Republican Party has the message. We're
waging a battle from now through 1992 to take back the Senate ---
and get Capitol Hill moving on our domestic agenda. / We can
start right here. Help California keep its edge: elect Paul
Seymour to the Senate. //
In his eight short months in office, Paul has adapted well
to the strange new world of the Senate. One measure of his
effectiveness: Paul won passage of five amendments to the Crime
Bill: five key tough-on-crime provisions -- more amendments than
any Senator except the ones who serve on the Judiciary Committee.
Thanks to Paul Seymour, California's -- and this country's ---
streets may just get a little safer. //
Paul has also been a key sponsor of America 2000 - our
revolutionary National Education Strategy. Take any number of
problems we cope with today -- from crime and drugs to economic
competitiveness: Education is part of the solution. //
Right now, our schools can't pass the test. Take a look at
this state's graduation rate: California ranks 42nd out of 50.
Just 65 percent of California's students graduate with their
class. One in every three kids fall through the cracks -- and
that's a crime. //
America 2000 offers answers, not excuses. America 2000 is
about change -- and change strikes fear in the hearts of the
(20mb)
4
status quo. Critics in the education establishment and their
friends on Capitol Hill slam us with the same old refrain: we
aren't spending enough on our schools. / Well, it's time for
Bir Birgan
them to check their math.
school year ending
(81-82) (91-92)
Nau
*
Look at the numbers: From 1980 to 1990, after adjusting for
figures
inflation, per pupil spending in public elementary and secondary are jublic
34%
school yr. ending 82-92
schools rose 35%. From 1980 to 1990 -- again, after inflation -
spending
21.4%
- public school teachers' salaries increased more than 20%.
only
1982
Overall, since 1980, spending on public schools has jumped
39%(38.79)
public only
91-92
by more than 33% -- and I don't know anyone, anywhere who will
39
%
stand up and say we've seen a 33 percent improvement in our
figures the are
garailel
schools. ///
the
don't expenditures exact
figurates
The American people aren't stingy.
They 11 pay more taxes,
INGENERAL
they'll pass that school bond -- provided their kids get a
quality education. But the American people know there are
problems plaguing our schools that a fistful of dollars won't
fix. //
Real reform begins with raising expections - and freeing
our schools to meet them. It means making today's schools better
-- and building "break the mold" schools to serve the students of
tomorrow. Real reform recognizes the limits to what teachers and
schools can do -- and the role that parents and communities must
(GEPT/OCT 31
play. Earlier this month, I generated some controversy with my
about
remarks on TV and its affect on our kids. [[By the way, Chuck
8
Norris agrees: we've got to get violence off TV, and keep it
where it belongs -- in the movie theaters. ]] But the fact is,
5
kids that sit in front of the tube all day may be great news for
the Neilson ratings, but it won't help our SAT scores.
Real reform means taking responsibility -- challenging our
communities to get involved --- giving parents the power to choose
which school is best for their kids. //
That's America 2000: common sense - but then again, as Tom
Paine understood, in the right circumstances, common sense can be
revolutionary. //
In California -- across this country ------- we are witnessing a
(REAGAN REVOLUTION)
Republican revolution. We've known for a long time our party is
the party of American ideals -- that our faith in freedom gives
the word "America" a magic all its own. Just as important, right
here at home, the Republican Party today stands as the party of
ideas. Whether it's re-inventing our schools or turning tenants
into homeowners -- enlisting the ingenuity of the marketplace to
clean our air or provide new sources of energy -- on one issue
after another: Republicans have the answers America is searching
CMT.)
for.
We're here tonight to reaffirm the powerful ideals that
provide this Party its sense of direction and strength of
purpose. Let's wage our Republican revolution here in California
and across the country --- and let's start by sending Paul Seymour
back to the Senate. //
Once again, my thanks to you for this warm West Coast
welcome --- and may God bless the United States of America.
# # #
9/16/91 @ 3:30
/
to Kathy SuitLane think no one flying one AF / from Grand Can.
city
2 Senators, Gov. 2 cory. are on stage
Wallace Bennett) a personal friend
of POTUS is in in hospital and not
make events
CMoyT cawlog
/
good lemcer Me
head table POTUS, Sen. John study Seymons;
Gov. Pete of Gayle Wilson; the Hon. Geo. Deukme
jian (PX GOV); Bob Hope and Delores (not confinul),
Chuck Norris ; (gnest); Sywester Stallone Jennifer
Nat's anthemy, Scott Baio; Pamela anderson;
FLAVIN); Andy Debbie Williams (singing
Rev, Robert S. Donna Schuller;
not tv guy but
son of Dr. Schuller had main survy in amerstad but
net to Ca 9/16/91 w/ rest @ IRVINE Bill Jones
minority leader state assembly; Jim t Susan Dignan,
state pach chair; Kevin $ Cindy Costner; Loretta
young, escort Dame Donshue A.C. ! Martha
Lyles; gohny Grant M.C. a fund of POTUS
last time blown off
Charleton Heston will not be there - Don ? Melanie are
maybe's
JOHN SEYMOUR
U. S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:108
SENATE APPROVES SEYMOUR MEASURE TO TOUGHEN
FEDERAL PROHIBITIONS ON DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
CRIME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
June 27, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON Federal laws covering drug-related tools and
supplies were toughened today when the Senate approved an
amendment authored by California Senator John Seymour to extend
prohibitions on the sale and distribution of scales, growing devices
and other drug paraphernalia.
Seymour's amendment, approved by a voice vote and supported
by the Justice Department, brings federal law on drug paraphernalia
in line with California law -- the toughest and most extensive in the
nation.
"The war on drug trafficking and drug use requires a
comprehensive effort, involving every arm of law enforcement,"
Seymour said. "It's not simply cracking down on the producers and
users -- it's going after others who facilitate, promote and profit
from this heinous trade."
Seymour's amendment expands federal law to cover kits
intended to be used for planting, growing, or harvesting illegal
drugs; scales and balances intended to be used to weigh, measure
illegal drugs, and; containers and other objects that can be used to
store or ingest illegal drugs.
"At present, there are more than 285 illegal drug labs in
California alone, using the paraphernalia that my amendment
targets," Seymour explained. "Those who sell, offer, or import these
tools of destruction in California and other states will feel the full
force of federal law enforcement."
- MORE -
- 2 -
Specifically, Seymour's amendment extends federal
probibitions to:
*
Kits designed for planting, propagating, or harvesting controlled
substances.
*
Kits designed to compound, produce, process, or prepare controlled
substances.
*
Scales and balances designed for use in weighing or measuring
controlled substances.
*
Testing equipment designed to analyze the strength, effectiveness,
or purity of controlled substances.
*
Devices designed for increasing the potency of plant species
classified as controlled substances.
*
Containers designed for storing or concealing controlled
substances.
*
Objects designed to ingest or inhale marijuana, cocaine, rock
cocaine, hashish, hashish oil, PCP, or anphetamines.
#
#
#
#
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:109
SEYMOUR AMENDMENT EXPANDING MANDATORY SENTENCES
FOR ARMED CAREER CRIMINALS APPROVED BY SENATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
June 27, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON California Senator John Seymour gained
Senate approval Thursday of an amendment that closes a loophole in
federal law that has allowed hundreds of armed career criminals to
evade tough mandatory prison terms.
Seymour's amendment, approved by voice vote as part of
comprehensive crime legislation, will allow state drug offenses to
be considered at the same level as similar federal drug offenses in
order to trigger a federal mandatory minimum 15-year prison
sentence.
"In short, this amendment will ensure that the armed career
criminal becomes the unarmed career prisoner," Seymour told the
Senate.
Under current law, if a person has three previous state or
federal convictions for a violent felony or a serious drug offense, a
15-year minimum sentence can be levied. A "serious drug offense"
is defined as either an offense that carries a 10-year maximum term
under federal law, OR an offense under state law that carries a 10-
year maximum.
However, since many of California's drug trafficking and drug
possession laws carry less than a 10-year maximum term, many
criminals in California have been able to evade the 15-year minimum
federal sentence.
- MORE -
- 2 -
One such California case cited by Seymour is Alfred Ethridge,
who held two prior federal felony convictions prior to being picked
up in Southern California on a federal firearms violation. Ethridge
was also found to have been convicted five times in violation of
California drug offenses. Each of these state offenses would have
carried at least 10-year maximum terms if tried under federal law.
But since California law carried a maximum penalty of five
years for state drug offenses, Ethridge was able to evade the
mandatory federal sentence.
"I have been told by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles
that there are hundreds of similar cases hundreds of Alfred
Ethridges who can avoid the full force of federal law," Seymour
said.
"It's plain and simple: if you violate a federal firearms law
and we find that you are found to have three serious violent felonies
or drug convictions, federal or state, you do at least fifteen years,"
Seymour said.
#
#
#
#
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR
CALIFORNIA
PR 91:110
SENATE BACKS SEYMOUR MEASURE FOR FEDERAL STUDY
ON BATTERED WOMEN'S SYNDROME AS LEGAL DEFENSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
June 27, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON -- The Senate approved an amendment
Thursday authored by California Senator John Seymour calling for a
federal study on "battered women's syndrome," and its impact in
criminal proceedings.
By voice vote, the Senate approved Seymour's amendment as
part of comprehensive crime legislation currently under
consideration. Seymour's amendment calls for the Justice
Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and
Human Services, to issue the study within one year of the crime bill's
enactment.
The admissibility of "battered women's syndrome" as a
defense, or as evidence in a defense, is being debated in a number of
states, including California. However, no comprehensive analysis of
this issue has been compiled so far to assist federal and local judges,
and attorneys.
Seymour said that given the growing number of cases where
women have taken violent action in response to constant physical
abuse by their spouses, both Congress and the courts need a
thorough psychological and legal analysis of the issue. According to
the National Domestic Hotline for battered women, 4,000 to 6,000
abused women call for help each month.
"The depravity of the abuse to which they are subjected turns
my stomach," Seymour said. "Some of these women have taken the
law into their own hands to bring a halt to their torture. Frankly, Mr.
President, I sympathize with them."
- MORE -
-2-
"If there is something that can be done to help these women,"
Seymour urged, "it must be done."
Seymour told the Senate that the legal problem in these cases
lies in the inconsistency of court rulings around the country. In a
1989 California case, a jury acquitted a woman of murdering her
abusive husband on the basis of "battered women's syndrome";
however, in a recent North Carolina case, that state's supreme court
refused to allow such a defense in a criminal trial.
"This inconsistency can be simply attributed to a lack of
understanding of the complexities of 'battered women's syndrome',"
Seymour noted. "This study will not only be an informative tool for
Congress; it will be a tool for judges and attorneys everywhere."
Seymour's amendment requires the study to include:
*
Medical and Psychological testimony on "battered women's
syndrome."
*
A compilation of state and federal court cases where the issue
has been accepted as evidence or as a defense in a criminal
trial.
*
An assessment by judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys
on the effect that this defense will have in criminal trials.
####
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:111
SENATE-APPROVED SEYMOUR AMENDMENT SETS MANDATORY
PRISON TIME FOR USE OE MINORS IN COMMITTING CRIMES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
June 27, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON -- Criminals who use children and teenagers to
help them commit federal crimes will face new mandatory prison
sentences under an amendment authored by California Senator John
Seymour and adopted today by the Senate.
Under Seymour's amendment, which was approved by voice
vote as part of comprehensive crime legislation, anyone who induces
or coerces a minor to commit a federal crime will face a mandatory
federal sentence of at least three years in prison in addition to any
other sentences imposed.
"If you use a kid, you go to jail," Seymour told the Senate.
"Those who recruit these kids, induce them, and coerce them, must
be held accountable. They must pay and pay dearly," Seymour said.
Under current law, criminal penalties are assessed only when a
minor is used to engage in drug trafficking. But there are numerous
other examples of crimes -- such as gun trafficking and gang-related
activity outside of drug trafficking -- where minors are used and
exploited for criminal purposes.
Seymour's penalty can be imposed regardless of whether the
minor performs the criminal act.
Seymour's amendment mirrors the legislation he authored in
the California State Senate in 1987, which took steps to eliminate the
incentive to use minors for criminal gain.
- MORE -
- 2 -
"A minor who is being forced to commit a crime and fears for
his safety, his life, or the life of his family can come forward and
know that the law will be on his side," Seymour said.
"Drugs are about ruthless gangs, guns, drive by shootings and
other forms of naked violence," Seymour noted. "These kids are
already being recruited as foot soldiers by adults with more
expansive organized crime activities."
# # # #
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR
CALIFORNIA
PR 91:119
SENATE APPROVES SEYMOUR AMENDMENT TO CRIME BILL TO
SPEED DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ALIEN CRIMINALS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
July 10, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON -- The Senate tonight approved a measure authored by
California Senator John Seymour that he says can ease the growing burden that
illegal alien criminals are placing on federal, state, and local law enforcement.
"State prisons and local jails are overflowing with alien felons, their very crimes
making them deportable," Seymour said. "Deporting them, once they've done their
time in prison is the federal government's responsibility."
The Senate approved Seymour's amendment by unanimous consent as part of
comprehensive anti-crime legislation. The amendment stipulates that persons
convicted of using an illegal alien to commit an aggravated felony will be fined up to
$100,000, in addition to existing penalties for committing the actual crime.
The proceeds from these fines will be deposited in a new "Criminal Alien
Identification and Removal Fund" in the Department of Justice, which the Attorney
General can use to assist the Immigration and Naturalization Service in identifying
and deporting alien felons. The funds can also be used by the Attorney General to set
up 20 new immigration judge positions called for in immigration reform legislation
passed by Congress in 1990.
Seymour said in a statement that the amendment parallels a measure he
introduced in the California State Senate last year, which called for a statewide alien
identification system. The system is modeled after a successful illegal felon program
developed by Orange County Superior Court Judge David O. Carter.
- MORE -
- 2 -
In 1989, under Carter's program, 834 of 2,366 defendants - -- 35 percent -- were
screened by INS and found to be illegal aliens.
Seymour's amendment also makes funding available to states to set up
systems similar to the Orange County program to identify felons who are illegal
aliens.
Seymour reminded his colleagues that under last year's immigration bill,
Congress made a commitment to deporting illegal alien criminals as soon as they
are released from prison.
"We must not retreat from this goal," Seymour said. "The very first step that
a criminal alien takes out of prison must be into a waiting vehicle, its destination
beyond the borders of the United States."
# # # #
11 September 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR DAN MCGROARTY
FROM:
JEANNIE BUNTON
SUBJECT:
MORE SEYMOUR (SEYMOUR FUNDRAISER)
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m.
Celebs expected:
Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Charleton
Heston (Guns 'n Moses), John Travolta, Chuck
Norris, Loretta Young, Tony Danza, Kevin
Cosner
Dinner held in Los Angeles Ballroom at Century Plaza Hotel
(across from FOX Broadcasting Headquarters), near the Reagan
office building where the roof explosion scene was shot for DIE
HARD movie. Century Plaza is on Avenue of Stars in heart of
Century City - the center of live audience theatres. The 20th
Century lot apparently is 2-3 blocks from 20th Century Fox
Studios.
POTUS to meet celebs before dinner in the Bel Air Room ("green
room"), there will be a large "head table".
Seymour is:
pro-choice,
anti-crime,
anti-drugs,
against off-shore drilling,
co-sponsor of America 2000, (believes the family
is the proper place to decide where to send
kids to school,
voted for drilling in ANWAR,
WHAT SEYMOUR'S STAFF WOULD LIKE TO SEE:
0
"Quality of the man" -- traditional California story, came
to California out of Marines, put self through UCLA, started
own biz (entrepreneur) real-estate mortgage CO. (John
Seymour & Associates) ; through biz became active in
government, in 78 elected mayor of Anaheim (where he did
biz.), elected to state senate in 82, been in public service
since, now U.S. Senator, only 8 months on job been very
effective on Crime Bill, negotiated 5 significant amendments
to Crime Bil. Staff at Senate Judiciary told Seymour staff
that of all senators who are not memers of the judiciary,
Seymour got the most amendments passed. Sworn in Jan 10, 91
and 48 hours later on Senate floor voted with POTUS on
Persian Gulf.
ELECTION:
Under California law Seymour must run Nov. 5, 1992 and if
elected, then again in 94 - when Wilson's term expires.
CALIFORNIA ED. STATS:
LA County drop-out rate is 27.9% as of 1990 (loss of
students who start in the 10th grade and leave in three
years, loss of an entire class - not just one year).
State of California graduation rates:
65.9 %; loss of 34.1% by attrition, ranking California 42nd
in the nation. National average graduation rate: 71.1%,
28.9% attrition.
SATS:
1991 v:415; m: 482 [47% graduates taking SAT]
1990 v:419; m: 484
1981 v:426; m:475
'91-09-03 12:17 DOUG GAMBLE
P.1
DOUG GAMBLE
424- 36th Place
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
SEPT. 3/91
(213) 546-6409
TO: CHRISTINA MARTIN
MORE EAGLES (Curt Smith)
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WHEN IT'S EASIER TO GET FOREIGN FORCES OUT OF KUWAIT
THAN IT IS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO GET DOMESTIC PROGRAMS THROUGH CONGRESS.
I'M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT IF ANYONE WANTS TO HIDE SOMETHING so IT WILL
NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN, THEY SHOULD DISGUISE IT AS REPUBLICAN DOMESTIC POLICY
AND SEND IT TO CONGRESS.
YOU'VE HEARD OUR CRITICS SAY WE DON'T HAVE A DOMESTIC POLICY. WHAT THEY REALLY
MEAN IS -- WE DON'T HAVE A POLICY AIMED AT THEIR SPECIAL INTERESTS, ONLY AT
NATIONAL INTERESTS.
THERE ARE SOME IN CONGRESS WHO NEED TO KNOW THAT THE SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND
BALANCES DOES NOT MEAN MAINTAINING THE BALANCE OF POWER BY WRITING OUT CHECKS
TO SPECIAL INTERESTS.
'91-09-10 19:16 DOUG GAMBLE
P.1
DOUG GAMBLE
424-36th Place
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Sept. 11/91
(213) 546-6409
TO: CHRISTINA MARTIN
HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - - CHICAGO (Joe Duggan)
WE WERE A LITTLE DELAYED FLYING IN. MICHAEL JORDAN WAS OUT AT THE AIRPORT
PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.
WHEN SOMEONE TELLS ME I'M GOING TO THE "WINDY CITY," I'M NEVER SURE IF IT MEANS
CHICAGO OR A VISIT TO CAPITOL HILL.
SORRY I WASN'T ABLE TO JOIN YOU FOR LUNCH, BUT I'M ON A NEW DIET. 1 ONLY EAT
LUNCH ON DAYS WHEN THE DEMOCRATS PRAISE MY DOMESTIC POLICY.
SORRY I MISSED THE REMARKS BY TWO OF OUR OUTSTANDING CABINET SECRETARIES. I JUST
WISH THAT JACK KEMP COULD WORK UP A LITTLE MORE ENTHUSTASM FOR HIS BELIEFS.
I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS SOME HOPE THAT YOU'D HEAR FROM AMERICA'S NOW-FAMOUS FIELD
GENERAL, THE BRILLIANT STRATEGIST WHO HAS LED SOME OF OUR FINE FIGHTING MEN TO
GLORY. BUT I GUESS MIKE DITKA IS BUSY PREPARING FOR MONDAY'S JETS GAME.
(Bears play Jets Sept. 23)
Joe: Look forward to working with you.
Doug
'91-09-10 19:16 DOUG GAMBLE
P.2
DOUG GAMBLE
9/11/91
424 - 36th Place
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(213) 546-6409
To:
ALL WRITERS
I'M GOING TO BE OUT OF TOWN FROM SEPT. 18-23.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU CAN ANTICIPATE NEEDING FROM ME
DURING THAT TIME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE so
1 CAN GET IT IN TO YOU BEFORE I GO.
THANKS.
Doug
'91-09-11 15:09 DOUG GAMBLE
P.1
DOUG GAMBLE
424-36th . Place
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Sept. 11/91
(213) 546-6409
TO: CHRISTINA MARTIN
2 Pages
SEYMOUR DINNER - L.A. (Dan McGroarty)
IT WAS A LITTLE EASIER GETTING HERE THAN I THOUGHT. I WANT TO THANK CHARLTON
HESTON FOR PUTTING ON HIS "MOSES" ATTIRE AND PARTING THE WESTEND TRAFFIC.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE DON JOHNSON & MELANIE GRIFFITH AGAIN, AFTER THEIR RECENT VISIT
TO THE WHITE HOUSE. MAYBE I HAVE A CERTAIN AFFINITY FOR THEM BECAUSE BARBARA
REFERS TO SHE AND I AS THE MELANIE GRIFFITH & DON JOHNSON OF THE GERITOL SET,
JOHN TRAVOLTA IS GOING TO BE A NEW FATHER SOON. I HEAR THE SEQUEL TO HIS MOVIE
"SATURDAY a NIGHT FEVER" IS GOING TO BE CALLED "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FEEDING."
Days
Tony Kevin Costner.
WAS GOING TO VISIT PRESIDENT REAGAN NEXT DOOR AT FOX PLAZA EARLIER, BUT I CHANGED
MY MIND WHEN I NOTICED BRUCE WILLIS SHIMMYING DOWN THE BUILDING WITH A GRENADE
Bob Hope.
IN HIS TEETH. (Reagan's bldg. First "Die Hard" filmed there.)
SOMEONE ASKED ME EARLIER IF I'D MADE A DECISION ON GIVING MASSIVE AID TO HELP
THOSE STRUGGLING PEOPLE WHO HAVE CAPTURED OUR IMAGINATIONS MAKE IT THROUGH THE
WINTER. SORRY, BUT I'M AFRAID HOLLYWOOD'S MOVIE INDUSTRY IS ON ITS OWN FOR AWHILE.
(Movie profits are way down, Hollywood is crying the blues.)
MORE
'91-09-11 15:09 DOUG GAMBLE
- 2 -
DOUG GAMBLE
TO: CHRISTIMA MARTIN - L.A. FUNDRAISER (CONT'D)
THE NEXT TIME E.T. PHONES HOME, HE MAY HAVE TO DO IT COLLECT.
THINK OF THE DRAMATIC EVENTS WE'VE WITNESSED LATELY. IRAQ DRIVEN FROM KUWAIT,
COMMUNISM COLLAPSING. THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE ONLY
WAR LEFT WOULD BE THE DODGERS VS. THE BRAVES.
JOHNSEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:48
SEYMOUR INTRODUCES 1991 DROUGHT RELIEF ACT
TO HELP CALIFORNIA FACE CURRENT WATER SHORTAGE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
March 20, 1991
Martha Willey
Laura Rogers
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON -- Saying that "the federal government should
cooperate, not dictate, in dealing with California's drought,"
California Senator John Seymour today introduced a 12-point plan to
help the federal government join forces with the state to combat its
fifth year of drought.
"We need flexibility from a federal government that is willing
to work with us and assist the state -- not preempt it -- to deal
with this crisis," Seymour said in announcing details of his Drought
Relief Act. "And that's the whole concept behind this bill: To have
the federal government work as a partner with the state to cut
through red tape and help move water quickly to where it's needed,"
Seymour said.
Seymour introduced the bill after extensive review and
consultation with a wide range of water experts in California and in
Washington, and after holding a series of six meetings with water
officials throughout California over the weekend. At those meetings
-- held in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, Goleta, Concord, and
Monterey -- Seymour said "the consensus was that this approach is
the best way for the federal government to help California deal with
this year's crisis."
- MORE -
- 2 -
Seymour said he also plans to introduce legislation that will
focus on long-term ways to deal with the drought, including
desalinization and water conservation measures. But the immediate
crisis, he said, means that legislative efforts in Washington should
first be focused on providing relief for this year.
"We've been fortunate in recent weeks to have some much-
needed rainfall, but anyone who thinks those rains are going to solve
our problems this year is whistling past the graveyard," Seymour
said. "I'll be working hard to see that we get swift consideration of
this bill in the Senate."
While Seymour said that his clear motivation is to help
California weather this year's drought, he has written the bill so
that other Western states that suffer from drought can also get
cooperative assistance at the federal level.
"It's clear to me that other Western states could very well find
themselves in the same kind of predicament that California now
faces," Seymour said. "That's why this bill is, in effect, a west-
wide blueprint for the federal government to deal with drought
conditions."
Attached is a summary of the twelve points of Seymour's
Drought Relief Act.
#
#
#
#
SEYMOUR DROUGHT RELIEF ACT OF 1991
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: In response to California facing its
fifth year of drought conditions, Senator Seymour has developed the
Drought Relief Act of 1991 -- a package of "no strings attached"
measures that cuts through red tape and gives the federal
government -- in coordination with state and local officials --
authority to move water quickly to where it's needed.
In some cases, it means giving new authority to the Interior
Secretary; in others, it means changing federal laws now on the
books that prevent water from being moved in a timely manner. But
the overall goal is the same -- take action now to deal with the
current crisis.
Following are the principal provisions of Seymour's Drought Relief
Act:
ISSUE: Federal authority to implement emergency drought relief
measures
Problem: Right now, the Secretary of the Interior doesn't have
permanent authority to take timely Federal drought relief actions.
In the past, Congress has enacted drought relief bills on an "as
needed" basis, and they have had limited effectiveness in mitigating
the effects of drought.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act grants the
Secretary of the Interior emergency authority for two years to
implement all provisions contained in this act. After that two-year
period, the Secretary is required to have in place Drought
Contingency Plans to extend the authority of these provisions. These
plans, to be developed in cooperation with state governments, will
describe the measures to be taken by federal, state, and local
agencies to manage water supplies for specific areas during times
of drought. The act specifies that all water management drought
relief measures undertaken by the Interior Secretary must be
consistent with state law.
- 2 -
ISSUE: Cooperative administration of water supplies during times
of drought
Problem: Right now, the Interior Secretary has no authority to
"pool" Federal project water supplies with other supplies within a
state, and has no guidelines for the joint Federal/State
administration of such supplies.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act grants
authority to the Interior Secretary -- in cooperation with state
agencies to establish "water banks," where federal project water
and other supplies in a state can be bought and sold by Federal,
State, and local agencies consistent with State law.
Federal project water supplies could be used for different purposes
during drought periods than during non-drought periods, and could be
used outside the usual Federal project service areas. The bill also
directs the Interior Secretary to cooperate with states in
undertaking water conservation and management measures that will
mitigate impacts of drought and authorizes Federal appropriations
for such activities.
*
*
*
*
ISSUE: Use of Federal reclamation project facilities
Problem: Currently, Federal law allows for the use of Federal
facilities to store and deliver non-Federal project water supplies
for agricultural purposes only.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act changes
Federal law to allow the use of Federal facilities during drought
periods to store and deliver non-Federal project water supplies for
non-agricultural purposes -- municipal, industrial, recreational, and
fish and wildlife uses.
- 3 -
ISSUE: Purchase of water
Problem: Currently, the Interior Secretary is not authorized to
purchase water.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act allows the
Secretary to purchase or facilitate the purchase of water from any
source, on a willing-buyer/willing-seller basis. Sellers, including
Indian tribes, would be required to reduce their water consumption
by the amount of water sold. To stimulate the sale of water in
order to move it to more critical uses during droughts, no pricing
limitations are proposed. Water purchased by the Secretary, if
resold, must be sold at a price sufficient to recover the purchase
price and the Federal expenses of delivering the water.
*
*
*
*
ISSUE: Recovery of Federal project costs
Problem: What Federal costs should be recovered and on what
basis?
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act provides
that fees for temporary Federal project water supplies, or for
temporary use of Federal project facilities to store and deliver non-
project water supplies, will be set at levels to cover the
appropriate portion of operation, maintenance, and capital
investment costs associated with the temporary supply of water or
use of facilities as may be determined by the Secretary.
- 4 -
ISSUE: Applicability of acreage limitation provisions of Federal
law
Problem: Federal law subjects all those entering into contracts
with the Interior Secretary for new or additional Federal benefits to
the acreage limitation and full cost pricing provisions of Federal
law.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act provides
that all contracts with the Secretary under the provisions of this
Act shall not be considered a "contract" as defined in the 1982
Reclamation Reform Act, and will not subject a contractor to the
acreage limitation provisions of existing reclamation law.
*
*
*
*
ISSUE: Deferral of payments
Problem: There are current pressures from some to stipulate
changes in the way deferments are granted and repaid.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act directs the
Interior Secretary to provide deferments of payments on
installments or charges -- including interest and operation-and-
maintenance costs -- as the Secretary deems necessary because of
financial hardships caused by drought. Repayment of those deferred
amounts will start in the year after drought conditions end.
Non-agricultural deferments will be subject to current interest
rates, and will be required to be repaid within ten years.
Agricultural deferments will be recovered without interest within a
period commensurate with ability-to-pay as determined by the
Secretary.
- 5 -
ISSUE: Availability of Federal funds for non-Federal entities
Problem: Present Secretarial loan authorities are limited in scope
and can only be obtained through a long and difficult application
process.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act authorizes
loans for purchase of interim supplies of water, and for structural
(temporary storage and delivery systems, dikes, levees) and non-
structural activities (changing to more water-efficient irrigation
systems) to mitigate the effects of drought. Such loans will be
made available on such terms as the Secretary deems appropriate.
Such loans, which will be repaid consistent with Federal law and
policy, are not limited as to whom may apply.
*
*
*
*
ISSUE: Reclamation drought response fund
Problem: Authority for such a fund does not now exist.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act gives the
Interior Secretary the authority to establish a "Reclamation Drought
Response Fund," which would be maintained at a minimum level of
$10 million. The fund will be available to finance drought relief
activities authorized by this act.
- 6 -
ISSUE: Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and
the Federal Paperwork Reduction Act
Problem: Compliance with these two acts may tie up the ability
take immediate and meaningful action this year.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act bill makes
drought relief activities exempt from these two measures for 1991
only. However, the Secretary will be required to take into
consideration any adverse effects proposed actions will have on
existing lawful uses of water and on fish and wildlife resources and
other in-stream beneficial uses.
*
*
*
*
ISSUE: Adequate and timely Federal funding
Problem: Recent fiscal problems have made it difficult to obtain
Federal funding for special programs.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act provides
authority for the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of the bill. Support from Congressmen and
Senators from affected states will be required to assure the
appropriation of sufficient funds to accomplish the goals and
purposes of the bill.
- 7 -
ISSUE: Salt water intrusion in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Problem: Salt water intrusion into fresh water regions of the
Delta -- a consequence of the drought -- will result in substantial
detrimental impacts on the fishery resources of the area.
SEYMOUR RESPONSE: The Seymour Drought Relief Act authorizes
the Interior Secretary to cooperate with the State of California in
the construction of temporary barriers and take other cooperative
actions with the state as needed to prevent salt-water intrusion in
the Delta, or to improve water levels and circulation in the Delta.
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:125
SEYMOUR SAYS UP TO $15 MILLION IN MILITARY FOOD
HEADED FOR CENTRAL VALLEY TO AID FREEZE VICTIMS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
July 12, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
SAN JOSE `-- Over $15 million in surplus military food will be
shipped to California's Central Valley as soon as next week to
provide meals for farmworkers displaced by this past winter's
Arctic freeze, California Senator John Seymour announced today.
Seymour, who has pressed federal agencies to release the
surplus Defense Department commodities, was informed by officials
from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that the food
will be released from the Sharpe Army Depot in Tracy.
Seymour said that over 5.2 million meat or pasta entrees will
be shipped, as well as nearly 7.7 million soups and over 6.6 million
portions of mixed fruit and dessert. Federal officials told Seymour
that the food, will be loaded onto 12,000 pallets and shipped in up to
500 truckloads for distribution.
"This is the right and humanitarian thing to do," Seymour said.
"I'm pleased that FEMA and other federal agencies have released this
food, which will help these farm workers and their families weather
this crisis."
"At a time when the United States is providing aid to so many
overseas, we cannot forget people in our own country who are in
need through no fault of their own," Seymour said. "To many farm
workers and their families, the devastation and suffering caused by
the freeze is just as much a disaster as an earthquake or a tornado."
- MORE -
. 2 -
For the past several months, Seymour has urged the Defense
Department and other federal agencies to provide farmworkers and
their families with surplus military food, originally purchased in
large quantities in anticipation of a prolonged war in the Persian
Gulf.
In April, Seymour asked Defense Secretary Dick Cheney to
make available surplus military rations - called MOREs and similar
to complete TV dinners -- to food distribution centers. "Many
communities are in dire need of food assistance, and current food
supplies are proving insufficient to meet this growing need,"
Seymour told Cheney in an April 12 letter.
And last month, Seymour called on the head of the General
Services Administration (GSA), who oversees the disposal of all
surplus government property, to allow the release of surplus
military food. "I can think of few uses for this surplus food that
command a greater urgency than these freeze-stricken communities
where literally tens of thousands have been forced into
unemployment," Seymour said in a June 11 letter to GSA
Administrator Richard Austin.
According to Foodlink, a non-profit distribution center for 42
emergency foodbanks, about 56,000 families in Fresno, Tulare, and
Kern Counties are relying on food banks and donations for food.
Entrees being shipped include beef, chicken, spaghetti, and
chili. Soups include beef noodle, chicken noodle, vegetable, and
vegetable beef.
#
#
#
#
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR
CALIFORNIA
SUMMARY OF SENATOR SEYMOUR'S EFFORTS
TO AID FREEZE VICTIMS
33 counties in California -- with contiguous counties in Arizona and Nevada
-- experienced an Arctic freeze beginning December 19 and continuing through
December 31.
The following is a list and brief explanation of Senator Seymour's efforts to
assist farmers, farmworkers, farm families, and farm communities in the face of the
freeze.
JANUARY
23rd "Seymour calls on President to declare disaster in 31 California counties."
26th "Seymour tours crop damage from freeze on weekend trip"
Seymour takes ground tour of crop damage in the Fresno area
on first trip home.
31st
"Seymour gets commitment that immigrants won't be threatened by
receiving crop, freeze aid."
Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
assures Seymour that recently legalized aliens will not -- as had
been feared -- be blocked from receiving food assistance to cope
with a loss of income caused by California's crop freeze.
31st "Seymour meets with Secretary-Designate Madigan and invites him to make
California his first western stop if confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture."
- MORE -
- 2 -
FEBRUARY
1st
"Secretary Madigan accepts Seymour's invitation to make California first
western stop if confirmed as Agriculture Secretary."
11th "President Bush declares "Federal Disaster" for 31 California counties."
President authorizes $15 million in Disaster Unemployment
Assistance
15th "Seymour says disaster relief benefits will include individual assistance under
the Small Business Administration and Farmers Home Administration
disaster loan programs to aid businesses in agricultural communities."
SBA announced it would activate its Economic Injury Disaster
Loan Assistance Program - providing both agri-dependent small
businesses as well as non-agricultural small businesses with
freeze relief.
Additional benefits were announced from the Farmers
Home Administration.
MARCH
27th "Seymour asks President to provide further aid to help farmers cope with
crop damage from Arctic Freeze."
Seymour asked the President to declare "dire emergency"
disaster relief for agricultural producers in California and
contiguous counties. Authorization would set in motion a
program authorized by the 1990 Farm Bill to provide direct
assistance to farmers suffering losses resulting from natural
disasters.
28th "Seymour sets Tuesday Tour for new U.S.D.A. Secretary Madigan to get first-
hand look at drought and freeze damage."
- MORE
- 3 -
APRIL
6th Tour of Central Valley with Secretary Madigan
Seymour and Madigan take a day-long tour throughout the state
for a first hand look at crop and economic losses caused by the
freeze.
10th "Seymour asks U.S.D.A. Secretary to free up more food aid to help Central
Valley Families reeling from freeze."
Seymour lobbies Madigan for an allocation of resources from the
U.S.D.A.'s Women Infants, and Children (WIC) program for
eligible participants in Tulare, Kern, Fresno, and Madera
counties; to provide monthly food supplements to low-income
and pregnant mothers, and to infants and children under age 5
who are at special risk because of inadequate nutrition or health
care.
11th "Seymour asks Defense and Labor Departments to join in aiding recovery
efforts for arctic freeze."
In a letter to Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, Seymour asked that
surplus military rations called "MORES" be released to feed
freeze victims in California.
In a letter to Labor Secretary Lynn Martin, Seymour requested $8
million in emergency funds under the Job Training Partnership
Act (JTPA) to provide short-term employment for 2,000
displaced agricultural workers.
11th "Seymour pleased with quick USDA response to speed food to aid Central
Valley counties hit by freeze."
Seymour secures release of up to $2 million in emergency food
assistance for Central Valley families suffering from the effects of
the freeze.
- MORE-
- 4 -
17th "Seymour says Feds will provide further freeze aid to help communities cope
with economic devastation."
Senator Seymour announces more help for freeze victims in the
form of mortgage or rental payments to individuals and families
who, as a result of financial hardship caused by the disaster, had
received written notification of dispossession or eviction from a
residence by reason on a foreclosure of any mortgage or lien
NOTE: Over 2,700 families in Tulare County alone faced rent
foreclosure and 140 faced mortgage foreclosure.
MAY
10th "Seymour says Feds to loosen loan regulations to help move more aid to
disaster- stricken families."
Working with fellow senators, Seymour secures commitment
from U.S.D.A. and the Office of Management and Budget to
remove regulatory barriers making it easier for eligible farmers
to apply for emergency disaster loans from the Farmers Home
Administration (FmHA).
JUNE
11th "Seymour asks federal property chief to help free up surplus Pentagon food to
aid freeze victims."
Seymour lobbied the Administrator of the General Services
Administration (GSA) -- Richard Austin -- asking help to
speed surplus federal food to California communities that are
relying on food banks and donations to help unemployed
farmworkers feed their families.
7th "Seymour says $4 million in job training funds are headed to California to aid
workers displaced by the freeze."
Seymour gets word from Labor Secretary Lynn Martin that
critically needed funds are being provided under the Labor
Department's Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
- MORE-
- 5 -
Funds will provide short-term public sector employment and
job retraining.
JULY
9th
"Seymour introduces legislation providing direct disaster aid to help farm
communities recover from freeze damage."
Seymour signs on as principal co-sponsor of legislation that
provide disaster assistance -- in the form of direct payments -- to
eligible producers of all 1990 and 1991 crops who were prevented
from planting or experienced reduced crop yields because of
damaging weather conditions."
The bill authorizes the use of funds held by the Commodity
Credit Corporation for disaster assistance if the President has
designated that a "dire emergency" exists.
12th "Seymour says up to $15 million in military food headed for Central Valley to
aid freeze victims."
Seymour, who has pressed federal agencies to release the surplus
Defense Department commodities, secures release of D.O.D. food
from the Sharpe Army Depot in Tracy, California to be released
to farmworker families.
17th "Seymour says surplus military food to start moving this Saturday to aid
freeze victims."
Seymour will be on hand as the first food shipments begin
arriving by truck at approximately 9:30 a.m. at Golden State
Packers from the Sharpe Army Depot in Tracy.
A fleet of trucks will haul the 12,000 pallets of food to
distribution points. Up to 500 truckloads of food will be shipped
from the depot.
- MORE-
- 6 -
5.2 million meat and pasta entrees
7.7 million soups
6.6 million portions of mixed fruit and desserts.
According to Foodlink, a non-profit distribution center for 42
emergency foodbanks, about 56,000 families in Fresno, Tulare,
and Kern counties have been forced to rely on foodbanks and
donations.
######
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:87
SEYMOUR GAINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF BAN ON
OCS DRILLING OFF CENTRAL COAST UNTIL 21ST CENTURY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
May 23, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON -- A key Senate committee today approved a
measure by California Senator John Seymour that he says is "the last
piece of the puzzle in protecting California's coastline into the 21st
Century."
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved
an amendment by Seymour that prohibits the federal government
from any oil and gas leasing activity on 87 tracts located off Santa
Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties until the year 2000.
Seymour's amendment also guarantees a ban on any new Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing activity through the year 2000 by
codifying the current OCS moratorium for the remainder of
California's coast.
Seymour's amendment was approved in committee by a 15 to 3
vote as part of legislation to implement a National Energy Strategy.
Six committee Republicans joined with Seymour in support of the
OCS prohibitions, along with eight committee Democrats.
"First and foremost, this amendment is the last piece of the
puzzle in protecting California's coastline into the 21st Century,"
said Seymour, a member of the committee. "Those 87 tracts could
have been opened to exploration as early as 1996. But under this
amendment, they are taken off the table until the year 2000."
-- more --
"Second, this amendment casts in concrete the deferral of any
new OCS activity off of California's coast for the rest of the
century," Seymour said. "It means that by law, California's coastline
is off limits until the year 2000 to any new leasing."
Seymour's amendment states that "the Secretary of the
Interior shall not prepare for or conduct any pre-leasing or leasing
activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect
to the area seaward from the State of California until after January
1, 2000."
In 1990, the Bush Administration deferred leasing on all but
87 tracts off California's coastline until the year 2000. A 1990
congressional leasing moratorium, which expires on October 1st,
included those areas blocked by deferral as well as areas off the
mid-Atlantic and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Under the Interior Department's five-year OCS plan, released
earlier this year, those 87 tracts could be offered for leasing in
1996.
When Energy Secretary James Watkins testified before the
Energy Committee in February on the National Energy Strategy,
Seymour told him that he would fight any attempts to open the
remaining tracts for exploration.
"My concern is that on these particular 87 tracts, it may be
that you are going to do some environmental assessments and
investigations, and that smells like drilling to me," Seymour told
Watkins. "I would just share with you up front that ... I'm going to do
all I can as a member of this committee and as a member of the
United States Senate to ensure that drilling does not take place on
those tracts."
The National Energy Strategy legislation now awaits action by
the full Senate.
#
#
#
#
JOHN SEYMOUR
U.S. SENATOR CALIFORNIA
PR 91:93
SEYMOUR BILL GIVES WILDERNESS PROTECTION TO NEARLY
400,000 ACRES IN LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: H.D. Palmer
June 5, 1991
Martha Willey
(202) 224-9652
WASHINGTON -- Saying that he has been able to bridge the
differences that blocked more wilderness from being established
along California's central coast, Senator John Seymour introduced
legislation today to provide greater protection to nearly 400,000
acres of land within the Los Padres National Forest.
Seymour's bill, which is being cosponsored by Senator Alan
Cranston, will designate 398,800 acres of forest land as wilderness.
Seymour noted that previous legislative attempts to protect
the Los Padres region could not be resolved in Congress.
"Today that has all changed," Seymour told the Senate. "I'm
pleased to agnounce that Senator Cranston and I have joined together
in offering legislation that will not only assure the protection of the
important natural assets found in the Los Padres National Forest,
but will also ensure that the public will continue to have access to
enjoy these wonders."
Seymour's introduction of the bill follows several meetings
and discussions with Cranston, and the offices of Congressmen Bob
Lagomarsino and Leon Panetta on how best protect the region and to
resolve differences that prevented passage of wilderness legislation
last year.
- MORE -
- 2 -
Specifically, Seymour's legislation creates seven new
wilderness areas within the national forest. The largest of the
seven -- the Sespe Wilderness -- would total 220,500 acres. This
area includes a major watershed, and is also important habitat for
two critical wildlife species -- the Bighorn Sheep and the
endangered California Condor.
Other wilderness areas established by Seymour's legislation
include:
*
The Matilija Wilderness, totaling 30,000 acres.
*
The San Rafael Wilderness, totaling 43,000 acres.
*
The Garcia Wilderness, totaling 14,600 acres.-
*
The Chumash Wilderness, totaling 38,200 acres
*
The Ventana Wilderness, totaling 38,000 acres
*
The Silver Peak Wilderness, totaling 14,500 acres.
In addition to the wilderness designations, Seymour's bill also
protects 150 miles of rivers in the Los Padres area under the Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act. Wild and Scenic designation is applied to 33
miles of the Sisquoc River, as well as 18.9 miles of the Big Sur
River.
Four rivers will be studied under Seymour's bill for possible
inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System -- 49 miles of Piru
Creek, 23 miles of the Little Sur River, 16 miles of Matilija Creek,
and 11 miles of Lopez Creek.
Wild and Scenic River designation prevents impoundments --
such as dams or hydroelectric projects from being constructed on
the river, and also provides protection for river banks.
Of the seven rivers slated for Wild and Scenic protection under
his bill, Seymour noted that differences still remain on how best to
protect Sespe Creek. While agreement exists that most of the Sespe
should be protected, Seymour said he has not been convinced that all
55 miles of the creek should be placed in Wild and Scenic status
- MORE -
- 3 -
"I've agreed to keep my mind open on this issue," Seymour said
of the Sespe. "In the same spirit of cooperation that has led to the
joint introduction of this bill, I'm certain that after hearings have
been held on the measure, a solution to the challenge of protecting
Sespe Creek can and will be found."
Seymour's bill now goes to the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee for consideration. Seymour is a member of the
committee. No date has yet been set for hearings on the bill.
#
#
#
#
Appointed Sen. Seymour
The revolving door
The Senate seat now occupied by appointee John Seymour has
had much more turnover than California's other seat, which
works at creating record
Democrat Alan Cranston will have held for 24 years by his retirement
at the end of 1992.
The so-called "jinxed" seat of Seymour's was held for a state
record of 28½ years by the legendary reformist Gov. Hiram Johnson,
By Martin Salditch
ing is a rare exception to his usual self-
a Republican, from 1917 until his death in office in August 1945.
The Press-Enterprise
discipline, staffers say.
Johnson was succeeded by William F. Knowland, publisher of the
WASHINGTON
"He's very well organized and methodi-
Oakland Tribune and Senate Republican leader during the
When Sen. John Seymour walked into
cal," said William Cranham, Seymour's
Eisenhower administration. Knowland gave up the seat after 13½
his Senate office the other day, he found a
chief of staff since he became a state
years to run for governor, a race he lost.
note attached by rubber band to a pack of
senator in 1982. "He goes home with a full
Those who held the seat after Knowland:
cigarettes on his desk.
briefcase, and gets on planes with bags of
Clair Engle, 1959 to July 1964, a Democrat who died in office
"Dad, don't do it," advised his 8-year-old
mail to read."
after a stroke.
son, Barrett, who is spending time at the
The 53-year-old former Realtor from
Pierre Salinger, from August through December 1964, appointed
office during summer vacation from
Anaheim has been on a fast-paced tread-
by then Gov. Edmund "Pat" Brown but lost the November election to
school.
mill since Gov. Wilson appointed him six
former movie star George Murphy.
"I expect my son will win that one,"
months ago to fill the vacancy created in
George Murphy, Republican, 1965 through 1970.
predicted Seymour, who has cut back from
the Senate by Wilson's election to the
John Tunney, Democrat and former Riverside congressman who
a pack to less than a half pack a day while
governorship last November.
defeated Murphy in 1970 and was himself defeated for re-election in
trying to kick the habit entirely. As it is, he
"He moves faster than anyone I've seen
1976.
only smokes in private.
on Capitol Hill," said Linda Schuler, Sey-
S. I. Hayakawa, Republican who defeated Tunney after gaining
And he has a non-smoking policy for
mour's executive assistant and former
fame for curbing anti-war demonstrators as president of San
everyone else in his office SO that he won't
press aide to Wilson when he was a
Francisco State University; he retired in 1982 after one term,
be encouraged by others to use cigarettes.
senator. "It's impossible to keep up with
attributing the decision to low ratings in polls.
For a man who limits himself to an apple
him. You turn around, and he's gone. Then
Pete Wilson, Republican former mayor of San Diego, served
for lunch to keep his We ight down and is
suddenly he's back."
from 1983 C to 1991, when he became governor
always making lists of things to do, smok-
Please see SEYMOUR, A-2
R
Continued from A-1
Seha JOHN Seymour
Nearly every weekend. Sey-
mour commutes to California in
order to raise his low name identi-
Address: Suite 367 Dirksen Senate Office
fication and the $15 million he
Building, Washington, D. C., 20510.
plans to spend for election to
Telephone: (202) 224-3841.
Senate seat in the primary and
Party: Republican
general elections next year.
Hometown: Anaheim
A recent poll found 78 percent of
Birth date: Dec. 3, 1937
those surveyed did not know
First appointed to Senate: 1991
enough about Seymour to have an
Education: B.A. UCLA 1962
opinion of him, including most
Career: U.S. Marine Corps 1955-59;
California Bank real estate loan
Republicans.
Meanwhile, he is trying to learn
department 1962; real estate and
the ropes as a freshman member
investment companies 1962-82; president, Anaheim Board of
of the nation's most powerful legis-
Realtors 1969; president, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce 1973;
lative chamber SO he can show
Anaheim City Council 1974-78; mayor of Anaheim 1978;
president, California Association of Realtors 1980: chairman,
voters a record of achievement in
California Senate Republican Caucus 1983-87; state Senator
two years, instead of the usual six-
1982-90
year term.
Religion/church affiliation: Protestant
Seymour also makes decisions
Family: Wife Judy, six children (three from prior marriage).
quickly, while Wilson was more
Senate Committees: Agriculture; Energy and Natural Resources;
cautious, Schuler said. "Once he
Governmental Affairs
has the information he needs, he
would just as soon make up his
mind and go on to the next issue,
rather than mull it over. He's SO
Seymour cites as among his
other senator from California,
conscious of time going by."
early achievements an amend-
Democral Alan Cranston.
Cranham agrees. "Ile has an
ment to an energy conservation bill
"That would be quite a coup,"
incredibly high energy level, going
which would prohibit new federal
said the freshman senator, since
from 8 a.m. until 8 or 9 p.m., when
oil and gas leases along the Califor-
Wilson was unable to get Cranston
we can no longer reach people at
nia const until 2000, including
to substantially reduce his 5-year-
their offices in California."
tracts off Santa Barbara and San
old proposal to expand park and
Occasionally, concedes Cran-
Luis Obispo, which President Bush
wilderness-designated areas by 8
ham, Seymour "gets a little tired
wants to lease after 1996.
million acres in Riverside, San
and cranky, but most of the time he
"That demonstrates my ability
Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo and
is attuned to what he is doing. Once
to convince colleagues of the posi-
Kern counties.
you finish one project. he always
tion I am carrying," said Seymour,
The Bush administration and
has a new mountain to climb."
a member of the Senate Energy
Republican House members from
Seymour ha little lawmaking
and Natural Resources Committee,
the region support the additional
accomplishment SO far, but that is
which drafted the energy bill. Its
protection of only 2 million acres,
to be expected for a Republican
fate is uncertain.
as did Wilson as senator and now as
newcomer in a Democratic-con-
However, environmentalist
governor.
trolled Senate and House of Repre-
groups are unhappy with Seymour
The Senate Energy and Natural
sentatives.
for voting for another provision in
Resources Committee is reluctant
Even Wilson, who benefited
the bill which would allow oil
to move such legislation until both
from a Republican-dominated Sen-
drilling in Alaska's Arctic National
senators from California approve
ate during the first four of his eight
Wildlife Refuge.
it, S0 there has been no action on
years there, never got a major
Seymour denies he traded sup-
Cranston's bill since he first intro-
landmark law of his own enacted.
port for drilling in the Alaskan
duced il in 1986.
lle did get amendments protecting
refuge area for a complete ban on
Following initial discussions,
California's interests into other
the Interior Department issuing
Seymour estimates the chances of
bills, and Seymour is trying to do
new California offshore drilling
a compromise agreement at 50-50,
the same.
leases for the rest of this decade.
with pressure on Cranston to settle
Seymour has introduced several
"I felt the environmental threat
the issue this session because he
drought relief bills but his only
from drilling in the arctic refuge
plans to retire at the end of 1992
hope is that portions of them might
was minimal, as compared to that
after 24 years in the Senate.
wind up in alternative Democratic-
from drilling off California," he
As a possible forerunner of
authored legislation.
explained. Besides, the Alaskan
agreement on the desert bill, Sey-
A hardliner on crime, Seymour
governor and Legislature want
mour and Cranston in early June
voted June 28 to require states to
more oil drilling, while our's
coauthored a compromise bill des-
establish a five-day waiting period
don't."
ignating 398,000 acres as wilder-
for handgun purchases and to
Seymour also got into the bill a
ness area in the Los Padres Nation-
develop computerized systems for
provision requiring state and local
al Forest in Santa Barbara County.
checking for criminal records of
governments in smoggy areas to
"I want to be known as the
firearms buyers. despite the oppo-
buy more clean-fueled cars, but it
senator for California, not from
sition of the National Rifle Associa-
would exempt state vehicles oper-
California," asserted Seymour dur-
tion.
ating in cities over 250,000 popula-
ing an interview. "In other words,
However, he did SO after voting
tion.
I'm for California first. Not like
just hours before for a defeated
Seymour also claims some cred-
some who come here with presi-
NRA-backed amendment which
il, along with area congressmen,
dential ambitions or grand
would have eliminated any buyer
for keeping the Alameda Naval Air
schemes of things."
waiting period before states had to
Station off the Pentagon's recom-
That could be a slap at Cranston,
establish instant computerized
mended list of bases that should be
77, an internationalist-minded law-
checking systems.
closed and getting U.S. Agriculture
maker who ran for the Democratic
In Sacramento. Seymour also
Secretary Edward R. Madigan to
nomination for president in 1984.
went against the politically potent
quickly grant aid to Central Cali-
Ile withdrew after a poor showing
NRA by voting for a ban on the sale
fornia farmers who suffered losses
in the New Hampshire primary.
of assault weapons in the state
from cold weather last winter.
Cranston also served as Senate
after a deranged gunman killed
He also cites cases in which he
Democratic Whip, the second-
five children in a Stockton schoo-
has helped cut federal red tape for
ranking party position, from 1977
lyard in 1989.
constituents, like expediting a
until this year. He did not seek re-
The Republican senator also au-
$10,500 payment due a work-in-
election to the leadership position
thored noncontroversial amend-
jured Fresno woman from the
after facing treatment for prostate
ments to the pending Senate omni-
federal worker's compensation
cancer and undergoing investiga-
bus anticrime bill which called for
program.
tion by the Senate Elhics Commit-
tougher prison sentences for crimi-
tee.
nals who use children and teen-
Desert compromise
Cranston is facing possible cen-
agers to help them commit federal
Seymour sees his best opportuni-
sure by the Senate for helping
crimes; and allowing certain state
ty for demonstrating achievement
Charles II. Keating Jr., indicted
court convictions to trigger a 15-
as negotiating a compromise on
former operator of Lincoln Savings
year federal prison sentence for
the Southern California desert con-
and Loan of Irvine, federal
abush ecord DCIVIC CICCUON HCAL
ciates contributed nearly $1 mil-
defeated proposal by Sen. Daniel
political landscape, is gaining re-
lion to Cranston's political causes.
P. Moynihan, D-N.Y., to cut the
spect from some Democratic law-
Before House and Senate hear-
Social Security payroll tax to pre-
makers from California.
ings publicized the Keating con-
vent the federal government from
Rep. Vic Fazio, D-Sacramento,
nection, Cranston was adept at
using surplus funds in the retire-
chairman of the Democratic Con-
retaining the support of liberals by
ment system to pay for current
gressional Campaign Committee,
voting their way on major issues
costs of other programs.
said Seymour "is working very
while satisfying California business
"He believes the bite on the
hard on state issues, and develop-
interests with low-profile amend-
taxpayer should be kept to a mini-
ing the potential to be a strong
ments to taxation and banking
mum" said Cranham, the senator's
candidate. I would not take him
bills.
chief of staff.
lightly."
Seymour, who has served as
Two days after taking office,
Rep. Mel Levine, D-Santa Moni-
president of the California Associa- @
Seymour voted for using U.S.
ca, who plans to seek the Demo-
tion of Realtors, strongly supported
forces to oust Iraq from Kuwait,
cratic nomination for the other
realtor, mortgage, tille and build-
which Cranston opposed. Seymour
Senate seat on the ballot next year,
ing interests while a state senator.
joined Cranston in approving a
lauded Seymour's effort "lo break
But he denies doing SO in ex-
fast-track procedure for negotiat-
the logjam on desert conservation
change for speaking fees and sub-
ing a U.S.-Mexico trade treaty
legislation."
stantial campaign contributions,
sought by Bush.
Levine, who has introduced a
including nearly half of the $1.2
Seymour prefers to term himself
version of Cranston's proposal in
million he spent on an unsuccessful
a "compassionate Republican," but
the House of Representatives, said
race for the Republican nomina-
agrees he could also be rightly
Seymour's attempt to negotiate a
tion for lieutenant governor last
labeled a pragmatic Republican.
compromise "will be a key issue in
year.
"I have changed and matured in
judging his effectiveness as a sena-
"After 17 years as a Reallor, I
office," he said. "I have learned a
tor."
have deep convictions regarding
lot about issues I hadn't really
private property rights and home
Earnest and friendly
thought about before in any great
ownership," said Seymour, who
depth."
The 5-foot-6-inch Seymour does
sold his business after being elect-
Two changes in positions in 1989
not have a commanding physical
ed to the state Senate.
have brought him under fire from
presence or an eloquent tongue,
"It is altogether logical that
such conservative critics as Rep.
but his earnest and friendly man-
those interests should support me
William E. Dannemeyer, R-Fuller-
ner has eased his way into the
because they agree with my philos-
ton, who is opposing Seymour in
exclusive club known as the U.S.
ophy. But I would not support a bill
the 1992 Republican primary for
Senate.
benefiting a specific Realtor, rath-
the two-year Senate seat.
Seymour was planning to play
er than the industry as a whole."
Dannemeyer charges Seymour
tennis once a week with the late
Floyd Farano, Seymour's sena-
with being "a political clone" of
Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., before he
torial legal counsel and former
Wilson for switching to Wilson's
was killed in an airplane-helicop-
Riverside altorney, notes that Sey-
opposition to any new federal off-
ter crash in April.
mour withdrew from real estate
shore oil and gas leases along the
Seymour also recharges his bat-
business in Anaheim Hills in order
California coast and for abortion
teries by taking catnaps while
to avoid any conflict-of-interest as
rights.
being driven to his next stop in
a member of the Anaheim Plan-
Seymour contends the Alaskan
California. Otherwise, he is making
ning Commission in the early 1970s.
and Huntington Beach oil spills
calls on a cellular phone when he
Farano, who was also a member
changed his mind regarding the
isn't studying position papers.
of the Planning Commission at that
environmental threat of coastal oil
When Seymour gets on and off a
time, said Seymour "gave up a
shipment and drilling; and he be-
cross-country airliner, he looks
very large segment of his business
came convinced that the govern-
like an overburdened mule. The
and income SO he would not be in
ment should not regulate abortion
cellular phone is in one hand, a
any conflict of interest."
after a 1989 Supreme Court deci-
large briefcase in the other, and a
Seymour's net worth, now esti-
sion giving states more authority to
heavy luggage bag is slung over his
mated at $1 million, "is a hell of a
restrict abortions.
shoulder. He doesn't want to waste
lot smaller now that when he
"That decision could lead to a
time waiting for his bags, SO he
entered government 20 years ago,"
patchwork quill of 50 different
carries them aboard.
said Ferano, who was previously
state laws on abortion," Seymour
A down-to-earth type, Seymour
the senator's personal attorney.
said. He also notes that a conserva-
said he is not impressed by the
"Ile used to have pages and pages
tive leader, retired Sen. Barry
trappings of power in the nation's
of properties. Now he is down to
Goldwater of Arizona, has always
capital nor invitations to social
nine."
supported abortion rights; and for-
events featuring prominent offi-
Seymour served as mayor of
mer President Ronald Reagan,
cials. "It's nice, but it's not where
Anaheim and as a member of its
when governor of California in
the job is at," he said.
City Council before becoming a
1967, signed abortion rights legisla-
He would like more time for
state senator from Orange County.
tion into law.
gardening, barbecuing, fishing or
Seymour, who gets $102,000 a
Seymour also supports legisla-
reading historical novels and biog-
year as a senator, refuses to accept
tion that would overturn the
raphies. Ilis favorite American he-
speaking fees, although he could
recent Suprème Court decision
roes are Abraham Lincoln and
do SO up to $30,000 annually. "I
prohibiting federally aided family
Benjamin Franklin.
want to make sure there is no
planning clinics from mentioning
Seymour is looking forward to a
possible taint or conflict of inter-
abortion as an option to pregnant
week's vacation in late August,
est," he said.
women.
when he will gather his wife, six
His wife, Judy, works fulltime
Wilson's selection of Seymour to
children from two marriages, four
without pay as a volunteer schedul-
succeed him in the Senate came as
grandchildren and some friends
er and mail supervisor in his
a surprise to political-observervers
and staffers into two leased house
Senate office.
since it was expected that the
boats at Lake Powell, Ariz.
Seymour, who was state Senate
choice would be someone better
"The toughest part of this job is
Republican caucus chairman from
known statewide and with Wash-
missing time with my family," said
1983 to 1987, when he lost it to
ington experience.
Seymour, who at the end of a long
more conservative John Doolittle
Besides a similarity of views on
day of California campaigning may
of Roseville, has moved toward the
the major issues, Wilson said he
stop by a 7-Eleven store to pick up
center of his party in the last
picked Seymour because "he is
a frozen pizza and quart of milk for
decade.
honest, he is smart, he is tough-
supper at his condo in San Clemen-
"I've watched him evolve over
minded and he is tenacious."
te.
the years from being a hard right,
Otto Bos, the governor's commu-
His wife and two youngest chil-
doctrinaire Republican to someone
nications director who died last
dren, Barrett and Serena, 17, are
who sees the role of government as
month of a heart attack, confided
now living in McLean, Va., a
a problem-solver," said Cranham,
that the key reason why Wilson
wealthy suburb of Washington,
the senator's chief of staff.
picked Seymour was "loyalty."
D.C.
Seymour's Senate votes so far
Seymour was an early supporter
And although Seymour ex-
indicate a mainstream Republican
and major campaign fund-raiser
presses confidence that he will a
who usually supports President
for Wilson in his campaigns for the
senator for longer than his appoint-
Bush and goes along with a major-
Senate and governorship.
ed term of two years, the former
CAL
Officio
Association of RE
RS
FOR
Gettin
Send
John
87th Annual C.A.R.
Convention and Trade Show
Special Section Inside
MR. SEYMOUR
GOES TO
WASHINGTON
For this former C.A.R. president and public servant, it's been
a heady eight months. Indeed, John Seymour has been on the
fast track ever since Gov. Pete Wilson appointed him United
States senator this past January. A staunch housing advocate,
Seymour is a champion of the real estate industry and pri-
vate property rights. On the following pages, CALIFORNIA
REAL ESTATE magazine presents you with a profile highlighting
Seymour's career and some of his personal philosophies.
REALTORS®, meet Sen. John Seymour.
By Laura Meyers
26
September 1991
Sen. John Seymour gets a little help on the campaign trail from son, Barrett.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY ETRA
he marble hallways of the
heard. His first speech on the
ing Seymour's "the short seat" - a
T
Senate Building on Capitol
Senate floor and first vote support-
reference to the fact that whoever
Hill are quiet most weekends.
ed the President's actions in the
wins the 1992 confirmation elec-
In a non-election year, many
Persian Gulf. He has thrown in
tion must run again in 1994 when
legislators spend this leisure time
with Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (R-Texas)
Wilson's term would have ended.
relaxing with family and key sup-
on "super-IRA" legislation, which
Rep. William Dannemeyer (R-
porters, working on policy but sel-
would allow early withdrawal of
Fullerton), Seymour's strongly con-
dom stumping for votes. But for
certain retirement funds to pay for
servative foe, has already declared
California's junior senator, John
college, medical emergencies or to
a primary fight to the finish next
Seymour, each weekend brings
purchase first homes. And, he has
year. And, as if that weren't
red-eye flights and a grueling
stepped up his longtime campaign
enough to daunt the bravest soul,
schedule of political fundraisers,
against drug abuse and criminality,
even the media have pegged
media events and meetings with
personally delivering a federal
Seymour as an underdog, describ-
constituents. He's visited drought-
check for $10.5 million to Los
ing him variously as "obscure, un-
hit farms and debt-plagued
Angeles drug enforcement officials
known" and merely a "caretaker"
schools, talked with businesspeo-
in June.
senator.
ple, environmentalists, off-road en-
Still, the 53-year-old Seymour,
Seymour, the contender, may be
thusiasts, law enforcement officers
like Wilson before him, wears a
an underdog, but he's fighting to
and defense officials to name but a
boyish grin and declares that he is
win. "My son says I'm like Rocky,"
few groups. He's also met with
parochial - and, doggone it,
Seymour says. Maybe so, but this
hundreds, if not thousands, of indi-
proud of it. "California first," he
Rocky Balboa wears a Mickey
vidual constituents and attempted
says. "I'm not a senator from
Mouse wristwatch - no doubt a
to handle their problems. "We have
California. I'm a senator for
sentimental display of his 16 years
an open door policy - you don't
California."
as an Anaheim elected official (first
need an appointment," says
Crisscrossing California as if it
as councilman, then as mayor and,
Seymour. "That's good politics."
were a congressional district rather
finally, as state senator) and two
"It takes a staff of 70 to keep up
than a sprawling, 156,361 square-
decades of working in real estate
with him," acknowledges longtime
mile region of 30 million people,
under Mickey's watchful eyes. Like
aide, Bill Cranham, Seymour's chief
the senator is visiting each urban,
Rocky, Seymour says the odds are
of staff. "There's very little relax-
agricultural and recreational nook
tough - but not insurmountable.
ation involved for him." Indeed, af-
and cranny. "This schedule is in-
Even so, politics hasn't always
ter a particularly arduous 15 hours
tense," admits Seymour. "Since I
been part of Seymour's game plan.
during the Senate's Memorial Day
was appointed, I've had to hit the
Born in Chicago and raised near
break - a day that began at 5 a.m.
ground running. The job just re-
Pittsburgh, he served a four-year
and included, among other things,
quires that I spend a great deal of
stint in the Marines before moving
a helicopter ride to an aircraft carri-
time in California getting to know
West in the late 1950s to major in
er in the Pacific to greet returning
the people and the issues."
business at UCLA. Seymour re-
troops, a plane ride to Imperial
John Seymour is running, and
members that even earlier, "about
County to tour a mining operation,
running hard. Ever since Wilson
the time I was 12 or 13 years old, I
and a dusty gallop across the
stunned politicos by selecting
began thinking about making a lot
desert in an off-road vehicle -
Seymour, then a state senator from
of money. I had this dream of be-
Seymour turned to a companion
Anaheim, to replace him in
ing a millionaire. Until I came to
and sighed, "When did they
Washington, Seymour has been
California, I just never thought I
change the definition of 'recess' to
caught in the political fray. He's
would find the opportunity to real-
"sweatshop"
had to take blows from his own
ize my dream in real estate."
Meet John Seymour, REALTOR
Republican party's ultraconserva-
Inspired by that dream, Seymour
and past C.A.R. president, politi-
tive right as well as from the
changed his college studies empha-
cian, public servant and now the
Democrats, who gleefully pro-
sis to real estate. But his first ven-
freshman senator from California.
claimed him vulnerable to their
ture in the housing market was
Appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson in
party heavyweights in next year's
hardly auspicious. "I convinced
January to fill his unexpired Senate
election. Both California Senate
these buddies to invest in a piece
term, Seymour has no intention of
seats are up for election in 1992.
of real estate with me. Crazy," he
adhering to the old adage that
The seat belonging to Sen. Alan
says, chuckling. The five partners
Washington newcomers, like chil-
Cranston, who is retiring, carries a
each put up $5,000 to purchase a
dren, should be seen and not
six-year term. But pundits are call-
dilapidated six-unit property in
28
September 1991
Venice for $25,000. "Those were
leaders, impressed with his staunch
when Seymour walked into her of-
the days of beatniks," Seymour re-
support for individual property
fice years ago and complained
counts. The plumbing was held to-
rights, convinced Seymour to run
about the way the Board conduct-
gether by rust, the "beatniks" paid
for City Council in 1974. He was
ed some of its business. "He was
very low rents - when they paid
elected mayor of Anaheim in 1978.
extremely upset. I said, 'Well, if
at all - and Seymour, heady with
(He is credited with luring the
you don't like the way things are,
confidence in the investment,
Rams from Los Angeles to
get onto the Board and change
turned down an offer for $30,000 a
Anaheim.)
things."
few months later. Bad move. Soon
Seymour's friendship with
He did. Within three years,
thereafter, city officials ordered the
Wilson dates back to this period.
Seymour had become Board presi-
rundown units either demolished
Their working relationship began
dent. "John's thrust was (to in-
or completely rehabilitated, wiping
in 1976, when Seymour, then a
crease) professionalism within the
out the partners' investment. Still,
councilman, and Wilson, then San
industry. He organized seminars
says Seymour, "that did not deter
Diego's mayor, were both dele-
before there was required continu-
me from real estate."
gates to a California League of
ing education. For him, the issue
After graduating in 1962,
was to become more professional
Seymour worked as a real estate
and learn your job as a REALTORO,"
loan trainee at California Bank
I spoke throughout the
says Jones. "And, he was very well-
(now First Interstate). "When I left
organized. He always carried a big
there, my comment was: 'You
state, asking that question:
yellow tablet and made notes.
should not have paid me, I should
We'd laugh and say, 'Oh no, here
have paid you for all I learned," he
remembers. For the next six
'Where will your children
comes John.' You would be left
with a long list of things to do -
months, he worked as a salesper-
live?' What emanated from
and off he'd go, to the next project."
son at Walker and Lee, then
Seymour carried that yellow
Orange County's largest real estate
my (C.A.R.) presidency was
tablet with him to C.A.R. as well,
brokerage.
where he was appointed to the
Two years later, Seymour walked
a statewide organization,
Executive Committee in 1972. He
into a Bank of America branch,
remembers part of his initial em-
armed with loan documents co-
representing a broad spec-
phasis: "I thought that real estate
signed by his father, and borrowed
should be a profession, and educa-
$10,000 to start his own real estate
trum of interests, called
tion is the key," he states. Later, he
company in Anaheim. "We started
became chair of C.A.R.'s Legislative
out in home resales. Then, we
Californians for Housing.
Committee and pushed the
moved into property management.
Association to become even more
Eventually, I bought a mortgage
- John Seymour
active in state and local politics. By
company, and we moved into new
the time Seymour became C.A.R.
developments and condo manage-
president in 1980, he was leading
ment. Ultimately, we did some new
the REALTORS®' charge for afford-
housing development ourselves. I
able housing statewide under the
had two corporations and em-
Cities convention. They were im-
banner slogan: "Where Will Your
ployed 125 people by the time I
mediate political soul mates, mod-
Children Live?"
sold the business in 1981 to be a
erates and pragmatists on certain
"Housing affordability and (help-
full-time public servant," he says.
social issues (though it took many
ing) the first-time buyer was my
During those years, Seymour bro-
years and several seminal events
whole theme," recounts Seymour.
kered countless real estate transac-
for Seymour to switch his opinion
"I spoke throughout the state, ask-
tions and invested in some two
on environmental legislation and
ing that question: 'Where will your
dozen partnerships that owned
women's rights) while hewing to
children live?' What emanated from
rental property.
the Republican line on support of
my (C.A.R.) presidency was a
But Seymour didn't spend all his
business interests.
statewide organization, represent-
time just working in real estate. In
In addition to his civic activities,
ing a broad spectrum of interests,
1970, he was appointed to the
Seymour also became further in-
called Californians for Housing."
Anaheim Planning Commission at a
volved with the real estate indus-
This was a critical time for
time when that city experienced a
try. Anaheim Board Executive Vice
Seymour. "I hadn't really planned
surge in growth. Local business
President Patricia Jones recalls
on a political career," he says, "but
California Real Estate
29
once I got in, I realized the power
merous significant issues. He's a
lessons are not lost on him - but
of government, and the impact
strong opponent of rent control -
he moves on to the next issue."
government can have on people's
but also pushed legislation (SB
In 1990, Seymour hoped to be
lives and property." In 1980, after
1290) that encouraged the con-
Wilson's running mate in the lat-
his election to another term as
struction of low-income housing
ter's quest for the governorship.
Anaheim mayor, Seymour decided
units through state tax credits.
But Seymour's primary campaign
"to give up my businesses and de-
"What drives people in the politi-
for lieutenant governor faltered
vote myself fully to public service."
cal world nuts about John," says
against fellow Orange County
He says both he and his wife, Judy,
Seymour staffer and friend
Republican Marian Bergeson, a
knew "we would have to live our
Cranham, "is that he doesn't fall on
rock-ribbed conservative who beat
lives in a fishbowl and that the fi-
Seymour even in their home terri-
nancial rewards of being a busi-
tory. Due to this loss, no one really
nessman and an entrepreneur
expected Seymour would replace
would no longer be there."
John Seymour was
Wilson in Washington this year.
But, by this time, he was well-es-
When the phone call came last
tablished in the world of public
possibly the most
December - Seymour was on a
service and had become a master-
family ski trip in the Sierras-he
ful orator, notes REALTOR Seb
Sterpa, also a former C.A.R. presi-
articulate C.A.R.
was as stunned as everyone else,
but quickly decided to take on the
dent who now chairs the California
challenge.
Housing Finance Agency (CHFA).
president we had -
With his wife in charge of rent-
"John Seymour was possibly the
ing a new home in Virginia (two of
most articulate C.A.R. president we
especially with
their six children - three from his
had - especially with respect to
first marriage, one from hers and
bringing housing issues to the at-
respect to bringing
two together - still live at home),
tention of those outside the real es-
John Seymour was off and running
tate industry," remarks Sterpa. "He
was extremely popular because of
housing issues to the
in Washington, faced with the Gulf
crisis and a national recession.
his charisma, and he can really mo-
tivate a crowd."
attention of those outside
Though a quick study, Seymour
usually holds back his opinion un-
As a state senator, Seymour was
til he has all the facts. Said Wilson
an effective and pragmatic legisla-
the real industry.
of his appointee, "The issues are
tor and dealmaker. He enjoyed the
new and complex, and John is not
sometimes heated give-and-take
- Seb Sterpa
a hip-shooter."
scuffles of Sacramento negotiating
He is, however, firm in his con-
and policymaking. With affability
servative beliefs. "The voters
and near-boundless energy, he typ-
should know that I represent some
ically carried 60 to 70 legislative
the philosophical sword. He
very basic conservative values,"
bills each year, sometimes parting
doesn't hold political grudges, and
purports Seymour. "I believe in a
ways and even engaging in pitched
he doesn't believe in litmus tests.
balanced federal budget. I believe
battle with conservative Republi-
He believes you are elected to im-
in presidential power to line-item
cans on education and housing af-
plement good public policy that
veto. I believe in the reduction of
fordability issues. He is widely
will benefit the greatest number of
the capital gains tax - it would
credited with building the consen-
people.
create jobs. Yes, real estate would
sus that encouraged, SB 813, a
"He has the ability not just to ar-
be helped, but it would help the
landmark education reform bill in
ticulate ideas, but to carry those
economy. I am a conservative on
1983, which was stalled by Senate
ideas to the larger body and get
foreign policy and when it comes
Republicans. He also supported in-
them through the administrative
to law and order issues. I support
creasing teachers' salaries and
process," Cranham further ob-
the death penalty."
pushed the insurance industry into
serves. "He's a competitor, and
But he breaks ranks with conser-
offering liability insurance to day-
doesn't like to lose at anything he
vatives on certain social issues. "I
care operators. Indeed, it was
undertakes. He plays to win. And,
believe our economic survival as a
Seymour's nonpartisan problem-
while he takes that seriously, John
democracy is dependent on the
solving approach that made him an
also has a somewhat childlike de-
quality of education we give our
adroit legislator, one who was able
tachment from it. He doesn't dwell
young people. I support education
to carve out compromises on nu-
on the victory or the loss. The
spending. I'm also a believer in
32
September 1991
women's rights - whether it's a
is evaporating for many young
would make federal low-income
woman's right to choose or to
people," he says. Indeed, his own
housing tax credit programs per-
compete equally with men in the
two eldest children would not own
manent, and wants to see the mort-
business world."
homes were it not for their parents'
gage credit certificate and mort-
On environmental issues,
help. The Seymours loaned their
gage revenue bond programs reau-
Seymour, influenced by back-to-
daughter and her husband money
thorized. He also supports federally
back oil spills in Alaska and
for a downpayment on their first
mandated enterprise zones to help
Huntington Beach, has slowly
home, and are equity partners with
create jobs. "If we can provide a
changed some of his previous posi-
their son and his wife on that cou-
jobs-housing balance, then we can
tions. One of his first major efforts
ple's starter home. "I realize how
have an inviting environment for
in Washington has been to try to
business expansion. And, housing
forge a compromise on the Desert
is an important part of the infras-
Protection Act, legislation spon-
tructure for economic growth."
sored by Sen. Cranston and op-
Before he helps build the
posed by Wilson when he was a
REALTORS® are a
California of the future, however,
senator. Seymour has met with par-
Seymour first must win in 1992. In
ties opining positions on all sides
profession of pioneers,
a recent statewide Los Angeles
of the issue - environmentalists
Times poll, a vast majority - near-
wanting more lands protected, oth-
ers who want more of the desert
of risk-takers,
ly 80 percent - of California vot-
ers said they know SO little about
opened to recreation - and hopes
John Seymour that they couldn't
to come up with a bill that all fac-
of dreamers and
assess whether they like him or
tions can live with.
not. For a victory in 1992, Seymour
Regarding his campaign back in
must build statewide name identifi-
California, Seymour says, "I want
doers, committed
cation now - and must raise
REALTORS® very much involved,
roughly $20 million to fund the
because REALTORS® represent the
to making a difference
campaign, to boot. It helps, of
heartbeat of any community in
course, that important early en-
California and mine is a grass roots
dorsements have been coming to
effort. They are at the grass roots of
to our communities
Seymour. The Howard Jarvis
California. Successful REALTORS®
Taxpayers Association weighed in
know everybody in town, they
and our country.
with support this past spring and,
know the whole town, block by
in June, President Bush strongly
block, neighborhood by neighbor-
endorsed Seymour in the Senate
hood. I want their support because
- Sen. John Seymour
race.
I represent them in my philosophy
So, though daunting, the chal-
- as it relates to private property
lenge Seymour faces won't go un-
rights and support for first-time
met. As those around him attest, he
homebuyers."
difficult it is for them - or any
is a fierce competitor. "I have
This past April, in a speech be-
young person - to come up with
played tennis with him, and I am a
fore the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
a downpayment or to qualify for
ranked tennis player. He's not,"
OF REALTORS®, Seymour lauded
loans today. That's one reason why
says Clark Wallace, a friend since
the profession for its "pioneering
I'm an original coauthor, with
their C.A.R. Executive Committee
spirit" and "entrepreneurial drive."
Lloyd Bentsen, of the super-IRA
days and the newly appointed
He explained, "Homeownership is
bill, which is one of the broader in-
Commissioner of the California
the stuff that American dreams are
centives to save, but which will not
Department of Real Estate.
made of, and we as REALTORS®
be an easy bill to pass."
"Doesn't stop him though. He
are a profession of pioneers, of
Seymour told REALTORS® at
would go for everything I sent him
risk-takers, of dreamers and doers,
N.A.R. that unless "we rebuild a
- very aggressive, very competi-
committed to personal success, to
strong housing market, we cannot
tive. He plays hard, he plays to
be sure, but also committed to
rebuild a strong American econo-
win. Except in tennis, he seldom
making a difference to our commu-
my. When housing slips, America
loses, and that tells you a little
nities and our country."
slides. It's as simple as that." He al-
about his life."
Seymour equates the American
ready has carried his interest in
dream with the "ability to have a
housing issues to the federal level.
Laura Meyers is a Los Angeles-based
piece of the action. But that dream
Seymour is pushing legislation that
freelance writer.
California Real Estate
33
the drin
9/10
1
VOTED IN
FAVOR DRING
AVIS
ANNAR
ON EMERGY com.
Michelle -Utah
Reggy- Btoschool
Sin. Seymour
I
Co-sponsor
Am 2000
Pro-school choice
believe family
proper plan make
NRSC- 202-675-6000
[-KAUFMAN
2135]
[DINNER FOR SEN. SEYMOUR (LA, CA.)]
KANFMAN'S OFF [DONNA] press sucretary
BARBARA-
KATHY HUTCHINSON - 2237 (AD) political affairs California
Joan stabler 213-575-6765 (So Ca Dir.)
Bob Simon was on pre-advance
CAMPAION HQ)
Jeff Wier - press sec. Summour ((714)-434-1992-
campaign issms
16
appt. by wilson fill term - repub incombant senator 1 special
57 5/133
election Diam Feingten only announced rhallenge
pro-choice, anti-crim drugs, against rff-shere dring
pro-environment (moderate Rynstin wilson clone)
SEUMOUR ON EDUCATION LUNNROCKNICK-(224-304) L/A EDUCATION
will have a fough raa - State Senator until appt.;
slected mayor Anaheim
WDC
Mark PROCOPIO- -
PRESS OFFICE IN DC SENATE 11/9/91 OFFICE
caly
RICHARD M<BRIDE (cangaign manger) a 914-434-1992
/ve msq. 202-224-3841
[Mike Wooten AA-224-3841]
RICK DAVIS- State Dir. 916-557-2733 (senate staff)
n 1,000 $1,000 a pp
@ centry Playa Hotell (anor from FDX-
60v. witson to intr Synor & POTUS
₹20
celebs Don Johnson, Melane outpute, Form
Challon Austin
Chuck Noms -
against Danamyer
aggted my wison
going
Doug Gamble- jone winter (tak to Markate fist
213-546-6409
213-545-6458 fox
mest 188 door Die Hard bldg.; Reagan office
POTUS mut celebs by dinner
big heart table maykate for girdance
pm possibing Pres. Reagan
* /
not guatest thing since shind brend may not win)
Bob word
cautina
so: Ca. an.
Joanne Stabler 213-575-4765
9/11/91 3pm
Richard M cride- 714-434-1992 campaign they was ml
BRICK DAVIS
916-557-2733 statedirector
HD Calmer
avenu of the Stars
heart of Century City - centerst live audunu
theatres
5 -Centung lot
Centry alaza in for angles Bauroom
blacks
meals carp. HQ.of Fox Brod.
cocktail 6:30pm / denner @ 7:30 pm
23 20th centy studios
(Belair Rm.). green nm.
for fox
confirmed
near
celebs: Kevin ChuckNomis; Cosner Tony Dama; Chailton Heston,
Lissie
(Dre Hard bldg - don't know-
(
stull
would like 2sec
tyce Vadding off
what sen. think ab 4 speech:
213-624-1934
quality of man saymoun is - (Mot well known yet)
head table info
the traditional Ca. story
Ca. out of
names, put self thru UCLA; started
call kathy
own big (entraprement) real eshit -montgage
Hutchnson (political)
Co. (John Saymon } assoc.); then big
Lorretta young
action in gon. b/c mayor of ana ham 78
where du big - Jublic life 4yrs. later
elet 2 state Denate (82) been pub.
sewie sim, non us senator; only 8 mos
on job seen very effective an Crime Bin
nigotis 5 sig. amends m crime fin
(Jan 10 91 -Awon - in)- 48 hrs oft b6 Awon
M Senatifi. in volud on Gulf wan-
support of desert starm !
(- Cranston ?
)
I
Kathy Hutchinson has list of alles -