Former assemblyman donates papers

By Eisa Al Nashmi

In 1974, there were only four Hispanic assemblymen and two California state senators—now there are 23 Latinos in the legislative.

Former assemblyman Walter Karabian was the vision and motivation for the influx, said Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party and a former assemblyman. A panel discussion held Saturday in honor of Karabian donating his papers, including original correspondence, bill files, photographs, campaign materials and speeches, to the Central Valley Political Archive of the Henry Madden Library.

Torres worked with Karabian when he was in office and during his political campaigns. Torres said Karabian had a big influence—financially and intellectually—in getting him elected to the state assembly in 1974.

"Karabian gave me a framework to how to be successful in politics," Torres said.

Born and raised in Fresno, Karabian—one of the first Armenians to be in an American legislative position—served in the California State Assembly from 1966 to 1974. His political career flourished with success where he opened the doors of politics to young Latinos, committed to his Armenian heritage and contributed in the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

During his years in the state assembly, Karabian became the youngest majority leader ever at 33.
"It was a great honor, lots of responsibility and so much fun, I can't even describe," Karabian said.
Paul Krekorian, vice president of the Burbank Board of Education, said the Armenian community was once oppressed and excluded, and Karabian fought hard to erase that discrimination.

"Karabian never forgot where he came from," Krekorian said. "He has opened doors for many, and ever since he got elected, he has been a teacher of politics to many people of the Armenian society."
Karabian's political career focused on helping under-represented people.

He remembered someone saying, "Good policy is good politics."

"My good policy was helping disenfranchised people like Hispanics and Armenians, and good politics came into effect when both groups fully supported me," he said.

Glen Gray, archivist of the Central Valley Political Archive, said the Karabian papers measure about 30 linear feet.

"It is one-of-a-kind material you cannot buy in a bookstore," Gray said.

Gray said the papers document part of the Central Valley’s political history and are very helpful for researches to have access to those documents.

"This is a way we will be able to preserve the memories of Karabian's political involvement and significance," Gray said.

The CVPA is located on the second floor of the Madden Library. Karabian's documents join the previously donated papers of Kenneth Maddy and Jim Costa.