urn:taro:houpub.00046Graciela Saenz Collection: An Inventory of Her Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library
500 McKinney St. Julia Ideson Building, 2nd Floor Houston, Tx 77002 832-393-1665
Encoded in EAD Version 2002 and edited according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions by Amber Seely inMay 2006 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Saenz, GracielaGraciela Saenz Collection1992-20001997Materials are in English.MSS 13959 lin. ft, 9 record storage boxes. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library Historical Note

The collection covers primarily the three terms—six years—that Graciela Saenz served as Houston City Council Member At Large Place 1, 1992-1998, and an unsuccessful campaign for Mayor in 1997. Saenz was the first Hispanic and woman to be elected to the position of Mayor Pro-Tem, 1992-1997. Council Member Saenz took office at the same time as Mayor Bob Lanier who, like Saenz, served three terms and left office because of term limitations. Lanier won election on a platform of increased police protection for Houston citizens who were significantly concerned about public safety. The economy of the city was also a concern, still recovering from the oil bust of 1982-1984. A major portion of the collection’s council records are concerned with the Joint City/County Commission on Youth, 1993-1997, which was concerned with crimes committed by youths, among other issues.

Biographical Note

Graciela Saenz, nee Guzman, is a native-born Houstonian, who received both her BA in Spanish and JD degrees from the University of Houston in 1978 and 1986, respectively. Married to now retired Houston police sergeant Eloy Saenz since 1978, she worked to finance his education. When his education was completed, he helped with financing her education. After law school, Saenz was employed by the Harris County District Attorney’s office from 1986-1990. Later she moved on to the firm of Burkhardt and Saenz, 1990-1992, joining Broocks, Baker and Lange, L.L.P. in 1992, and leaving in 2000 for Oppel, Goldberg & Saenz. Her legal practice has emphasized administrative law, and commercial and international business transactions. Her interest in international business was evident during her tenure on Council as she was president of Houston International Initiatives, a City of Houston organization, which encouraged international trade.

As Council Member from 1992 through 1998, she chaired three committees: Council Rules, Ethics, and Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises while serving on nine other committees. She also served on the Joint City/County Commission for Children and Youth, 1993-1997. Saenz was the first Hispanic and woman to be elected to the position of Mayor Pro-Tem, 1996-1997. Her private activities included service on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, support of Houston Grand Opera, the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way. She has three children and a grandchild. For additional information, see the attached biographies.

Scope and Contents

The collection covers the period 1992-2000, which includes the years that Saenz served on Houston City Council, with address lists, agendas, appointment calendars, bank statements, brochures, checks, correspondence, greeting cards, invitations, mechanical copies of fax transmissions, memos, message logs, meeting minutes, news releases, newsletters, newspaper articles, note pads, publications, questionnaires, receipts, reports, requests for meetings, schedules, and voter analysis printouts. The collection describes the public and private service of Graciela Saenz as Council Member and involved citizen. The mechanics of the Mayoral Campaign of 1997 are described by invitations, questionnaires, and answers to issues. Some post-City Council items are included.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged with the material related to city council service presented first followed by campaign funding, mayoral campaigns, service with private organizations, and calendars and logs of appointments.

Series 1: City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Service Series 2: Campaigning for Office Series 3: Service with Non-Profit Organizations Series 4: Event Registers Access Restrictions

None.

 Use Restrictions

None.

 Preferred Citation

Graciela Saenz Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.

 Acquisition Information

Donated by: Graciela Saenz, October 23, 2001.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Ron Drees, November 2005.

 Index Terms Subjects Campaign debates--Texas--Houston Campaign funds--Texas--Houston Campaign Management--Texas--Houston Cities and town--Texas--HoustonCity councils--Texas—HoustonDirectors of corporationsPolitical campaigns--Texas--HoustonForeign trade promotion--Texas--HoustonGovernment attorneys--Texas--Harris CountyGovernment business enterprises--Texas--HoustonHispanic Americans in the professions--Texas--HoustonHuman services--Texas--HoustonInternational lawMayors--Texas--HoustonMunicipal government--Texas--HoustonNonprofit organizations--Texas--HoustonOpera companies--Texas--HoustonTheaters--Texas--HoustonProfessional associations--Texas--HoustonWomen city council members--Texas--HoustonWomen--Societies and clubs--Texas--Houston PeopleLanier, Bob, 1925-Saenz, Graciela, 1953-OrganizationsBoy Scouts of America. Sam Houston Area CouncilC.T. Bauer College of BusinessHouston Bar AssociationHouston (Tex.). City CouncilMexican-American Bar Association of HoustonUnited Way--Texas--HoustonUniversity of Houston--Center for Mexican American StudiesUniversity of Houston--Law CenterHouston YMCA (Houston, Tex.)Detailed DescriptionCity Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem ServiceService on Children and Youth Committees & Commission

Committees and organizations such as Communities in Schools, Youth Violence & Gangs Committee, and Joint City/County Commission on Children.

11Child Welfare, Services, 199312Communities in Schools, 1994-1995 13Greater Houston Partnership, Parental Involvement Day, 1995-1996 14Youth Violence & Gangs Committee, Correspondence, 1994-199515Youth Violence & Gangs Committee, Meetings & Schools,1994-199516Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1993-199417Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1993-199418 Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994 19Joint City/County Commission on Children,1994 110Joint City/County Commission on Children, Aug. 1994-Mar. 1995111Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994-1995 112Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1989, 1993, 1995113Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994-1995114Joint City/County Commission on Children, Jan. - June 1995115Joint City/County Commission on Children, July-Dec. 1995116Joint City/County Commission on Children, Priorities & After School Programs, 1996-1997117Joint City/County Commission on Children, Memos, Minutes, 1995, 1996, 1997118Joint City/County Commission on Children, Agendas, Correspondence, Minutes 1996 & 1997119Houston Independent School District, Budget, 1997-1998120 Texas Commission on Youth & Children, 1993 & 1994Houston City Council Member Activities

International trade, trips, Houston International Initiatives, city budget analysis, agendas, ethics, handwritten notes on thoughts & accomplishments, 1995 voting analysis.

21Council Member Correspondence, Newsletter, 199422International Trade, Legal Services Contract Draft, 199423International Affairs, Trip to Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, 199624Council Member Correspondence, Newsletter, 199625 Downtown Houston, Articles, Newsletter, 199626Houston International Initiatives--Correspondence, Brochures, Minutes, Agendas, 1996-199727Foreign Trade, Related Organizations, 1996-199728Certificate from Panama to Council Member Gracie Saenz, n.d.29Newsletters, Various, 1997210City of Houston, Budget Analysis, Inter-office Correspondence, 1996211City Council Papers, Agenda, 24 & 25 Sept. 1996212City of Houston, Trade Mission, World Energy Cities, 1997213City Council Papers, Agendas, Correspondence, 1996-1997214Mayor Pro Tem, Responsibilities, Chapel Dedication, 1997215City of Houston, Adopted Budget, Budget Analysis, Fiscal Year 1997-98216City of Houston, Ethics and Financial Disclosure, 1997217City Council, Correspondence,1997218Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, City of Houston, Newsletter, 1996 & 1997219Notes, Handwritten, Accomplishments, Thoughts, 1997, n.d.220Notary Public, Application, Information, 1996221General Election, City of Houston, Votes for Candidates, 1995222 Moody Park, Aquatic Center, Dedication, 1997223City of Houston, Adopted Capital Improvement Plan, Fiscal Year 2000-2004Campaigning for OfficeCouncil Member Candidate Activities

Gracie Saenz fund-raising, donations, contributions, bank statements & campaign spending.

31Individuals & Organizations, Addresses & Phone Numbers.32Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Expenditures & Statements, 1993-199433Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 1992-199434Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Contributions & Deposits, 199335Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Contributions & Expenditures, Sworn Report, July 1993-Dec. 199436Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 199437Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Expenditures, 199438Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 199539Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, January-June 1995310Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Statements, American Bank, July-December 199541Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bills and Donations, 199542Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bills and Donations, 199543Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Contributions & Deposits, 199544Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements,199545Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Checkbook, 199846Council Member Campaigns, Newspaper Articles, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 Mayoral Campaign, 199747Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations and Brochures48Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Meeting Requests49Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Articles, Invitations410Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations411Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Brochures412Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Brochures413 Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations 414Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations415Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules416Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations 417Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations51Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Newspaper Articles52Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Newspaper Articles53Air Quality, EPA Standards, Houston Attainability, 199754Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Presentation Explaining Candidacy55Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Finances & Agendas56Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Meetings, Forums, Invitations, Leadership57Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Meetings, Forums, Invitations58Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Questionnaires, Answers, Calendar59Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Questionnaires, Invitations510Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Speech, Schedules, Events511Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Schedules, Newsletters, Correspondence512Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Correspondence, Invitations, Schedules513Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Correspondence, Schedules514Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations515Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations516Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations517Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations518Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations519Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules520Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Debate, KTMD Telemundo TV 4861Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules62 Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules63Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules64Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Briefings, Biography, Schedules65Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Clippings, Faxes, Invitations66Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Vote analysis, Consultant67 Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Post-General ElectionService with Non-Profit OrganizationsProfessional Non-Profit Organizations

Organizations related to the donor’s alma mater, and cultural, ethnic, personal and professional background.

68Alley Theatre, Correspondence, Board Manual, 1996-199769Alley Theatre, Board Meetings, 1996610American Leadership Forum, Readings, Parts 1-9, 1994-1995611American Leadership Forum, Readings, Parts 10-22, 1994-1995612American Leadership Forum, 1995613American Leadership Forum, 1996-1997614American Leadership Forum, Men Against Violence, 1996 & 1997615F.O.C.U.S.-Friends of continental in the U.S., 1997616Hispanic Topics: East End, Professionals, Voting, 1996617Hispanic Women in Leadership Conference, 1996618Hispanic Women in Leadership Conference, 1997619Houston Bar Association, International Law Section, 1996-199771Houston Grand Opera, Meetings, 1996-199772Leadership, Colorado Outward Bound School, 199573Leadership Houston—Memos, Directory, Brochure, 1994, 1996, 199774Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston, Newsletter, 1996-199775Saenz, Gracie, Notes—Leadership, Hispanic Situation, 199576National Association of Latino & Elected Officials, Board of Directors information; 1992, 1995, 199677National Association of Latino & Elected Officials/Appointed Officials, 1996, 1997 78National Association of Latino & Elected Officials, Board Meeting, 199679 NISH—Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities 710Universities, Houston Area, Various, Newsletters, 1996 & 1997711 University of Houston, Center for Mexican American Studies, 1996712University of Houston, College of Business Administration & Small Business Development Center, 1996 & 1997713University of Houston, Law Center, 1996 & 1997714University of Houston, Law Foundation, Advisory Board, 1996715University of Houston, Law Foundation, LCG Associates, 1996 & 1997716University of Houston, Reports, 1996717Women for the Advancement of Hispanic Families, 1996Social Non-Profit Organizations and Human Welfare Organizations 81American Diabetes Association, 1996: Kiss-a-Pig, 199782 Boy Scouts of America: Brochures, 1996; Correspondence, 199783Child Advocates, 1996-199784 Hermann, George H., Society, 1996 & 1997 85Houston Endowment Foundation Report, 1991-199386March of Dimes, Birth Defects, 1996 & 1997 87Solicitations, Cash, Volunteer, 1995 & 199688United Way, Board of Trustees Meeting, 13 December 1994 89United Way, Public Policy Committee, Mixed Materials, 1995, 1996, 1997 810United Way, Board of Trustees, Retreat Information, 1996811United Way, Board of Trustees Meeting, 18 June 1996812United Way, Nominating Committee, 1996813United Way, Board of Trustees Meeting, 20 Aug 1996; Membership, 1995-1996814United Way: Memos, Minutes, Correspondence, Newsletters, 1996-1997815United Way: Research, Various Materials, 1996-1997816United Way, Texas Public Policy Legislation, 1997817United Way, Board of Trustees, Meetings, 1997; Members, 1998818YMCA, Financial Statements of 1995, Agenda of 1996819YMCA, Correspondence; Fire, Children, 1996; Auction Catalog, n.d.820YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1996, January & March 821YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1996, May & July822YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1997, January 823YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1997, May & July824YMCA, Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 25 March 1997825YMCA, Correspondence, 1996, 1997826YMCA, Partners of Youth Campaign, 1996 & 1997Event Registers

Appointment calendars, message logs, personal correspondence.

91Appointment Book, 199292Appointment Books, 1993 & 199493Appointment Books, 1995 & 1996 94Correspondence, Invitations, 199495 Correspondence, Greeting Cards, 1994-1996; Negatives, Unidentified, n.d.96Correspondence, Christmas Cards, 199797Correspondence, Solicitations & Contributions, 199898Message Logs, 1993