Graciela Saenz Collection: An Inventory of Her Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Saenz, Graciela
	Title	Graciela Saenz Collection
	Inclusive Dates	1992-2000
	Bulk Date	1997
	Identification	MSS 1395
	Extent	9 lin. ft, 9 record storage boxes.
	Language	Materials are in English.
	Repository	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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

None.

Use Restrictions

None.

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Index Terms

	Subjects
		Campaign debates--Texas--Houston
		Campaign funds--Texas--Houston
		Campaign Management--Texas--Houston
		Cities and town--Texas--Houston
		City councils--Texas—Houston
		Directors of corporations
		Political campaigns--Texas--Houston
		Foreign trade promotion--Texas--Houston
		Government attorneys--Texas--Harris County
		Government business enterprises--Texas--Houston
		Hispanic Americans in the professions--Texas--Houston
		Human services--Texas--Houston
		International law
		Mayors--Texas--Houston
		Municipal government--Texas--Houston
		Nonprofit organizations--Texas--Houston
		Opera companies--Texas--Houston
		Theaters--Texas--Houston
		Professional associations--Texas--Houston
		Women city council members--Texas--Houston
		Women--Societies and clubs--Texas--Houston
	People
		Lanier, Bob, 1925-
		Saenz, Graciela, 1953-
	Organizations
		Boy Scouts of America. Sam Houston Area Council
		C.T. Bauer College of Business
		Houston Bar Association
		Houston (Tex.). City Council
		Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston
		United Way--Texas--Houston
		University of Houston--Center for Mexican American Studies
		University of Houston--Law Center
		Houston YMCA (Houston, Tex.)

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City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Service
			Service 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.
Box	Folder
1	1			Child Welfare, Services, 1993
	2			Communities in Schools, 1994-1995
	3			Greater Houston Partnership, Parental Involvement Day, 1995-1996
	4			Youth Violence & Gangs Committee, Correspondence, 1994-1995
	5			Youth Violence & Gangs Committee, Meetings & Schools, 1994-1995
	6			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1993-1994
	7			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1993-1994
	8			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994
	9			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994
	10			Joint City/County Commission on Children, Aug. 1994-Mar. 1995
	11			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994-1995
	12			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1989, 1993, 1995
	13			Joint City/County Commission on Children, 1994-1995
	14			Joint City/County Commission on Children, Jan. - June 1995
	15			Joint City/County Commission on Children, July-Dec. 1995
	16			Joint City/County Commission on Children, Priorities & After School Programs, 1996-1997
	17			Joint City/County Commission on Children, Memos, Minutes, 1995, 1996, 1997
	18			Joint City/County Commission on Children, Agendas, Correspondence, Minutes 1996 & 1997
	19			Houston Independent School District, Budget, 1997-1998
	20			Texas Commission on Youth & Children, 1993 & 1994
			Houston City Council Member Activities
		International trade, trips, Houston International Initiatives, city budget analysis, agendas, ethics, handwritten notes on thoughts & accomplishments, 1995 voting analysis.
Box	Folder
2	1			Council Member Correspondence, Newsletter, 1994
	2			International Trade, Legal Services Contract Draft, 1994
	3			International Affairs, Trip to Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, 1996
	4			Council Member Correspondence, Newsletter, 1996
	5			Downtown Houston, Articles, Newsletter, 1996
	6			Houston International Initiatives--Correspondence, Brochures, Minutes, Agendas, 1996-1997
	7			Foreign Trade, Related Organizations, 1996-1997
	8			Certificate from Panama to Council Member Gracie Saenz, n.d.
	9			Newsletters, Various, 1997
	10			City of Houston, Budget Analysis, Inter-office Correspondence, 1996
	11			City Council Papers, Agenda, 24 & 25 Sept. 1996
	12			City of Houston, Trade Mission, World Energy Cities, 1997
	13			City Council Papers, Agendas, Correspondence, 1996-1997
	14			Mayor Pro Tem, Responsibilities, Chapel Dedication, 1997
	15			City of Houston, Adopted Budget, Budget Analysis, Fiscal Year 1997-98
	16			City of Houston, Ethics and Financial Disclosure, 1997
	17			City Council, Correspondence, 1997
	18			Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, City of Houston, Newsletter, 1996 & 1997
	19			Notes, Handwritten, Accomplishments, Thoughts, 1997, n.d.
	20			Notary Public, Application, Information, 1996
	21			General Election, City of Houston, Votes for Candidates, 1995
	22			Moody Park, Aquatic Center, Dedication, 1997
	23			City of Houston, Adopted Capital Improvement Plan, Fiscal Year 2000-2004

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Campaigning for Office
			Council Member Candidate Activities
		Gracie Saenz fund-raising, donations, contributions, bank statements & campaign spending.
Box	Folder
3	1			Individuals & Organizations, Addresses & Phone Numbers.
	2			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Expenditures & Statements, 1993-1994
	3			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 1992-1994
	4			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Contributions & Deposits, 1993
	5			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Contributions & Expenditures, Sworn Report, July 1993-Dec. 1994
	6			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 1994
	7			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Expenditures, 1994
	8			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 1995
	9			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, January-June 1995
	10			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Statements, American Bank, July-December 1995
Box	Folder
4	1			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bills and Donations, 1995
	2			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bills and Donations, 1995
	3			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Contributions & Deposits, 1995
	4			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Bank Statements, 1995
	5			Gracie Saenz Campaign Fund, Checkbook, 1998
	6			Council Member Campaigns, Newspaper Articles, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995
			Mayoral Campaign, 1997
Box	Folder
4	7			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations and Brochures
	8			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Meeting Requests
	9			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Articles, Invitations
	10			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	11			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Brochures
	12			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Brochures
	13			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	14			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	15			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules
	16			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	17			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
Box	Folder
5	1			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Newspaper Articles
	2			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Newspaper Articles
	3			Air Quality, EPA Standards, Houston Attainability, 1997
	4			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Presentation Explaining Candidacy
	5			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Finances & Agendas
	6			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Meetings, Forums, Invitations, Leadership
	7			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Meetings, Forums, Invitations
	8			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Questionnaires, Answers, Calendar
	9			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Questionnaires, Invitations
	10			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Speech, Schedules, Events
	11			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Schedules, Newsletters, Correspondence
	12			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Correspondence, Invitations, Schedules
	13			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Correspondence, Schedules
	14			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	15			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	16			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	17			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	18			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations
	19			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules
	20			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Debate, KTMD Telemundo TV 48
Box	Folder
6	1			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules
	2			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules
	3			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Schedules
	4			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Invitations, Briefings, Biography, Schedules
	5			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Clippings, Faxes, Invitations
	6			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Vote analysis, Consultant
	7			Mayoral Campaign, 1997: Post-General Election

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Service with Non-Profit Organizations
			Professional Non-Profit Organizations
		Organizations related to the donor’s alma mater, and cultural, ethnic, personal and professional background.
Box	Folder
6	8			Alley Theatre, Correspondence, Board Manual, 1996-1997
	9			Alley Theatre, Board Meetings, 1996
	10			American Leadership Forum, Readings, Parts 1-9, 1994-1995
	11			American Leadership Forum, Readings, Parts 10-22, 1994-1995
	12			American Leadership Forum, 1995
	13			American Leadership Forum, 1996-1997
	14			American Leadership Forum, Men Against Violence, 1996 & 1997
	15			F.O.C.U.S.-Friends of continental in the U.S., 1997
	16			Hispanic Topics: East End, Professionals, Voting, 1996
	17			Hispanic Women in Leadership Conference, 1996
	18			Hispanic Women in Leadership Conference, 1997
	19			Houston Bar Association, International Law Section, 1996-1997
Box	Folder
7	1			Houston Grand Opera, Meetings, 1996-1997
	2			Leadership, Colorado Outward Bound School, 1995
	3			Leadership Houston—Memos, Directory, Brochure, 1994, 1996, 1997
	4			Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston, Newsletter, 1996-1997
	5			Saenz, Gracie, Notes—Leadership, Hispanic Situation, 1995
	6			National Association of Latino & Elected Officials, Board of Directors information; 1992, 1995, 1996
	7			National Association of Latino & Elected Officials/Appointed Officials, 1996, 1997
	8			National Association of Latino & Elected Officials, Board Meeting, 1996
	9			NISH—Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities
	10			Universities, Houston Area, Various, Newsletters, 1996 & 1997
	11			University of Houston, Center for Mexican American Studies, 1996
	12			University of Houston, College of Business Administration & Small Business Development Center, 1996 & 1997
	13			University of Houston, Law Center, 1996 & 1997
	14			University of Houston, Law Foundation, Advisory Board, 1996
	15			University of Houston, Law Foundation, LCG Associates, 1996 & 1997
	16			University of Houston, Reports, 1996
	17			Women for the Advancement of Hispanic Families, 1996
			Social Non-Profit Organizations and Human Welfare Organizations
Box	Folder
8	1			American Diabetes Association, 1996: Kiss-a-Pig, 1997
	2			Boy Scouts of America: Brochures, 1996; Correspondence, 1997
	3			Child Advocates, 1996-1997
	4			Hermann, George H., Society, 1996 & 1997
	5			Houston Endowment Foundation Report, 1991-1993
	6			March of Dimes, Birth Defects, 1996 & 1997
	7			Solicitations, Cash, Volunteer, 1995 & 1996
	8			United Way, Board of Trustees Meeting, 13 December 1994
	9			United Way, Public Policy Committee, Mixed Materials, 1995, 1996, 1997
	10			United Way, Board of Trustees, Retreat Information, 1996
	11			United Way, Board of Trustees Meeting, 18 June 1996
	12			United Way, Nominating Committee, 1996
	13			United Way, Board of Trustees Meeting, 20 Aug 1996; Membership, 1995-1996
	14			United Way: Memos, Minutes, Correspondence, Newsletters, 1996-1997
	15			United Way: Research, Various Materials, 1996-1997
	16			United Way, Texas Public Policy Legislation, 1997
	17			United Way, Board of Trustees, Meetings, 1997; Members, 1998
	18			YMCA, Financial Statements of 1995, Agenda of 1996
	19			YMCA, Correspondence; Fire, Children, 1996; Auction Catalog, n.d.
	20			YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1996, January & March
	21			YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1996, May & July
	22			YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1997, January
	23			YMCA, Board of Directors, Agendas, 1997, May & July
	24			YMCA, Board of Directors, Meeting Minutes, 25 March 1997
	25			YMCA, Correspondence, 1996, 1997
	26			YMCA, Partners of Youth Campaign, 1996 & 1997

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Event Registers
	Appointment calendars, message logs, personal correspondence.
Box	Folder
9	1	Appointment Book, 1992
	2	Appointment Books, 1993 & 1994
	3	Appointment Books, 1995 & 1996
	4	Correspondence, Invitations, 1994
	5	Correspondence, Greeting Cards, 1994-1996; Negatives, Unidentified, n.d.
	6	Correspondence, Christmas Cards, 1997
	7	Correspondence, Solicitations & Contributions, 1998
	8	Message Logs, 1993

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