A Guide to the Frank Lombardino Papers, 1967-1978

Biographical Note

Frank Lombardino (1929-1992), conservative Democrat and the self-proclaimed “father of the University of Texas at San Antonio,” served in the Texas State House of Representatives from 1967-1975 and in the Texas State Senate from 1975-1979.

The Long Island, NY, native first came to Texas in 1945 when he was stationed at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls while serving in the Army Air Force. Later, he was transferred to Gary AFB near San Marcos. After his military service, he worked for the San Antonio Police Department as a patrolman and later as a detective.

Lombardino was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1966, serving District 26 (north and west Bexar County). As a legislator, Lombardino is best known for supporting legislation with firemen and policemen as a special interest group, initiating the legislation that led to the creation of the San Antonio State School (a facility for the mentally retarded) and establishing the University of Texas at San Antonio. When Governor Preston Smith signed the bill that made UTSA an official institution, he did so using Lombardino’s back as a platform (June 5, 1969).

Lombardino lost the race for Senator in 1978 and returned to the private sector. He became a successful San Antonio businessman, owning and managing the San Antonio Creditors’ Association, Austin Creditors’ Association and Checkstop. He passed away on September 23, 2004, after suffering an apparent heart attack.

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Scope and Contents

House and Senate bills supported or initiated by, or of interest to, Frank Lombardino are at the core of this collection. The bills are in many forms (engrossed, enrolled, etc.) and constitute the largest portion of this collection. Some folders contain only copies of bills or other legislative materials, but some folders include relevant non-legislative materials, such as correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, reports, magazine articles, and other printed materials. Most abundant are materials pertaining to various police- and/or firefighter- related legislation, education, and “women’s rights” (anti-feminist legislation).

While the 60th through the 65th Legislative Sessions are represented among the papers, the majority of the materials are from the 64th and 65th Legislative Sessions. The latter includes a sub-series on a Sick Leave Bill for police and firemen, and materials from the 65th Special Called Legislative Session.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

This collection is housed at UTSA's Main Campus and must be accessed via the John Peace Library Special Collections reading room. To request access, please use the Collections Request Form.

Usage Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Frank Lombardino Papers must be obtained from University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.

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Related Material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Frank Lombardino Papers, 1967-1978, MS 122, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Information

Materials transferred to University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections, July 2002 (Acc. 2002-37).

Processing Information

Processed by Traci JoLeigh Drummond, March 2004.

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 Note to Researchers 

Materials related to the establishment of the University of Texas at San Antonio can be found in the first three folders of Box 1. Folder one contains a copy of the House Journal for the 61st Legislative Session that mentioned the HB No. 42, folder two contains a copy of HB No. 42, from the 61st Legislative Session, and folder three contains a copy of a letter to Governor Preston Smith regarding the transfer of land to UTSA (dated 1970).

Common Abbreviations:

CSSB - Committee Substitute Senate Bill; CCSJR - Committee Substitute Senate Joint Resolution; HB - House Bill; HCR - House Concurrent Resolution; HJR - House Joint Resolution; HSR - House Simple Resolution; SB - Senate Bill; SCR - Senate Concurrent Bill; SJR - Senate Joint Resolution; SR - Senate Resolution

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Detailed Description of the Papers

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