1975-1992 (Congressional Terms: 94-102)
Document Cases: RJL 6/1-3
These files follow the session dates of Congress. The files are divided per every two Congresses and arranged in chronological order and Alpha order by sub-topic.
During his service as a United States Congressman from 1974-1992, Robert Lagomarsino acted as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and Vice Chairman for the National Parks on the National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee. The majority of the files contain congressional bills, correspondence, hearing testimonies, and special reports regarding the establishment of the Channel Island National Park, the Dick Smith Wilderness Area, and the Los Padres National Forest.
Of special interest may be the file regarding the Chumash Native American dispute re: historical ownership of Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands. The complaint alleged that the Santa Barbara Islands were not included in the territory given by Mexico to the United States under the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Another issue discussed in the files is estate taxation for landowners whose property is being acquired by the federal government for a conservation purpose, i.e., a national park, historic trial or wilderness area. The Gherini Ranch on Santa Cruz Island found itself in such a position during the Channel Islands transfer. Congressman Lagomarsino addressed the "land-rich" but "cash-poor" dilemma with fellow congressman and urged a bill providing tax relief in cases where estate taxes become due during a transfer of property.
For more information about the Robert J. Lagomarsino Collection Federal papers, please contact University Archivist, Evelyn Taylor.