9 linear feet, 22 containers

The material in this collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, briefing papers, legal documents, resumes, invitations, news clippings, and printed material. The material relates to Joseph Aragon’s position as Special Assistant to the President regarding the Hispanic community, the Community Services Administration (CSA), the Panama Canal Treaties, and the anti-inflation program.

Joseph W. Aragon (1941- )

Joseph W. Aragon was born August 25, 1941 in Douglas, Arizona. He received a B.A. in Political Science at UCLA in 1966. In 1971, he received a J.D. degree from the University of Southern California and was admitted to the California Bar and joined the firm of Loeb and Loeb in Los Angeles. He was Deputy Field Director for the McGovern-Shriver presidential campaign from 1971-1972. In addition, he was Associate Director of the Council of Legal Education formed by the American Bar Association in Washington, D.C.

In 1973, he served as an aide to Democratic National Committee Chairman, Robert Strauss. In 1974, he served as the Assistant Manager of the New York City Democratic Presidential Nominating Convention and National Director of voter registration from 1974-1977. In 1976, he was appointed Special Assistant to the President. He also served as acting Director of the Community Services Administration until March 1977.

He served on the anti-inflation and pro-Panama Canal treaties task forces with Strauss from 1977-1978. In December 1978, he submitted his resignation. In January 1979, he concluded his White House service and returned to California.

Textual

Arrangement Note: General information on issues handled by the office is concentrated in the subject files series. The Community Services Administration, Panama Canal, and the inflation files series are more specific and derived from Aragon’s varied duties. Since Aragon’s different roles overlapped chronologically, the researcher is advised to consult the subject files series for correspondence under the relevant dates.

The records of Joseph Aragon, Assistant to the President are divided into four series:

Series I: Joseph Aragon’s Subject Files - NAID 154839

This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, personnel material, and reports. This material relates to Aragon’s role as Assistant to the President and ombudsman to the Hispanic community, and the White House. Other topics include Aragon’s work on government reorganization, immigration, equal employment, and civil service reform. Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series II: Joseph Aragon’s Community Services Administration (CSA) Files - NAID 154964

This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, publications, and clippings related to his evaluation of the CSA. Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series III: Joseph Aragon’s Panama Canal Files - NAID 154965

This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, and clippings. The material relates to endorsements and public opinions concerning the Panama Canal Treaty. Arranged alphabetically by folder title

Series IV: Joseph Aragon’s Inflation Files - NAID 155012

This series was opened in December 1994. This series consists of memoranda, briefing material, notes, and reports. Topics include inflation and tax reform. Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

 

Restrictions on Access:

These papers contain documents restricted in accordance with applicable executive order(s), which governs National Security policies, applicable statutes/agency restrictions, and material which has been closed in accordance with the donor’s deed of gift.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction:

Copyright interest in these papers has been donated to the United States Government. Some of the records may be subject to copyright restrictions (i.e. newspapers, publications, etc.). Researchers should contact the publisher for further information.

The Records of Joseph Aragon, Assistant to the President are held at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, 441 John Lewis Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307

Inflation

Zero-base budgeting

Immigration

Hispanics

Panama Canal treaties 

Illegal aliens

Starr, Joyce

Schafly, Phyllis

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

National Council on the Arts

Community Services Administration (CSA)

Committee of Americans for the Canal Treaties (COACT)

1977-1981

Robert Strauss Staff Files (for anti-inflation);

White House Central Files Subject File -

    Federal Government Organizations 107 (Community Services Administration)

Landon Butler

Chief of Staff Files

Exit interview Vivian Lichtman

Joyce Starr

Joseph Aragon’s Subject Files

 

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Container 4

 

Container 5

 

Container 6

 

Container 7

 

Container 8 

 

Container 9

 

Container 10

 

Container 11

 

Container 12

 

Joseph Aragon’s Community Services Administration Files

 

Container 13

 

Container 14

 

Container 15

 

Container 16

 

Joseph Aragon’s Panama Canal Files

 

Container 17

 

Container 18

 

Container 19

 

Container 20

 

Joseph Aragon’s Inflation Files

 

Container 21

 

 

 

 

Preferred citation: [Type of Document], [Names of Sender and Recipient or Title of Document], [Date], [Collection Title], [Series Title], [Folder Title], [Container number], Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.

Acquisition information: These historical materials were received under provisions of the instrument of gift that Jimmy Carter signed January 31, 1981.

Processing information: The collection was opened in December 1994.