Selected Records on the 1992 Los Angeles Riots

The materials in FOIA 2005-0697-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. 2005-0697-F 2 FOIA 2005-0697-F contains multiple types of documents from the Bush Presidential Records addressing the Los Angeles riots of 1992 which are maintained by individual staff members and offices. These Staff and Office Files are primarily held in the White House Offices of Cabinet Affairs and Policy Development. Jay Lefkowitz served as Director of Cabinet Affairs and Deputy Executive Secretary to the Domestic Policy Council. As a result, his files held a large portion of the documents related to the Los Angeles riots. Bobby Charles, Office of Policy Development, kept most of the newspaper articles and news releases because he served as the principal contact for matters pertaining to the Los Angeles Presidential Task Force. There are letters, memos, fact sheets, news releases, talking points, faxes, newspaper clippings, fact sheets, and publications present in this FOIA. Correspondence topics include complaints regarding the Rodney King trial verdict, reports to President Bush from the co-chairmen of the Presidential Task Force on Los Angeles Recovery, on-the-ground situation reports for administration officials, urban riot action plans, and memos between staffers regarding President Bush's visit to Los Angeles to tour riot-stricken areas and a Disaster Application Center (DAC), administration officials and staffers discussing interviews of victims and demolition and debris removal, and riot recovery programs such as "˜Weed and Seed'. Press releases address accomplishments by the Presidential Task Force on Los Angeles Recovery including establishment, operations, locations, and status of DACS and Neighborhood Opportunity Centers; eligibility, availability, and types of federal relief assistance; and dollars spent on federal aid programs. Other news releases cover presidential remarks about the riots including those made to the victims and community leaders, a proclamation for rioters to cease their acts of violence, and initiation of the "˜Weed and Seed' anti-crime initiative and other urban renewal action initiatives. President and Mrs. Bush's reactions to the rioting, the federal response to damage caused by the riots, and President Bush's visit to Los Angeles are addressed by the talking points in these holdings. Most of the faxes are transcriptions of teleconference meetings among members of the Presidential Task Force on Los Angeles Recovery and situation reports concerning the riot-stricken areas. Additionally, the head of the task force transmitted newspaper clippings so staffers would have current newspaper reports of recovery efforts. Remaining faxes are those from FEMA representatives to staffers on activities at the different DACs , action plans, summaries of key action areas related to rebuilding, cost summaries of federal aid disbursed to riot-stricken areas, efforts made, types of aid supplied, details about individuals who were helped, consumer warnings against unscrupulous home repair contractors, and a summary proposal of a domestic Peace Corps to provide opportunities for Americans to serve their country on projects of significant social value. Fact sheets cover similar items addressed by the faxes and press releases. Publications in this collection were assembled and distributed by the Eisenhower Foundation and focused on inner-city issues such as youth programs and community reconstruction. Other publications are Your Family Disaster Plan, and a reprint of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Read less