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Papers of Gabriel Cazares, 1930-2000

 

Summary

Creator:
Cazares, Gabriel
Abstract:
Collection that documents former Clearwater Mayor Gabriel Cazares's public service as a member of the Florida State Commission on Hispanic Affairs and his leadership on Hispanic issues.
Extent:
14 boxes The contents occupy fourteen document boxes and one Princeton file (approximately 6.50 linear feet).
6.5 Linear Feet
Language:
English Spanish; Castilian
Preferred citation:

Papers of Gabriel Cazares, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL.

Background

Scope and content:

Items fall within five distinct series: Biographical Files, Civil Rights, Hispanic Affairs, Farm Workers and Migrant Labor, and Clipping and Research Files. The largest series, Hispanic Affairs, includes information about the Florida State Commission on Hispanic Affairs and general files that document Hispanic issues in Florida. Materials include correspondence, agendas, meeting minutes, clippings, and government documents from 1930s through 1990s. Collection represents the diverse voices of Florida's Hispanic community, as well as Cazares's many creative labors

Biographical / historical:

Texas native Gabriel Cazares was born on 31 January 1920. He enlisted in the California National Guard in 1938, and entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. He served in the European theatre of operations during the Second World War, and later participated in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. A graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, Cazares retired from active duty in the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1966 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received the Bronze Star Medal in 1951, two USAF Commendation Medals, and a USAF Commendation Ribbon. Cazares attended Los Angeles City College and Fresno State College before completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at Texas Christian University. Mr. Cazares's public and community leadership activities include his service as Mayor of Clearwater (1975-1978) and as a Pinellas County Commissioner (1980-1984). He participated in many government advisory committees and boards, including: the Bi-Racial Advisory Committee of the Pinellas County School Board, Educational Standards Commission of the Florida Department of Education, Florida State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Association, and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. His work with community and political organizations includes service as a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), president of the Clearwater Free Clinic, chair of the Pinellas County Democratic Executive Committee, a Golden Heritage life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and charter president of the Northern Pinellas Democratic Club. "Gabe" and his wife, Velma Cazares, continued their commitment to social causes and community service long after his retirement from public office. As of 2003, they resided in Clearwater, Florida.

Acquisition information:
In September 2003, Gabriel Cazares donated personal archives related to his public service.

Access and use

Restrictions:

None.

Terms of access:

None. The contents of the collection may be subject to copyright. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.

Preferred citation:

Papers of Gabriel Cazares, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL.

Location of this collection:
140 7th Avenue South
St. Petersburg
FL
33701
USA