oip_mss241.xml Guide to the Pete T. Cenarrusa Secretary of State Papers Cenarrusa (Pete T.) Secretary of State Papers Mary Carter-Hepworth Boise State University Special Collections and Archives 2011; updated 2023
Albertsons Library, Boise State University 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725 archives@boisestate.edu https://www.boisestate.edu/archives/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-01-16. Description is written in: English, Latin script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. Boise State University Special Collections and Archives Pete T. Cenarrusa Secretary of State Papers MSS 241 26 linear feet 27 boxes 1964-2008 The Pete T. Cenarrusa Secretary of State Papers contains correspondence, appointment books, articles, official state documents, and other materials related to his position as Idaho Secretary of State. English .

Pete Cenarrusa was born Carey, Idaho, on December 16, 1917. His parents, Jose (Joe) Marie Zenarruzabeitia and Ramona Gardoqui, were immigrants from the Basque Country. They met and were married in Shoshone, Idaho, and established a successful sheep business based in Carey. They had five children, all of whom were raised speaking Basque, later learning English in public school. Upon graduation from high school, Pete Cenarrusa attended to the University of Idaho, where he was a member of the University's boxing team. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1940 and then moved to Cambridge, Idaho where he taught agricultural sciences and coached various sports. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Pete enlisted in the Navy, eventually becoming a Marine naval aviator and training other enlistees during World War II. He retired from the reserves as a major in 1963.

After the war Cenarrusa returned to his native south central Idaho and taught farming methods throughout Blaine County. During this time he was also a key figure in the building of Carey's airport, which was dedicated by President Truman, who happened to be in Idaho at the time. Cenarrusa married Freda Coates in October 1947. They had one son, Joe. In 1949 he was persuaded to run for the Idaho House of Representatives, and won in 1950 running on the Republican ticket. While working as a legislator, Cenarrusa also helped operate his family's sheep business in Carey. He was elected to his seat in the House for nine consecutive terms, and served as Speaker of the House from 1963-1967. In 1967, Governor Samuelson nominated Cenarrusa to finish the term of Secretary of State Edison Deal, who had died in office. Then Cenarrusa ran for and successfully won the position in the general election in 1970. He was reelected seven times, retiring in 2002. Among his many duties as Secretary of State, Cenarrusa served as a member of the State Land Board and was chief elections officer for the state of Idaho. Cenarrusa's fifty-two years of service as legislator and Secretary of State makes him one of the longest-serving public officials in the United States.

Throughout his life Pete Cenarrusa was dedicated to promoting the Basque cause and helping Basque communities and immigrants. In 1970 he was influential in getting Generalissimo Francisco Franco to commute the death sentences of 16 Basque citizens accused of murdering a Spanish government official. Cenarrusa initiated three memorials in the Idaho State Legislature in support of Basque rights and autonomy, the first in 1972, with two others following in 2002 and 2006. Cenarrusa also worked to promote an end to all political violence within the Basque Country, as well as Basque education, helping in the establishment ikastolas, Basque preschools. In 2001, the Sabino Arana Foundation in the Basque Country honored Cenarrusa as a "Basque of the World."

Cenarrusa has promoted Basque culture within his home state, contributing both time and money to the various institutions, such as the Basque Museum and Cultural Center in Boise. In 2005, Cenarrusa formed the Cenarrusa Center for Basque Studies (now the Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Culture). The Center has a program at Boise State University, where students can earn a Basque Studies minor. Pete Cenarrusa continues to work as a spokesperson for the Basque people and to end violence within the Basque Country.

Collection is available for research.

Donated by Pete Cenarrusa in 2008.

[item description], Pete T. Cenarrusa Secretary of State Papers, Box [number] Folder [number], Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.

See also: Pete T. Cenarrusa Papers

The Pete T. Cenarrusa Secretary of State Papers contains correspondence, appointment books, articles, official state documents, and other materials related to his position as Idaho Secretary of State. The collection is arranged into six series: Series 1, Office of the Secretary of State; Series 2, Board of Examiners; Series 3, Parole Board; Series 4, Elections Officer; Series 5, Land Board; and Series 6, National Association of Secretaries of State and Other Organizations.

 Boise (Idaho) Elections Idaho--Politics and government Idaho. Legislature Legislators Political Campaigns Public lands Boise local history Political Campaigns Boise Idaho Politics and Politicians Politicians Office of the Secretary of State 1 Abandoned Property 1968 1 1 Affirmative Action 1 2 Agricultural Symposium 1978 1 3 Airports, Blaine County, Idaho 1948-1999 1 4 Albion College 1969 1 5 Alturus County History 1 6 Andrus vs. Cenarrusa 1976-1978 1 7 Central District Health Department/Castle Wood Products 1996-1997 1 8 Claude Dallas 1994 1 9 Fort Boise Treaty Dispute 1 10 Idaho Constitutional Amendment, Voter Qualifications 1982 1 11 Idaho's Name and Names 2001 1 12 Idaho State Centennial Celebration 1990 1 13-14 National Parent's Day Awards 1996 1 15 Real Property Rights 1997 1 16 Sales Tax 1998-2003 1 17-19 September 11, 2001 Remembrance 2001-2002 1 20 Table Rock Cross 2001-2002 1 21 United States Flag 1995-2000 1 22 Job Description/Duties 1967-1990s 1 23 Agency Strategic Plan 1995-1998 1 24-26 Annual Report 1966-1976 1 27-30 Audit Report 1981, 1989, 1991 1 32-33 Official Stationery 1 35 Office Budget 1994-1999 1 36 Office Correspondence, Incoming 1995-2002 1 37 Office Procedure Manual 1967, 1971 1 38 Office Reorganization 1967 1 39 Office Cash Receipts Procedures 1974 1 40 Office Organization 1970s 1 41 Office Planning Consultant Team Report 1976 1 42 Office Exit Conference 1 43 Staff: Internal Investigation [CLOSED} 1 44 Corporate Documents 1967-1999 1 45-46 Corporate Documents, Staff, Margaret Lawrence [CLOSED] 1 48 Idaho Code 1976-2001 1 49-52 Legislative Affairs, Salaries 1996 1 53 Notary Public 1974 1 54 Trademarks 1 55 Correspondence, Everett Wohlers 1987-1997 2 1-6 Appointment Books 1970-2002 3 Office/Phone Notes [CLOSED] 4 Acting Governor 1967 5 1 Aeronautics 1967-1975 5 2 Administration 1976-2000 5 3-4 Agriculture 1967-1999 5 5-6 Attorney General 1967-1984, 1995-1999 6 7-10 Auditor 1981-1984 5 11 Endowment Fund Investments Board 2001-2002 5 12 Controller 1999 5 13 Executive Reorganization Act 1970s 5 14 Fish and Game 1967, 1995-1999 5 15 Governor's Office, Don Samuelson 1967-1972 5 16 Governor's Office, Cecil D. Andrus 1971-1994 5 17 Governor's Office, John Evans 1978-1984 5 18 Governor's Office, Phil Batt 1994-1997 5 19 Governor's Office, Dirk Kempthorne 1999-2003 5 20 Human Rights Commission 1973-1998 5 21 Human Rights Commission, Holocaust Remembrance 1997 5 22 Idaho Commission on the Arts 1983, 1993 5 23 Legislature 1994-1995 5 24 Legislative Services 1967-2008 5 25 Public Utilities Commission 1969 5 26 Public Works 1966-1973 5 27 Superintendent of Public Instruction 1998 5 28 Supreme Court 1971, 1999 5 29 Tax Commission 1969 5 30 Transportation 1967-1975 5 31 Treasurer 1988 5 32 White House Correspondence 1971-1974, 1981-1992 5 33-34 Agriculture Department; Bighorn Sheep Disease Study 1984-1994 5 35-36 Agricultural Workers 1993 5 37 Alien Labor Regulations 1977 5 38 Congressional Correspondence 1967-2000 5 39-44 Congressman George Hansen, Sentencing Statement 1984 5 45 Interior Department 1983 5 46 Livestock Exports 1989 5 47 Wool Tariffs 1999 5 48 Secretaries of States, Correspondence 1967-2001 5 49 Diplomatic Correspondence 1967-2001 5 50 General Correspondence 1964-1972 6 1-17 General Correspondence 1972-1977 7 1-15 General Correspondence 1977-1994 8 1-19 General Correspondence 1995-2002 9 1-9 News Clippings 1959, 1969-1993 9 10-19 News Clippings 1993-2002 10 1-20 Constituent Support Files [CLOSED] 11 1-24 Immigration and Naturalization Files [CLOSED] 11 25-36 Mexico Agricultural Trade Mission 1992 12 1 China 1989-1990 12 2-4 Chinese Delegation Visit to Idaho 1996 12 5 Taiwan 1978, 1983 12 6-7 State Board of Examiners 2 Minutes and Agendas 1976, 1993-2002 13 1-14 Appropriations 1976, 1985 13 15 Governor's Emergency Fund Proclamation 1976 13 16 Depredation Claims 1989 13 17 Quality Assurance Laboratory Authorization 1991 13 18 Travel Policies 1995-1996 13 19 State Parole Board 3 Correspondence 1999-2000 13 20 Legislation and Rules 1999-2000 13 21 Press Clippings 1992-2001 13 23 Inmate Related Correspondence, Conditions 2000-2001 13 24 Inmate Related Correspondence, Henry W. Smith (Bill) 1995-2002 13 25-27 Inmate Related Correspondence, Dennis Stoddard 1986-2002 13 28 Inmate Related Correspondence [CLOSED] 1970, 1990-2002 14 1-19 Chief Elections Officer 4 Elections 1968-2002 15 1-36 Abstract of Votes 1966 15 37 Election Initiatives 1972, 1994 15 38 Election Laws 1968-1995 15 39 Legislative Support 1970 15 40 Municipal 1990s 15 41 Summaries 1990-2002 15 42 Kids Voting 1995 15 43 National Student/Parent Mock Election 1998 15 44 National Voter Registration Act 1994 15 45 Presidential Primary Election 1992-1999 15 46 Project Vote Smart 1995 15 47 Reapportionment 1970, 1984-2001 15 48-50 "Sunshine" Committees 1975 15 51 Mileck vs. Cenarrusa 1967 16 1 Rankin vs. Cenarrusa 1967, 1994 16 2 American Independent Party vs. Cenarrusa 1968, 1970 16 3 Dredge Mining Control-Yes!, Inc. vs. Cenarrusa 1968 16 4 Frost vs. Cenarrusa 1968 16 5 Smith vs. Cenarrusa 1970 16 6 Cenarrusa vs. Peterson 1971-1974 16 7 West vs. Cenarrusa 1973-1974 16 8 Keithly et. al. vs. Cenarrusa 1974 16 9 LeRoy, et. al. vs. Cenarrusa 1978-1979 16 10 Associated Taxpayers of Idaho vs. Cenarrusa 1986 16 11 Miller vs. Cenarrusa 1991 16 12 Election Complaint, David H. LeRoy 1986 16 13 Ketchum City Election 1992-1993 16 14 Young vs. Cenarrusa, et. al. 1996 16 15 Simpson vs. Cenarrusa 1999 16 16 Rudeen vs. Cenarrusa, et. al. 2001 16 17 Gibbons vs. Cenarrusa 2002 16 18 Land Board 5 Meetings 1968, 1985-1998 16 19-56 Meetings 1999 17 1-25 Meetings 1999-2002 18 1-22 Press Clippings 1971-2001 18 23-30 Annual Reports 1992, 1994, 1999, 2006 18 31-34 Budget 1998 18 35 Strategic Plan 1999-2002 18 36-38 Idaho's Endowment Lands 19 1 Wildlife Procedures Manual 1992 19 2 Idaho Department of Lands, Summary of Feedback Sessions 2001 19 3 Reclamation Awards 1999 19 4 Federal Lands Task Force 1995-2001 19 5-11 Land Exchange 1984-2000 19 5-24 Lieu Land Subcommittee 1972-1986 19 25 Submerged Lands Committee 1996 19 26 Correspondence 1967-2002 19 27-35 Airports, Blaine County 1981 19 36 Auger Falls 1996 19 37 Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Land Dispute 1994-2000 19 38 Craters of the Moon 1989, 2000 19 39 Endangered Species Act 1995, 2001 20 1 Fish Creek Reservoir Company 1971, 2001-2002 20 2 Float Homes 1998 20 3 Galloway Dam 1990 20 4 Garden Valley Airport 1995 20 5 Grizzly Bears 1989, 1994 20 6 Hell's Canyon Alliance 1994-1996 20 7 Idaho Forest Practices Act 1975-1976 20 8 Land Exchange: Forest Service Lands 1996 20 9 Lease: Falconberry Ranch 1995 20 10 Lease: Kristy Pigeon Equestrian Center 1995-1996 20 11 Lease: Luther Squires 1988-1993 20 12 Leases: Mining 1971, 1990 20 13 Leases: Oil and Gas 1983 20 14 Lemhi County Land Use Plan 1993 20 15 Lemhi National Forest, Historical Documents 1904-1906 20 16 Lyman Creek Allotment Report 1990-1992 20 17 McCall, Dienhard "80" 1995 20 18 Marjorie Ruth Moon v. State 1976, 1985-1986 20 19 Mining Regulations 1990-1995 20 20 Morningside Heights, Boise 1991-1993 20 21 Navigable Waters Report 20 22 Ohio Gulch Road 2000 20 23 Owyhee Canyonlands Coalition 1989, 1998 20 24 Owyhee County Land Use 1995 20 25 Predatory Animals 1971 20 26 Payette Lakes Land Use Plan 1992 20 27 Priest Lake Erosion 1993-1994 20 28 River Ranch 1986 20 29 Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Judicial Review 1994 20 30 Small Loggers Council 1995 20 31 Snake River Birds of Prey 1989 20 32 Sun Valley Land Sale 1971 20 33 Tablerock Cross 1994-1995 20 34 Timber Sales and Salvage 1969, 1983-1996 20 35 Timber Industry 1994-1999 20 36 Valley Club, Inc., Land Acquisition 1996 20 37 Water Rights, Clippings 1994-1999 20 38 Western Resources Management, Inc. 1999 20 39 Wilderness Inventory Decision 1981 20 40 Federal Lands Task Force: Public Comments 1998 20 41 Cottage Site Fees 1985-2001 21 1-15 Endowment Lands Funds 1988-2002 21 16-22 Bureau of Land Management 1981-2000 22 1-5 Saylor Creek Bombing Range 1988-1999 22 6-9 Public Lands, Rigths-a-Way Access (R.S. 2477) 1990-2002 22 10-23 Valbois, Inc. 1988-1999 23 1-2 WestRock 1988-2002 23 3-22 WestRock 1999-2002 24 1-23 WestRock 2000-2002 25 1-10 Grazing Fees and Leases 1980-1997 25 11-21 Conflict Allocations 1991-2008 25 22-30 Conflict Allocations, Chipmunk Grazing Association 1991-1994 26 1 Conflict Allocation, Committee for Idaho's High Desert 1995 26 2 Conflict Allocations, Golden Marmot Farm 1996 26 3 Conflict Allocations, Herd Creek 1992-1994 26 4-6 Conflict Allocations, Ice House Creek 1996 26 7 Conflict Allocations, San Felipe 1994-1995 26 8 Conflict Allocations, Sheridan/Golden Eagle Ranch 1994-1995 26 9 Idaho Watersheds Projects 1993-1994 26 10-12 Triumph Mine/EPA Cleanup 1982-2002 26 13-16 National Association of Secretaries of State and Other Organizations NASS 1968-2002 27 1-7 Council on Governmental Ethics Laws 1992-1994 27 8 International Association of Corporation Administrators 6 1996 27 9