This collection is available in whole for research use. In accordance with the Deed of Gift, some items may have been withdrawn from the folders. Most frequently withdrawn material is national security classified material, personal privacy, protection of the President, etc.  

Charles P. Smith received a doctorate from the University of Southern California in 1970. During the 1960s, he served on Ronald Reagan’s gubernatorial staff in California; specifically, he orchestrated an electronic data processing unit to make office/data management files more efficient. After aiding Reagan’s presidential campaign in 1980, Smith served the President in a number of capacities throughout Reagan’s entire administration. Among his positions were Deputy Director of the Office of Planning and Evaluation (1981-1982) and Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Policy Development (1986-1987). Smith also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (1982-1986) where he studied federal housing vouchers for low-income families. Under President Bush, Smith also tackled escalating crime rates and increasing drug use as the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the US Department of Justice (1988-1

Collection Description

The material donated to the Reagan Library pertains to Smith’s government work spanning from his duties under Governor Reagan to those under President Bush. This collection is arranged into four series.

SERIES I: MEMORABILIA AND SPEECHES, 1968-1990 (0.25 l.ft., Box 1)

This series consists primarily of photographs, abstracts from various books Smith has authored, and transcripts of speeches Smith has given over the course of his government service. Several photographs are also included.

SERIES II: SOCIAL REFORM, 1984-1990 (0.25 l.ft., Boxes 1-2)

This series consists of various surveys, reports, and proposals pertaining to social issues under Smith’s tenure. Specifically, the documents focus on drug control and violent crimes, illegal immigration, adoption programs for immigrant children, and welfare reform laws.

SERIES III: ECONOMIC POLICIES, 1984-1990 (0.5 l.ft., Boxes 2-3)

This series contains documents pertaining to various economic issues Smith dealt with during the course of his government work. Specifically, the series contains studies on privatization, urban renewal, housing resource programs, health care, and agriculture.

SERIES IV: ADMINISTRATION SUMMARIES, 1981-1989 (1 l.ft, Boxes 3-4)

This series contains documents pertaining to various summaries of Smith’s duties during his work in the government. Files included in this series are studies of various ‘State of the Union’ addresses, a report of President Reagan’s first one hundred days in office, a biographical index of office holders in the Executive Branch, and various plan dates and yearly summaries.

Last Updated: 09/26/2020 02:07AM

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