Santa Cruz Sentinel

UC alumni honor Laird as legislator

March 4, 2008

The Alumni Associations of the University of California have selected state Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, and Sen. Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, and the 2008 Legislators of the Year.

The two will be honored today in Sacramento during UC Day festivities, which about 300 alumni and friends are expected to attend.

"Both Sen. Scott and Assemblyman Laird have demonstrated lifelong commitments to higher education and have been true friends of the University of California," UC President Robert C. Dynes said in a statement. "It certainly is fitting that the Alumni Associations recognize their ongoing efforts to make a UC education accessible and affordable for the people of California. Their support for the university will have an impact on many future generations of UC alumni."

Laird, who serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Budget and is vice chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, is being recognized for his ongoing support for UC's mission of education, public service and innovation, particularly in alternative energy research. He will receive the award at a 5 p.m. reception.

A 1972 graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Laird majored in politics and served nine years on the Santa Cruz City Council, including two one-year terms as mayor.

"I remember the first paper I turned  in as a student," Laird said of his UC Santa Cruz days. "The professor wrote on it 'If there is a point here, I'm missing it.' I went from that to writing an honors thesis and to being elected to public office. That's what a UC education did for me."