PASADENA, CA – With the first year of the legislative session behind him, Assemblymember Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) was named “Freshman of the Year” by the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.  Citing his diligence as Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee on behalf of faculty and students, Portantino received the award before the Association’s annual conference in Pasadena.

“I’m deeply honored to have received this award,” said Portantino.  “California’s community colleges play a critical role in our higher education system. Students looking for careers and those on their way to four-year universities are looking to community college in record numbers and those institutions are responding tremendously under very difficult economic times.  It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by FACCC and I look forward to continuing to work with faculty, students, and administrators during my time in office.”

Additionally, the Teamsters Joint Council 42 Political Screening Committee notified Assemblymember Portantino on his selection as “2007 Legislator of the Year.”  Citing his commitment to working families and their issues, Joint Council 42 President Jim Santangelo notified Portantino of his selection.

“I am extremely pleased to receive this award from the Teamsters,” said Portantino.  “The Teamsters have been in the vanguard of bringing working families into the middle class.  As the grandson of Italian immigrants who looked to provide opportunities for their children, I’m honored to have been recognized by the Teamsters.  I commend Joint Council 42 for all the hard work put in to benefit their members, and look forward to working with them in the future on important issues such as health care and education.”

The award will be presented to Assemblymember Portantino on December 7th at the Joint Council’s delegate meeting. Teamsters Joint Council 42 is the parent body to 23 Teamster Local Unions located and representing members in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Guam, Saipan, and Hawaii.

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City.  It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.