State Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg '84 to Give Commencement Address
State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg '84, one of California's most powerful, influential, and effective legislators, will deliver the commencement address at the 2009 UC Davis School of Law Commencement Ceremony. The event will take place on May 16 beginning at 10:30 am in the ARC Pavilion on the UC Davis campus.
Since graduating from King Hall, Steinberg has worked as an employee rights attorney with the California State Employees Association and an administrative law judge and mediator, then served a Sacramento City Councilmember and State Assembly member before moving on to the Senate in 2006. He became Senate leader in August 2008.
Throughout his legislative career, Steinberg has been a leading voice on issues of mental health and environmental policy, most recently winning national recognition for his efforts in putting into place state land-use policies that support reduced greenhouse gas emissions. He has been named Legislator of the Year by organizations including the California School Board Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and Californians for Disability Rights, and has received awards including the Public Service Award from the California School Employees Association and the California Journal's Minnie Award, which recognized him for "conduct, an outlook, and demeanor that exemplifies the best kind of public service."