For the past five years, the Alumni Associations of the University of California have recognized California legislators with its "Legislator of the Year Awards." The awards honor outstanding legislators who have helped shape the future of higher education in California.

The recipients of the 2002 awards are Senator Bob Margett and Assemblymember Joe Simitian.

Throughout his years of service in both houses of the California legislature, Senator Margett has provided the University with valuable advice and assistance on a variety of issues. He recognizes the importance of university-based research as an economic catalyst for the State of California and has assumed a leadership role on both sides of the aisle in support of the four California Institutes for Science and Innovation housed at University of California campuses. As a member of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and member of the Budget Subcommittee 1 (Education), Senator Margett has been a steadfast and persuasive supporter of the UC systemwide budget. Senator Margett's commitment to the education community encompasses K-12 and the state's higher education system, as he supports incentives to attract, train, and retain teachers, improve parental involvement in the classroom, and help parents save for their children's college education.

Assembly Member Simitian has been a champion of the University of California and its issues as Chairman of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Higher Education. He has been thorough and judicious in his support of higher education and UC priorities such as the California Institutes for Science and Innovation, Summer Sessions, UC Merced, and the Partnership Agreement. He also has been a strong advocate of the UC Center in the Silicon Valley (UCSC) and a leader in the promotion of the CITRIS Institute at UC Berkeley.