The Alumni Associations of the University
of California recently made their
selections for 2008 Legislators of the Year, announcing that state Sen. Jack
Scott (D-Pasadena) and Assemblyman John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) would receive the
honor.

“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.

University officials said Laird, who graduated from UC Santa
Cruz in 1972 and currently serves on the Assembly Committee on Budget and as
vice chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, received the honor for
his commitment to supporting the UC system’s principles of education, public
service, and innovation through his work in Sacramento
and in his local community.

“He’s been really terrific on funding for the UC system and
for enrollment growth,” said Karen French, interim director of UC State
Governmental Relations.

Officials also lauded Scott for his support of the UC system
while serving as chair of the Senate Education Committee and Budget
Subcommittee on Education and former chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee
on Education.