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CLA Honors Senator Alpert
Submitted by Mark Smith, Legislative Chair
Former Senator Dede Alpert is the recipient of an Honorary Membership
in the California Library Association and a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of her advocacy on behalf of California Libraries. Alpert received this recognition, along with an award from the Serra Library Cooperative, at a luncheon with several California librarians in Coronado on March 24.
Senator Alpert received the award for her extensive support for library initiatives while in the California State Senate, in particular, her sponsorship and support for legislation that would set aside nearly $1 billion in funding for library construction projects. Legislation creating the first bond fund in the amount of $350 million was co-sponsored by Alpert and approved by voters in 2000. This was the largest one-time appropriation ever for library construction in any state. Last year, Senator Alpert sponsored legislation that would have voters approve a bond of $600 million for public library construction. Not only did the senator sponsor the bill, but she worked hard to ensure that Governor Schwartzenegger sign the bill. That bond will be on the ballot for voters in June 2006.
In receiving her award, Senator Alpert commented that she very much appreciated the Lifetime Achievement Award, but she really valued the honorary membership in the California Library Association because of the important work that librarians do for their communities. Senator Alpert commented that she had taken on some work lately with a lobbying firm, but that she was also enjoying having more time to spend with her grandchildren.
Posted on March 31, 2005 10:29 AM | Permalink