Commencement
activities to include honorary doctorate for Matsui
More
than 4,300 students are eligible to cross the stage during seven ceremonies
Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20 at Hornet Stadium and the Outdoor
Theatre. Highlights include the granting of an honorary doctorate to
the late Robert Matsui and the awarding of the President’s Medallion
to one of the Dean’s Award recipients.
This
week’s commencement ceremonies at Sacramento State will honor a friend
of both the University and the Sacramento Region.
The late Congressman
Robert Matsui will be recognized with an honorary doctorate from the California
State University system during the College of Business Administration ceremony
at noon, Saturday, May 20 at Hornet Stadium. His widow, U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui
(D-Sacramento), will accept the award.
More than 4,300
students are eligible to cross the stage during seven ceremonies Friday and
Saturday, May 19 and 20. Ceremonies will be held at Hornet Stadium and the Outdoor
Theatre. During one ceremony, President Alexander Gonzalez will award the President’s
Medallion to one of seven students who received Dean’s Awards early in
the month. A complete list of commencement ceremonies follows.
Robert Matsui spent
26 years representing the Sacramento area until his death in January 2005.
Matsui was widely
recognized for his decency and civility as a member of Congress. He was also
known for his understanding of complex national issues including social security,
trade and health care. In 1988, he helped guide the landmark Civil Liberties
Act of 1988 through Congress. The act led to a formal apology and compensation
from the U.S. government to the Americans of Japanese ancestry who had been
interned during World War II. As an infant, Matsui and his family were moved
from Sacramento to the Tule Lake Internment Camp.
As a member of
Congress, Matsui advocated for funds to expand Sacramento’s light rail
system, build a new federal courthouse and improve flood protection. In one
of his last acts as congressman, he secured $950,000 in federal appropriations
for the planned Science and Space Center at Sacramento State, a figure that
has now grown to $1.5 million through the efforts of his wife, Doris.
Matsui’s
service to the region and the nation was recognized with numerous awards. In
2001 he received the Joe Serna Jr. Unity Award from the Capitol Unity Council.
The Child Welfare League of America twice named him Congressional Advocate of
the Year. The Anti-Defamation League gave him its Lifetime Achievement Award
and he was also recognized by national transit and small business organizations.
Before he became
a congressman Matsui served as vice mayor of Sacramento and headed a Sacramento
law practice. In 2005, Doris Matsui was elected to complete his term.
