May 10, 2006
Sacramento State to award
Matsui
posthumous honorary doctorate
Commencement
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Next 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, both on the University campus. 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 is attached.
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 $550,000
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.
More information on commencement is available at www.csus.edu/commence. Media
assistance is available by contacting the Sacramento State public affairs office
at (916) 278-6156.
Sacramento State Spring Commencement schedule
Friday, May 19
College of Arts and Letters, 12:30 p.m., Hornet Stadium
College of Engineering and Computer Science, 5 p.m., Outdoor Theatre
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, 7 p.m., Hornet Stadium
Saturday, May 20
College of Health and Human Services, 8 a.m., Hornet Stadium
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, 10 a.m., Outdoor Theatre
College of Business Administration, noon, Hornet Stadium
College of Education, 6 p.m., Hornet Stadium
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California
State University, Sacramento Public Affairs
6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819-6026 (916) 278-6156 infodesk@csus.edu |