PRESS RELEASE -- Assemblymember Portantino Receives Prestigious Award from California Community Colleges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez

March 5, 2008 (916) 319-2044

 

Assemblymember Portantino Receives Prestigious Award from California Community Colleges

 

 

SACRAMENTO – California Community Colleges named Higher Education Chair Anthony Portantino as a “Friend of California Community Colleges.” Portantino received the award during the fourth annual California Community Colleges Legislative Reception in Sacramento. The Community Colleges recognized Portantino, along with Senator Denise Ducheny and Assemblymember Tom Berryhill with these honors.

 

“Our community colleges play a vital role in keeping public higher education accessible and affordable and I am extremely honored to have received this award last night. As the father of a soon to be college-bound daughter, I have a strong desire to see all our students have the opportunity to seek higher education. Community Colleges play an extremely important role in workforce development and creating access to four year universities and I wish that these tough budgetary times weren’t making that mission more difficult,” commented Portantino.

 

“He has already visited several community college campuses and has developed a keen understanding of community college issues,” remarked Chancellor Woodruff. “Assemblymember Portantino is also currently authoring AB 1409, a concurrent enrollment bill which allows high school students to take community college classes so they can get a head start in college. He has also authored other important legislation providing more financial aid opportunities for our needy college students.”

 

“We appreciate Assemblymember Portantino’s deep commitment to advocating on behalf of the community colleges,” said Chancellor Woodruff. “I want to thank all of the awardees for being such wonderful community college friends and supporters. We appreciate them so much for supporting our 109 community colleges and our 2.6 million students.”

 

The California Community College system is the largest higher educational system in the nation. It is comprised of 72 districts and 109 colleges with more than 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training and basic skills education, prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions and offer opportunities for personal enrichment and lifelong learning. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit www.cccco.edu/.

 

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City. It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.

 

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