SACRAMENTO — A spirited contingent of 40 volunteer faculty, staff, students and friends descended on the State Capitol Tuesday, UC Day, to tell 33 Los Angeles area state legislators and their representatives how UCLA has impacted their personal lives and careers and to gain their support for important issues to UCLA and UC. 
The Westwood delegation, led by UCLA Government and Community Relations (GCR) and joined by UCLA volunteers from the Bay Area, met up with more than 200 UC alumni and friends from around the state for UC Day, a biennial advocacy event for higher education and a chance for delegates to ask for legislators' support for Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2013-14 budget — which includes a 5 percent increase for UC over the current year’s funding — and for full funding of the Cal Grant program.
UCLA delegates (from left) Philip Crabbe and Ashley Long meet with Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, a UCLA alumnus. Standing next to him is UCLA delegate Belem Lamas.
"Each delegate had a unique story to tell, emphasizing how UCLA has been a major influence in their lives and professional careers," said Ramona Cortes Garza, GCR’s executive director of state relations. "They were a diverse group of true Bruins, very willing and eager to represent our campus and have the opportunity to interact with legislators. Many appreciated the information and updates we gave them about our campus so that they could prepare for these meetings."
Delegates formed groups and, throughout the day, talked to legislators about key issues facing UCLA and UC and highlighted the many ways their legislative districts, the greater Los Angeles region and state benefit from UCLA research, education and service. They asked for legislators’ help in ensuring that future funding decisions preserve and leverage UC’s goal to aid in the state’s economic recovery through its research and to provide a world-class education to students so that they can compete in a global economy.
The governor will introduce a revised budget in May. The state constitution requires lawmakers to approve a final budget by June 15.
At a UC-wide luncheon, UC President Mark Yudof urged university advocates to stand up for quality higher education. "It's easy to cut costs if you don't care about quality," he said. "We always have to keep our eyes on the quality of the education we provide."
He thanked advocates for supporting UC and for reminding legislators of the value UC research and education bring to the state. "We need to be the engine of opportunity for California," he said. 
Yudof also presented the first UC Public Service Award to E. Dotson Wilson, chief clerk and parliamentarian of the California State Assembly and a UCLA alumnus, honoring him for his 30-plus years of public service.
E. Dotson Wilson, chief clerk of the California Assembly and a UCLA alum, became the first recipient of the UC Public Service Award. Celebrating with him, his fellow Bruins (above) presented him with a Bruin of his own.
Wilson, who grew up in the East Bay in Northern California, attended UCLA on an intercollegiate track scholarship and majored in political science. He graduated from UCLA in 1976 and UC Hastings College of the Law in 1979.
As chief legislative officer for the Assembly members, he is one of three non-member officers elected by Assembly members. He manages a staff of 30 who are responsible for administering key tasks, including processing several thousand bills and tracking more than 5,000 votes in a two-year session.
In accepting the award, Wilson talked about creating opportunity and the importance of mentoring and providing internships. 
"Everyone owes a debt to those who came before," he said. "And the best way to repay that debt is to help those who come after you."
UCLA advocate Mary Keipp stands with Assemblymember Steven Bradford.
"It's important to come here to advocate," said UC Davis student Annemarie Stone, who took time away from finals week to attend the event. "If we don't come, who will?"
"The Silicon Valley isn't here because of the draw of some magnetic force," said Delaine Eastin, former state superintendent of public instruction and a UC Davis alumna. "It's here because of the draw of brain power and an educated workforce."
Eastin said she was disappointed that public education experienced such steep state budget cuts over the last few years, but was hopeful to see education starting to come back as a priority. When students and alumni talk to their elected officials about the effects of education on their lives, she said, they put a human face on funding issues.
"It's important to let our representatives know that UC inspires students to want to give back and make a difference," said UCLA student Mathew Rosenstein, co-leader of the UCLA chapter of Circle of Friends, a student organization that works with special needs students.
