| SFSU Public Affairs Press ReleasePublished by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Diag Center. |
SAN FRANCISCO, April 26, 2000 ---Cruz M. Bustamante, Lt. Governor of California and the first Latino elected statewide in California in over 120 years, has been selected to give the keynote address at San Francisco State University's commencement. He will speak before an expected audience of approximately 22,000 in Cox Stadium on the University campus. The Saturday ceremonies recognize the 6,454 graduates of the Class of 2000.
Bustamante was elected Speaker of the Assembly in December 1996 and served as Speaker until February 1998. He was voted in as the state's 45th Lt. Governor in November 1999 with an agenda that included spearheading efforts to have California invest in infrastructure to build for the future; creating jobs by increasing California's international trade - particularly with Mexico; keeping college tuition affordable for working families; and protecting the State's environmental and economic resources.
"We are honored to have Cruz Bustamante, Lt. Governor of California address our graduating students and their guests," said Robert A. Corrigan, president of San Francisco State University. "The values he has demonstrated during his many years in public office, particularly his determination to make higher education accessible to all, and his lifelong commitment to strengthening our communities and our state, make him an inspiring exemplar for our students - for all of us."
The oldest of six children, Bustamante was born in Dinuba, California in 1953. He graduated from Tranquility High School before attending Fresno City College and then Fresno State University.
"I am delighted to accept the invitation to deliver the commencement address this year at San Francisco State University," Bustamante said. "San Francisco State University is clearly one of the leading institutions of higher learning in California. Its highly diverse faculty and student body have gained recognition for their community and academic accomplishments. I am honored to share in this special occasion."
Bustamante is a member of the Board of Regents for the University of California, a California State University Trustee and a member of the State Lands Commission. In addition, Bustamante established the Lt. Governor's Commission for One California, which has the mission of promoting ethnic and racial harmony.
A highly diverse community of over 27,000 students and 3,500 faculty and staff, San Francisco State University is one of the largest campuses in the nationally recognized 23-campus California State University System.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A transcript of the commencement will be posted on-line at the office of public affairs home page shortly after the conclusion of the event. SFSU's public affairs home page is located at http://www.sfsu.edu/~pubaff/. The web site also offers a searchable database of SFSU faculty experts on a variety of topics, along with contact information.
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