By Ken Mason

Speaker of the California State Assembly, Robert M. Hertzberg was honored by more than 150 community college faculty at the Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel in Studio City, Wednesday, November 29. The event was sponsored by FACCC-PAC, the American Federation of Teachers College Guild Local 1521, Southland Faculty Alliance,  and Foothill-De Anza Faculty Association-PAC. Among the attendees were several members of the Board of Governors (BOG), state legislators from both political parties, and of course a delegation from SMCFA and CPFA.  The 50% lawsuit was a major topic of conversion, and it is clear that college faculty throughout the state are following the latest request by the District for an exemption with great interest. The speaker was also very interested in our lawsuit, as were members of the BOG.  Hertzberg graciously thanked the faculty for their support, and with a number of legislators by his side, reassured the assembled in a rousing speech that he will be both an advocate and a defender of  community college teachers.