The Matsui Forum
"Voting Today, Leading tomorrow: Will Young Voters Change America?"
The 2008 presidential election has seen an unprecedented surge in the registration of young voters, a group that has often been disengaged from politics. Will young people remain engaged in politics beyond this election cycle? What can be done to encourage young people to stay involved in politics? What difference might it make for the country?
These topics and more were covered during our Inaugural Matsui Forum held on Monday, April 27. If you missed the event, or would like to view it again, please visit one of the following sites-
The Berkeley Webcast
Berkeley on Youtube
Berkeley on iTunes
Panelists:
Mike Connery: Author of Youth to Power: How Today's Young Voters Are Building Tomorrow's Progressive Majority he also blogs full-time about progressive youth organizing at Future Majority.
Meghan McCain: McCain is a well known blogger and author: thedailybeast.com and mccainblogette.com, she is the daughter of John McCain and experienced first hand the campaign trail during this last election cycle.
Randi Zuckerberg: The face of facebook, Randi Zuckerberg is the spokeswoman for Facebook and worked closely with CNN on their integration with Facebook for the inauguration, even serving as a guest anchorwoman for CNN broadcasts from Facebook on the day of the inauguration.
Heather Smith: Executive Director of Rock the Vote, founder and former director of Youth Voter Strategies, and served as the national field director for the student PIRGs New Voters Project.
Nicole Lapin: News anchor for CNN.com Live. Lapin joined CNN in 2006 becoming on of the youngest news anchors in the company's history. She hosts a weekly interview series entitled, "Young People Who Rock," which focuses on young people under 30 who are doing amazing things.
Press Coverage:
Daily Californian
Sponsored by the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service
Co-sponsors include: Berkeley College Republicans, Cal Berkeley Democrats, and the Undergraduate Political Science Association.
Matsui Interns and Legislator-in-Residence
The Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service is proud to announce the Inaugural Class of Matsui Interns and our new Legislator-in-Residence Dick Ackerman!We were pleased to have an unexpected number of applicants for all offered internships. After a competitive selection process we have chosen interns to serve at the local, state and federal levels of government. Exact placement for the interns will be determined during the spring semester.
Local Government Internship
This intern will work full time during the summer participating in city government.
The Local Government Intern is Claire Doran. Doran is a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies with a concentration in conflict resolution.
State Government Internship
Three students were selected to serve at the state level, through the longstanding Cal-In-Sacramento program, as Matsui State Government Interns.
Daniel Chun, a sophomore, double majoring in Political Science and Economics. 
Daniel Enz, a senior, majoring in Political Science. 
Nancy Li, a junior, double majoring in Political Economy of Industrial Societies and Chinese.
Congressional Government Internship
Congressional Interns live in Washington D.C. during the spring semester while participating in the U.C. Washington program.
Gricelda Gomez, a senior majoring in Business Administration, is interning for Representative Grace Napolitano.
Amanda Kelsey Loh, a junior majoring in Legal Studies with a minor in Public Policy, is interning for Senator Christopher Dodd.
Erin Pangilinan, a senior double majoring in Asian American Studies and Ethnic Studies, is interning for Representative Zoe Lofgren.
Katerina Robinson, a junior double majoring in Political Science and Theater, is interning for Representative Mike Honda.Welcome State Senator Dick Ackerman!
Former Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman has joined IGS as the Legislator-in-Residence for 2009. Ackerman brings over 25 years of experience as a public official to the Matsui Center and the IGS community. Prior to his career as an elected official Ackerman attended UC Berkeley, and we are honored to welcome him back. His background and personal knowledge of Sacramento and California politics will be an incredible resource for the students and for the Matsui Center.
Ackerman's career in public service began in 1980 when he was elected to the Fullerton City Council. After serving on the city council for three years he was elected Mayor of Fullerton in 1982 and served two consecutive terms as Mayor. In 1995 Ackerman won a special election for the 72nd District to serve on the California State Assembly. After three terms in the assembly Ackerman went on to the State Senate in 2000. He served in the State Senate from 2000 to 2008, and was leader of the Senate Republicans from 2004 to 2008.
The Legislator-in-Residence program, which is based in the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, brings a former legislator to campus each year to teach and to participate in the life of IGS. Past Legislators-in-Residence have included Dion Aroner, Wilma Chan, Patrick Johnston, Johan Klehs, Ted Lempert, and Darrell Steinberg.
