The Rafu Shimpo - L.A. Japanese Daily News

Robert Matsui Honored by Cal State System
Saturday, May 27, 2006

Doris Matsui accepts honorary doctorate on behalf of late husband.

Doris Matsui
Photos Courtesy of State Sacramento

SACRAMENTO.—Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) received an honorary doctorate on behalf of her husband, the late Rep. Robert T. Matsui from the California State University System during the College of Business Administration commencement ceremony. Additionally, during the ceremony Doris Matsui was presented the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service by CSUF President, Dr. Alexander Gonzalez.

Matsui said her husband, who passed away on Jan. 1, 2005, had a lifelong love of learning.

“I am honored to be here today…not only to represent my late husband, Congressman Robert Matsui … not only to receive the wonderful recognition of the President Award … but because of you, the graduates of 2006. Congratulations. You are about to embark on an exciting journey.

“So, first a ward to the graduates.

“My husband and I both graduated from US Berkeley, and we were as excited as I imagine you all are today.

“Great things await you. Cherish this turning of the page in your lives. You’ve lived more than two decades of your life, and they’ve been full of learning. I encourage you to continue to live the rest of your life in the same way.

“Great things await you,” said Rep. Doris Matsui to students at the Cal State Sacramento commencement on May 20.

Matsui accept the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service from CSUS Dr. Alexander Gonzales, center, and George Gowgani, a member of the CSU Board of Trustees.

“Don’t even stop learning. Think of who you were when you first joined this institution. And think of who you are today. These changes didn’t happen over night, they happened deliberately and with great effort. It was an effort that changed your future.

“My late husband, Congressman Bon Matsui cherished learning. He would love to be here today to see all of your smiling faces. Like you, he saw all that was possible in life no matter what life you were dealt. He focused on leaving a better world behind for our son, our granddaughter and their generations. Bob loved Sacramento, it was part of him, it was where he was born and raised, it was the community he represented in the United States Congress. And it is where he came home to be in the end.”

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