Congresswoman Doris Matsui visits campus and its Matsui programs

“When Congressman Robert Matsui (D-California) died in 2005, a significant part of his legacy was entrusted to UC Berkeley. In 2007, the Robert T. Matsui Center on Politics and Public Service was established at the Institute of Governmental Studies(IGS), and his collection of papers was donated to The Bancroft Library.

On Oct. 29, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-California) came to the campus for a first-hand look at the Matsui program and archive.

Ethan Rarick, Matsui Center director, said the congresswoman visited the center to learn more about the program. “The mission of the center is to involve undergraduates in politics and in public policy,” said Rarick. The center offers internship programs at the local, state, and federal level and brings public figures, including elected and governmental officials, to campus.

This week, two events showcase the Center’s efforts: At 4 p.m. Nov. 1 at 109 Moses Hall, Mark DiCamillo, the director of the Field Poll, will provide an election-eve update, reporting on the latest polling numbers. Then on Nov. 2, the IGS Matsui Center election-night party begins at 5 p.m. at 109 Moses, where the campus community is invited to watch the returns on the big-screen TV. Pizza will be served and an expert panel will discuss what’s happening nationally and in California. Panelists include David Chai, former deputy press secretary for President Clinton; Jack Citrin, IGS director; and Max Neiman, IGS senior research fellow.

Rep. Matsui also visited the Bancroft Library, checking in on the efforts there to inventory the extensive collection of papers her husband has donated and the progress toward creating a searchable online catalog. The collection includes documentation of legislative efforts surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement, and papers that delve into welfare reform, base closures, and reparations for Japanese-Americans sent to World War II internment camps.” – UC Berkeley News

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