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General Session - Friday

General Session I
Opening Session
Friday, November 18th
8:15–10:00am

Mark Salzman
Mark Salzman is an author and cellist who really wanted to grow up to become a master of the Chinese martial art of Kung Fu. He was accepted to Yale at 16 because of his proficiency on the cello but changed his major to Chinese language and philosophy, which eventually took him to mainland China where he spent two years teaching English at Hunan Medical College and studying traditional martial arts at their source. In 1985 he was the only non-Chinese invited to participate in the National Martial Arts Competition in Tianjin.

His first book, Iron & Silk, was a nonfiction account of his experiences living and working in China. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction and received the Christopher Award. Other nonfiction works include a memoir, Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia,and his most recent book, True Notebooks, an account of his experiences as a writing teacher at a maximum-security prison for juvenile offenders in Los Angeles. Novels include The Laughing Sutra and The Soloist, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award Prize for fiction.

Currently, Mr. Salzman is at work on a novel involving pre-emptive and uninhibited warfare, divine authority, and escape, and is set in thirteenth-century Mongolia. Mr. Salzman’s cello playing appears on the soundtrack to several films, including the Academy Award-winning documentary Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien. In 1996 Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax invited Mark Salzman to join them at Alice Tully Hall, which was broadcast nationally on the television program Live from Lincoln Center. Googling Mr. Salzman resulted in 125,000 hits.

Presentations at this session are the Innovation Award (sponsored by Highsmith Inc.), Technology Award (sponsored by Sagebrush Corp.), and the President’s Award (sponsored by DEMCO), recognition of Sustaining Members, and the installation of new CSLA State Officers.

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Assembly Member Carol Liu
Assembly Member Carol Liu was elected in 2000 and represents the 44th Assembly District that includes the communities of La Canada, Pasadena, and Arcadia in Los Angeles County. She is one of the legislature’s experts on public education, chairing the Higher Education Committee and serving as a member of the Education Committee that focuses on K–12 education issues. She has also been a member of the assembly’s critical Budget Subcommittee on Education.

Ms. Liu is a fifth-generation Californian and has a rich background in public education. She holds both a teaching credential and an administrative credential and was a public school teacher for 14 years. While in the legislature, she has focused on issues related to instructional materials costs, career technical education, higher education fee structure, and community college reform. Prior to being elected to the assembly, Ms. Liu served as a member of the La Canada Flintridge City Council and was twice elected as mayor.

Assembly Member Carol Liu is one of the legislature’s most dedicated members and has proven to be a strong supporter of public education, literacy, and efforts to provide support for English language learners.

Presentation at this session: the CSLA Administrative Leadership Award and Good Ideas! Awards.

MENU:
Chicken Caesar Wrap: Julienne Grilled Chicken Breast, Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Olives, Parmesan Cheese, and Caesar Dressing stuffed into a Pesto-Flour Tortilla and served with tomato-basil-artichoke salad.
Vegetarian Lasagna:Portobello Mushroom with a Creamy Béchamel Sauce, and Seasonal Vegetables.
Dessert:New York Style Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce

Both meals include rolls and butter and beverage service.

To purchase luncheon ticket, see registration form.

Note: Free seating room will be available for those who would prefer to eat elsewhere; however, food may not be brought into the room.