Alumni receptions scheduled
A reception for alumni, interns, faculty, and friends of the LBJ School will be hosted by Dean Ed Dorn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in Washington, D.C., on June 12. The event is scheduled in the LBJ Room (S211) of the Capitol Building and begins at 5:30 p.m.

The annual reception in Austin will be held on August 24 at the LBJ Library beginning at 5:30 p.m. The 2001 recipient of the LBJ School National Alumni Association's Distinguished Public Service Award will be honored at the reception.

President Bush taps Rutter to head federal rail agency
The White House announced in early April that President George Bush will nominate Allan Rutter (LBJ Class of 1983) as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.

Rutter is currently transportation policy director in the Texas Governor's Office, where he has worked since 1995. He was deputy executive director of the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority from 1990 to 1995 and served as a senior budget analyst under Texas Governors Mark White and William Clements from 1985 to 1990.

California Assembly names Craig Cornett budget director
The California State Assembly named Craig Cornett (LBJ Class of 1983) as the budget director to the speaker of the California State Assembly. In his new post, Cornett will help develop the State Assembly's annual budget strategy, advise the speaker and the Democratic caucus on fiscal issues, and assist in negotiations on the budget with the leader of the state senate and the governor.

Cornett--whose areas of expertise include public financial management, crime, information and technology, and the judiciary--previously served as director of the California Legislative Analyst's Office.

Crockett book in the news
In November, at the peak of the controversy surrounding the American presidential race, David A. Crockett (LBJ Class of 1993), was one of the scholars who helped interpret aspects of the unusual political fight.

In a lengthy Austin American-Statesman commentary entitled "The Making of a Mandate," Crockett discussed how a tight race might affect the next president. Drawing on a book he is currently writing, Crockett discussed some of the historical and partisan constraints faced by other presidents as they entered office.

An assistant professor of political science at Trinity University, Crockett specializes in the American presidency, elections, and campaigns. His book, which is being published by Texas A&M University as part of its presidential leadership series, is expected to be released in 2002.

Magazine names Garza "Public Official of the Year"
Governing magazine has named Austin City Manager Jesus Garza (LBJ Class of 1977) to its Public Official of the Year list. Garza was among nine top-level public officials honored by the publication, which selected winners from state and local governments across the country.

Lauding his conciliatory, proactive management style in light of the city's rapid growth, the article states that Garza's "results have been spectacular: Austin ranks among America's best-managed cities in virtually every category."

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May 14, 2001

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