The Weekly is a strong supporter of gay rights and of gay marriage, and we cannot lend our endorsement to a candidate for judge who has actively attempted to deny this right.

- Bill Johnson, Class III,
Founder & Publisher, Palo Alto Weekly

From an article in Palo Alto Online (5.29.12) on the Palo Alto Weekly's rescindment of its endorsement of San Jose attorney Steven Pogue to the Santa Clara County Superior Court based on information & confirmation of Pogue's $500 contribution to the 2008 Prop 8 campaign to ban gay marriage.

Public trust in government is at an all-time low. Our goal is to make information about who is paying for campaigns available in an immediate, accessible and organized way that is useful for voters in understanding and demystifying the political process.

- Ann Ravel, Class XI,
Chair, California Fair Political
Practices Commission

From an article in Calbuzz (5.29.12) on how ALF Senior Fellow Ann Ravel can make the California Fair Political Practices Commission more effective.

An organization that doesn't have heroes, to me, doesn't know its values. When you see Willie Mays, you see Giants. When you see Willie McCovey, you see Giants. These players look up to these guys, and they know what they have a chance to be.

- Bruce Bochy,
San Francisco Giants Manager & 2012 ALF Exemplary Leader

From an onstage conversation with Senior Fellow Luther Jackson at ALF's 2012 Exemplary Leader Awards at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, 5.3.12.

Sleep Train has opened the average person up to understand what goes on in foster care.

- Andre Chapman, Class XXIII,
CEO, Unity Care

From Sal Pizarro's column in the San Jose Mercury News (5.14.12) on Unity Care's inaugural Youth Live fundraiser that honored Sleep Train founder and CEO Dale Carlsen for his company's support of foster children, and ALF Senior Fellow and Board Member Lisa Sonsini, president of Sobrato Family Foundation, for her many years of work advocating for youth including foster children.

It is a combination of the unique capabilities of the valley, combined with the unique, broad capabilities of Stanford and a very strong medical research and teaching ... hospital. You need all of those if you're going to take on the global issue of health care, and I think this is an opportunity to do that.

- John Morgridge, Class VIII,
Chairman Emeritus, Cisco Systems

From an article in Palo Alto Online (5.8.12) on the announcement of Stanford's $1 billion fundraising campaign to build a new hospital and integrate emerging technology into medical care & instruction. Half of this amount has already been raised from individual donors and tech companies.

We know you are in a fiscal crisis, and if there were any time in the history of the city for you to consider shutting the facility it would be now. We get that. However, we also know you could literally close all the cultural facilities you own and not begin to solve your budget.

- Connie Martinez, Class X,
Managing Director & CEO, 1stACT Silicon Valley

From an article in the San Jose Mercury News (5.25.11) on the adoption of a news business plan for San Jose's Mexican Heritage Plaza.

If you ever, ever, ever think that you don't play a critical role - let me be clear on this - your loyalty and your enthusiasm, it's what endears us here and on the road. Your enthusiasm gives these players adrenaline that they play on. Your interest gives them a passion to win. When you come out in full force, it's amazing.

- Bruce Bochy,
San Francisco Giants Manager & 2012 ALF Exemplary Leader

From an onstage conversation with Senior Fellow Luther Jackson at ALF's 2012 Exemplary Leader Awards at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, 5.3.12.

One of the most fabulous things that's ever happened in the 19 years we've been doing this just landed on our doorstep right as the year was coming to a close.

- Bill Johnson, Class III,
Founder & Publisher, Palo Alto Weekly

From an article in Palo Alto Online (5.1.12) on the 18th annual Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund's anonymous donation of $100,000 that enabled the distribution of $353,000 in grants to 55 area nonprofits.

Vikki has a proven track record of transformative leadership. She has a fundamental understanding of both the importance of being member-focused
and what it takes to be a relevant 21st
century association.

- Carol Larson, Class XV,
President and CEO of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation & Board Chair of the Council on Foundations

From a press release anouncing Vikki Spruill, president & CEO of Ocean Conservancy as incoming president & CEO of the Council on Foundations effective July 1, 2012.

People today are bullying in a very
different way. I want to make sure there
are no loopholes.

- Nora Campos, Class XV,
California State Assemblymember

From an article in the San Jose Mercury News (4.17.12) on the passage of Assembly Bill 1732 that would give California schools a higher level of authority in dealing with students engaged in cyberbullying via
social media.