The 2008 California Air Quality Awards luncheon was a record-breaking success! The Coalition for Clean Air raised more than $215,000 and hosted more than 350 attendees who gathered to applaud five honorees for their leadership in improving California's air quality.

Click here to view photos of the event!

Held in Los Angeles, California, the festivities began with a roundtable discussion between prominent CCA sponsors and California's regulatory air agency leadership, including Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, Barry Wallerstein, executive director of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Wayne Nastri, Region 9 Administrator California EPA. At the following VIP reception, platinum title sponsors Clean Energy and Southern California Edison welcomed a convivial crowd of clean air supporters.

As the highlight of the luncheon, awards were presented to five honorees for their significant contributions to reducing global warming. Honorees included Google, comedian Harry Shearer and California State Attorney General Edmund Brown Jr. The Honorable "Jerry" Brown was presented the Leadership in Government Award by CCA board member Peter Weiner. Said Weiner of Brown, he "has propelled California as an innovator of public policy solutions to global warming by bringing landmark lawsuits and being a passionate advocate for more action."

Anne Shen Smith, 13-year CCA board member, presented Ralph Perry with the first ever Ralph B. Perry III Lifetime Achievement Award by saying that "as a founding member of the Coalition for Clean Air, Ralph Perry is the longest serving board member in the 37-year history of the organization. If the Coalition for Clean Air had a father, it would be Ralph Perry." The award is accompanied by the initiation of CCA's first ever endowment fund, the Ralph B. Perry III Endowment Fund to Benefit CCA for Internship Use. To contribute to this fund, please contact Stephanie Milano at stephanie @ coalitionforcleanair.org.

The luncheon commenced with an eco-silent auction, featuring more than 45 earth-friendly products, which helped raise valuable funds for CCA. After the luncheon, attendees enjoyed a delectable dessert bar, complete with a chocolate fountain.

The Coalition for Clean Air sincerely appreciates our generous sponsors, donors and attendees for the luncheon's tremendous success.

HONOREES

Edmund G. Brown Jr.
California Attorney General
Leadership in Government Award

Harry Shearer, Comedian
Leadership in Environmental Media Award

Google, Inc.
Corportate Environmental Stewardship Award

Dr. Stephen H. Schneider, Climatologist
Carl Moyer Award for Scientific Leadership and Technical Excellence

Ralph B. Perry III
Ralph B. Perry III Lifetime Achievement Award

THANK YOU TO
OUR SPONSORS

Platinum
Clean Energy
Southern California Edison

Gold
Southern California Gas Company
Union Bank of California

Silver
Air Products ▪ The Better World Group, Inc. & J Knapp Communications ▪ DeMenno/Kerdoon ▪ Gladstein, Neandross & Associates ▪ Hydrogen Energy International, LLC ▪ The Port of Long Beach ▪ The Port of Los Angeles ▪ Toyota ▪ UPS ▪ Verizon Wireless ▪ The Walt Disney Company ▪ Warner Bros. Entertainment

Bronze
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. ▪  Capstone Turbine Corporation ▪ City of Burbank Water and Power ▪ Environment Now  ▪ General Motors Corp. ▪ Gensler ▪ Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ▪ Mayor Brown LLP  ▪ Paramount ▪ Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker ▪ Union Pacific  ▪ Velocity Vehicle Group ▪ Waste Management ▪ Weston, Benshoof, Rochefort, Rubalcava & MacCuish LLP

Photos from The 2008 California Air Quality Awards Luncheon

Thank You to Our Sponsors