Author Norman La Force (Creating the Eastshore State Park: An Activist History) was honored with the Sylvia McLaughlin Environmental Stewardship Award at the 30th anniversary celebration of CESP (Citizens for the Eastshore State Park) today, Nov. 7 2015.  State Senator Loni Hancock presented the award; see video below.

Also honored were Mayor Tom Bates of Berkeley, and Pat O’Brien,former General Manager of the East Bay Regional Park District.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee led off the event with a keynote address..  Special certificates of thanks went to Patricia V. Jones, the retiring Executive Director of CESP, and to Robert Cheasty, CESP Board President.  Assemblymember Tony Thurmond presented the award to Tom Bates.  Former Parks director Nancy Skinner presented the award to Pat O’Brien.