SACRAMENTO -- Speaker-elect Herb Wesson selected 11 finalists from California high school students, today, who submitted art designs for the California Memorial License Plate Art Contest. California Lottery Director Joan Wilson hosted Speaker-elect Wesson at the Lottery's headquarters draw studio in Sacramento, where the Speaker-elect used Lottery draw equipment to select eleven high school finalists.
Speaker-elect Wesson along with Assemblymember Dave Cox recently introduced a new state law authorizing the use of a specialized license plate to remember the victims of September 11, 2001. "With your help, this plate will be the largest selling license plate California has ever seen with the proceeds aiding law enforcement efforts to fight terrorism," said Wesson. "We will also provide scholarships to California's children who lost a loved one in the September 11 attacks. High school students throughout the state were asked to help create a design the license plates as a way to involve youth in the healing process. During the last three months, hundreds of young patriots have taken the time to send in their designs," said Wesson, "These designs reflect the spirit and the heart of California."
"We are honored to do our part in assisting Speaker-elect Wesson with this contest," said Lottery Director Joan Wilson. "As Partners In Education, the California Lottery supports education in any way possible and assisting in choosing the finalists for this endeavor is truly an honor for the California Lottery."
Since 1985, the Lottery has raised more than $13 billion for public schools. The California Lottery fulfills its mandate to supplement public schools by selling its products through a network of more than 18,000 retailers statewide. The Lottery provides 52.7 percent of its revenues to players as prizes, 34.1 percent to public schools and 13.2 percent for administrative expenses, which includes 6.9 percent for retailer commissions. (Footage of the finalist draw will be available via satellite uplink of the California Lottery's normal game drawings for Thursday evening at 6:57 p.m. at Telstar 6 (C band) xponder. 8 or through news affiliates in Sacramento.)
For contest winner information, contact Greg Campbell at (916) 319-2047.
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