The League typically selects one or more members of the Legislature annually to recognize their efforts that strengthen local control. The award is often presented during the League’s annual conference or at another League event. Honorees are later featured in Western City magazine.

In 2011, Senators Rod Wright and Bob Huff were honored with the award in appreciation for their efforts to protect local redevelopment agencies during the tumultuous 2011 legislative session.

The League’s Past Presidents’ Council annually selects an individual who has made a significant and unique contribution to the state or to his or her community over an extended period of years to be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented during the annual conference. 

Preference will be given to nominees who have been closely associated with cities. However, nominees may be considered from the following categories:

• Local government leaders
• Academicians/teachers
• Authors
• Media producers
• Community leaders
• State or national leaders

Winners

• 1996 – Senator Robert Beverly
• 1997 – Tom Bradley, former mayor, Los Angeles
• 1998 – Bud Carpenter, former executive director, League of California Cities
• 1999 – Jack Maltester, former mayor, San Leandro
• 2000 – Wes McClure, former city manager, San Leandro
• 2001 – Joseph Rattigan
• 2002 – Carol Whiteside, former mayor, Modesto
• 2003 – Dan Walters, newspaper columnist, Sacramento Bee
• 2004 – Norman Mineta, secretary of t ransportation, Bush Administration White House Cabinet ; former mayor, San Jose
• 2005 – Jerry Patterson, president, Institute for Local Government ; former mayor, Santa Ana ; former member, U S Congress
• 2006 – Rosario Marin, secretary, California State and Consumer Services Agency ; former mayor, Huntington Park ; former U S treasurer
• 2007 – A. Alan Post, former c hief l egislative a nalyst, state of California
• 2008 – Harriet Miller, former mayor, Santa Barbara; president of the Institute for Local Government
• 2009 – Kevin Starr, author, historian, and former state librarian
• 2010 – Ray Remy, former director, California EDD; former deputy mayor, Los Angeles; former assistant director, League of California Cities
• 2011 – Dianne Feinstein, U S Senator ; former mayor, San Francisco
• 2012 – Ron Loverage, mayor, city of Riverside

The League periodically honors city officials, lawmakers and others with a special recognition award.