They got the message loud and clear.

Ten new members of the State Legislature representing the Los Angeles area and 24 of their legislative colleagues and staffers received a personal visit in Sacramento last week from more than 80 UCLA volunteers, who fanned out across the capital to urge support for UC and UCLA.

The annual trek north for UC Day in Sacramento March 5-6 gave UCLA supporters - alumni, friends, students and staff - a blue-and-golden opportunity to take part in one of the most important activities within the scope of volunteerism: grassroots advocacy. They joined more than 400 supporters, the largest-ever gathering of UC alumni.

"UC Day in Sacramento provides our alumni advocates and volunteers with direct contact with their elected officials," said Keith Parker, assistant vice chancellor for Government and Community Relations. "Because they are unpaid advocates, traveling at their own expense, taking time from their jobs, their voice and message are very impactful to legislators."

The visits were particularly vital because of term limits and the ever-changing roster of new legislators, said Michael Altschule, assistant director of State Relations.

"We have 10 new members of the Assembly in our assigned delegation," Altschule said. "They may or may not be aware of what UCLA does in their districts. This is our chance to get the message across."

The annual event also offered an opportunity to honor an alumnus with an exceptional record of government service. The Bruin Caucus Service Award - presented only twice before, to former House Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and former San Diego Congresswoman Lynn Schenk - was given to Secretary of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency Lon S. Hatamiya. Hatamiya, who earned an M.B.A. from The Anderson School and a J.D. degree from UCLA School of Law, heads California's primary agency for economic development, job creation and business retention efforts.

Also recognized for outstanding research achievements were 19 UC undergraduates, among them UCLA students Carole Viers, majoring in comparative literature, and Bethelwel Wilson, political science.