Berman, who spent 40 years in state and national politics, completed a B.A. in international relations and a law degree at UCLA.

UCLA International Institute, June 7, 2016 — The UCLA International Institute is pleased to announce that the Honorable Howard Berman will deliver the keynote address at its commencement ceremony in Royce Hall on Saturday, June 11, at 6:30 pm. The ceremony will celebrate the graduation of undergraduate students in the Institute’s Global Studies and International Development Studies programs, together with undergraduate and graduate students in its area studies programs.

Berman, who represented the San Fernando Valley and adjacent areas in the House of Representatives from 1983 to 2013, is currently senior advisor at the well-known law firm Covington & Burling. A politician for 40 years, he served in the California State Assembly for 10 years prior to becoming a Congressman. Today, he is one of 15 members of the committee charged with drafting the Democratic Party Platform in preparation for that party’s July 2016 convention in Philadelphia.

A native of Los Angeles, Berman completed a B.A. in international relations and a law degree at UCLA. Already active in the Bruin Democrats as an undergraduate, he met and befriended another future California Congressman from Southern California at UCLA: Henry Waxman. Together, the two young men created the Los Angeles County Young Democrats, an association of registered Democrats between the ages of 18 and 35 that continues to exist to this day.

After completing his degrees at UCLA, Berman first worked as a volunteer for VISTA (the domestic version of the Peace Corps). He then practiced law in Los Angeles for six years, specializing in labor relations. In 1972, he was elected to the California State Assembly, where he served until 1982, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

During his 30-year tenure in Congress, Berman was a member of the House Judiciary, Ethics, and Foreign Affairs Committees, serving as chairman of the latter from 2008 to 2011. Over time, he became one of Congress’ leading experts on international relations.

Berman has long maintained ties to his alma mater and remains a devoted Bruins basketball fan, frequently attending games with another UCLA alumnus — former County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. The commencement speaker received the Alumni Association’s Public Service Award in 1997 and the School of Law’s Alumni of the Year in 1999 (in the category of professional achievement).

The Institute is delighted to welcome Howard Berman back to speak to its Class of 2016, and extends its heartfelt congratulations to the class.

Published: Tuesday, June 7, 2016