Although he didn't arrive by presidential motorcade, actor Jimmy Smits, who portrayed U.S. President Matt Santos on television's "West Wing," got a welcome worthy of a real president from State Council.

 

Smits, the celebrity spokesperson for the Preschool for All (Prop. 82) campaign, was there to lead a get-out-the-vote rally on the Council floor.

 

"Our public schools were founded on equality - on the notion that education shouldn't just be a privilege of the wealthy - that instead, education should be the great equalizer in our society," he told Council delegates.

 

"Preschool for all is a continuation of that ideal. By giving every child a chance to start school ready to learn, we will help them stay on the right track in school. And we will decrease the achievement gap that holds some children back."