Gov. Janet Napolitano told more than 50 ASU law students Monday that she would not have been where she is now -- serving as governor -- if it weren't for her law degree.
"It doesn't surprise me that when you look around the country at state governors and notice [the number of governors] who were lawyers or have law degrees," Napolitano said. "I can't imagine doing what I'm doing now without having gotten and received that legal education and practicing as a lawyer."
Napolitano spoke to law professor George Schatzki's class of first-year law students Monday at the College of Law building.
Napolitano, governor of Arizona since 2002, is a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School.
"When I was sitting as a first-year law student, I had no clue what lawyers could do, other than watching Perry Mason on TV," Napolitano said. "I didn't come from a family of lawyers. As time went on, I had the opportunity to practice and do other things. I see the whole universe of opportunities that a legal education can give you."
The governor's speech wasn't entirely focused on her legal background.
When asked, Napolitano said she doesn't support Proposition 200, an initiative requiring Arizonans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote. It also requires proof of identity when voting and proof of eligibility in order to receive public benefits.
She said the initiative will cost the state millions of dollars and doesn't deter illegal immigrants from crossing the border.
Napolitano said the initiative would go against federal programs received by the state such as the Women Infants and Children program and children rehabilitative services through match-based funding, meaning for every $1 the state puts in, the federal government matches that with $3.
She said the rules governing these programs forbid asking individuals about citizenship.
"If you ask, you can't draw down the federal dollars," Napolitano said. "Just those programs cost $180 million a year. So where are we going to pick that money up? I think the solution is a federal solution that begins with immigration law reforms."
Napolitano also said she supports Democratic candidate John Kerry and the presidential debate, to be held Oct. 13 at ASU, would be a good exposure for the state.
"The eyes of the nation and the world will be on Arizona and will be on Tempe and its beautiful campus," said Napolitano. "It's a great free [public relation] for us. It highlights the fact that we continue to be a state in transition, a state where both parties want to fight over [us]."
Andrew Becke, a first-year law student, said he enjoyed the governor's visit to his class.
"I'm very glad we have a Democrat in the governor's mansion," Becke said. "In the past 50 years, we've been looked down upon as backward but we have transitioned and we now have a more progressive thinker like Napolitano."
Another first-year law student, Tu-Nga Nguyen said she appreciated the governor's visit because of the chance to see a successful person who was at one time a first-year law student.
"It is important that law students see that what our legal education could expand to where Janet Napolitano is now," Nguyen said.
Reach the reporter at laosamoa.poasa@asu.edu.
