The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute has named Ronald S. Calderon (D-Montebello), a member of the California State Senate, its 2007 Legislator of the Year, “in recognition of exemplary leadership on plumbing manufacturing issues.” The award presentation was made March 31 during the PMI 2008 Spring Meeting in Newport Beach, Calif.

According to PMI, Senator Calderon recently introduced legislation calling for third-party certification that all affected plumbing products meet California’s new “lead-free” formulation, thus assuring a level playing field for manufacturers when the legislation takes effect in two years.

Calderon was elected to the California State Senate in 2006 after serving four years in the State Assembly. He represents approximately 1 million constituents in several cities in Los Angeles County.

Not an annual event, the PMI “Legislator of the Year” award is presented only on those occasions when an elected official – local, state or federal – has made an extraordinary effort that is beneficial to the plumbing industry. The award was last presented in 2004 to U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO).

“I feel that the public is well served – consumers, retailers, wholesalers, even developers and building inspectors – by being assured that plumbing products comply with the new law,” said Calderon, in accepting the award. “It is a righteous cause and I know in my heart it is the right thing to do. We’ll just keep working hard until we get this legislation to Governor Schwarzenegger’s office.”