The Journalism Education Association will honor Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines) with its Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award during the organization's national convention in November.

The award will be presented at a luncheon on Nov. 15, at the St. Louis Renaissance Grand and Suites Hotel.

The award is given to individuals and groups making significant contributions to scholastic journalism. This year's award recognizes Rep. Upthegrove for his commitment to protecting the First Amendment rights of students through introducing state legislation to prohibit censorship of student newspapers at public colleges and high schools.

"Dave is committed to education and believes students have every right to share what the First Amendment promises to all its citizens," wrote Kathy Schrier, president of Washington Journalism Education Association in nominating Rep. Upthegrove. "He has demonstrated this commitment through his sponsorship of student press rights legislation in our state."

Although the Washington bill has yet to make it through the Senate, similar bills have been introduced in Michigan and Oregon. The Oregon bill, introduced in 2007, passed and is now law.

Rep. Upthegrove is serving his third term in the Washington State House of Representatives. He represents the 33rd Legislative District.

"Having worked for and closely with the Student Press Law Center for close to two decades, I can say without hesitation that Dave's support, understanding and genuine belief in the cause of student press freedom is unmatched by any lawmaker I've known," wrote Mike Hiestand, legal consultant for the center.

In 2006 Rep. Upthegrove was the prime sponsor of a bill requiring classroom assessments in civics education. He sponsored that bill after learning about the Knight Foundation Study showing students who do not receive civics or journalism education in school are far less likely to understand or appreciate their First Amendment rights.

Outside of the legislature, Upthegrove serves as a member of the council for Public Legal Education - a group of community leaders who work to educate the public about their rights and responsibilities as citizens - and also is a regular volunteer with the "We the People" civic education program in schools.

"Although Washington's student press freedom bill was unsuccessful," Hiestand wrote, "it certainly wasn't for lack of trying on a failure on Dave's part to do everything possible. The issue got caught up in a partisan fight and the numbers simply weren't there. But Dave has encouraged supporters to try again and has promised to sponsor the legislation for as long as necessary."

Fern Valentine, the association's Freedom of Expression chair, added, "Every state needs a young, energetic state legislator who 'gets it' about press freedom for students.

"He encouraged us when we got discouraged and explained the ins and outs of bill passage. Although only a few of us are from his district, he put forth full effort on our behalf."

The group plans to reintroduce a student press freedom bill this fall.