Contact: Miguel A. Gonzalez  (202) 822-7823

September 15, 2007

NEA President Reg Weaver Honors
National Hispanic Heritage Month 2007

Weaver highlights Association's
commitment to serving Hispanic community

WASHINGTON -- NEA President Reg Weaver today honored the contributions of Hispanic Americans as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year from September 15-October 15.

"Hispanics are changing the composition of cities and states from coast to coast and influencing all segments of American life," said Weaver. "And nowhere is that more visible than in America's public schools. Today, nearly 20 percent of the nation's public school students are Hispanic. As we honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, we must reflect -- and act -- on how we can continue to work together to ensure great public schools as a basic right for every student."

NEA's commitment to serving the Hispanic community is far-reaching. In July, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined President Weaver to launch the Association's national grassroots and media campaign to engage and mobilize the Hispanic community. U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-Texas) also joined Weaver at a press conference in October 2006 to announce NEA's 12-point action plan for reducing school dropouts. Latino males represent the largest group of dropouts. 

In the spring, NEA issued a comprehensive joint report with the League of United Latin American Citizens on the status of Hispanics in education. The report included recommendations for national, state and local policymakers as well as the community at large to ensure Hispanic students receive the quality public education they deserve.

These are only a few examples of NEA's extensive outreach that led The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to present the 2007 MALDEF Excellence in Leadership Award to President Weaver for his outstanding contributions to the Latino community.
 
"Great educators are fundamental to great public schools. Among the Association's 3.2 million members are many Hispanic Americans who work each day to create a better future for the nation's children. Our schools and our communities are richer because we continue to benefit from the talent and ingenuity of these great educators," Weaver said.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a national observance authorized by Public Law 100-402. The observance was initiated in 1968 as National Hispanic Heritage Week but was expanded in 1988 to include the entire 31-day period. The original proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week specifically urged the people of the United States, "especially the educational community, to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities."

For more information about how NEA is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, please visit the Minority Community Outreach section of our Web site.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators
 and students preparing to become teachers.