CONTACT: Will Potter  (202) 822-7823    

May 20, 2008

Statement by NEA President Weaver on Senator Kennedy's Diagnosis

WASHINGTON—Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association, expressed the sympathies of the NEA's 3.2 million members today at news that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) has a malignant brain tumor.

The following can be attributed to NEA President Reg Weaver:

"Sen. Ted Kennedy stands as a long-time friend of public education, and strong supporter of public school students and teachers. He provides consistent and courageous leadership in the effort to ensure the basic right of all children to attend great public schools.  And because of that, he has been the recipient of NEA's highest honor, the Friend of Education Award, for his leadership in raising the level of excellence in American public education.

"Every major education law passed since the 1960s has borne Kennedy's imprint, from Head Start to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. He has proven himself, time and again, to be a fighter for children and educators. We pray that the senator and his family will be strengthened and encouraged by the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes of millions of educators and students across the nation."

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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.