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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2000

News Release

NEA Mourns the Loss of Slain Florida Teacher

"We are sick at heart"

Washington, D.C. -- "In this time of immense sorrow, the NEA family extends our deepest sympathies and steadfast support to our brothers and sisters in Palm Beach County, Florida," said NEA President Bob Chase, remarking on the shooting death of a middle school teacher in Lakeworth, Florida. "We have lost a dear colleague, friend, and devoted member of our teaching family to senseless violence. The shock and horror is too much to bear."

"We are sick at heart. As educators, we bear the emotional scars of caring for children in a world where violence is too easy, guns too available, and adults too cowardly to take action to protect teachers and students. Palm Beach joins the list of school communities who've truly paid the highest price for the evils and despair that too often spill into our schools."

"For all the anguish and shock the students, staff and families are facing, please know NEA stands firmly and proudly behind our brave Palm Beach brothers and sisters."

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.