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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2001

News Release

Ohio Education Association President Claims Position on NEA's Executive Committee

Los Angeles, CA - Mike Billirakis, a high school social studies teacher from Mogadore (Portage County), Ohio, was successful today in a special run-off election to fill a one-year term on the National Education Association (NEA) Executive Committee. He was elected to lead the nation's largest professional employee organization by more than 9,000 delegates attending the Association's Representative Assembly, meeting July 4-7 in Los Angeles, California.

A strong advocate for giving schools adequate resources, Billirakis' witnessed first-hand the importance of a providing students with proper learning environments as president of the Ohio Education Association, an NEA affiliate.

"My experience in the classroom and as a local leader helped me to understand the importance of resources," said Billirakis. "When I walk into inner-city schools in Ohio, and I see wonderful things happening, I marvel at what more the students and teachers could achieve with appropriate resources."

With 29 years' teaching experience, Billirakis has been a champion for public education and school employees at the state and local levels. He is a founding member of Ohio's education and business coalition (BEST) and served on the board of directors of the State Teacher's Retirement System of Ohio. He began his Association career as president of the Field Local Teachers Association.

Billirakis lives with his wife, Valerie, and their two daughters.

Billirakis will serve for one year starting in September. He is filling the unexpired term of Executive Committee member Eddie Davis, who is returning to North Carolina.

The NEA Executive Committee consists of nine members - three executive officers and six members elected at large by the Representative Assembly.

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