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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2001

News Release

NEA to Congress: Remember Tomorrow's Heroes

Teachers Lobby for Federal Funds to Build Schools, Create Jobs

Washington, D.C. -- As the country faces the reality of an economic slowdown, National Education Association (NEA) members urge Congress to remember the 50 million schoolchildren who attend the nation's public schools and provide much-needed school construction relief to states.

"We know that state budgets are under intense pressure," NEA President Bob Chase said. "We also know that education is usually the biggest part of most state budgets. These two variables lead to an equation that could negatively affect classrooms nationwide. This is an historic opportunity for Congress to help the nation's schools while also helping state budgets."

More than 150 NEA members from across the country will visit their U.S. Representatives and Senators this week to lobby for funds to repair crumbling school buildings and assist ailing state education budgets.

A recent NEA study documented more than $300 billion in unmet infrastructure and technology needs -- an amount states and localities cannot meet alone. The American Institute of Architects published a report detailing deplorable conditions in high schools once attended by various Members of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. "Good Enough for Congress? A Pictorial Representation of Why Americans Deserve Better School Buildings" is available online at www.e-architect.com/gov/schoolpics.

NEA is seeking $20 billion for school construction to be included in the economic stimulus package currently being debated in Congress. Chase said the proposal belongs in an economic bill because for every $1 billion spent in school construction, more than 23,000 jobs are created, according to NEA's research department.

"Part of any economic stimulus package should include school construction," Chase said. "Not only does it help our schools, and our students, it also helps create jobs in our communities while freeing up much-needed state dollars for education."

"More than any other time in our nation, we need to be there for our kids," said Chase. "We need to make sure our public schools are in tip-top shape to teach and nurture the heroes of tomorrow."

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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.