For More Information:
NEA Communications: 202 822-7200

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2002

Speech

Remarks by NEA President-Elect Reg Weaver to the NEA Representative Assembly

Dallas, Texas

There have been few occasions where words have eluded me. But as I stand before you I find that there are no words that will effectively communicate the range of emotions that I'm feeling - the humility, the pride, the appreciation - for the honor that you have bestowed upon me and the confidence you have shown by electing me NEA President, and for the hard work, loyalty, and commitment that you show each and every day, to every student, in every public school throughout our nation.

Each opportunity that I have had as a candidate for various NEA offices has been quite a challenge. It has required that I reflect deeply on the many issues that affect all of us. The depth that I must search is often equal to the challenge that I face. This campaign has been no different. I thank Denise Rockwell, from the great state of California, for inspiring us all to dig deeply in search of that which will enhance our profession, our mission, and our focus.

I wish to also take this time to thank the members of my campaign committee as well as the members from the great state of Illinois for their hard work and dedication. This campaign required their extraordinary and best efforts, and they gave nothing less.

I wish to also thank my family for their continued understanding and support of me, my passion, and my commitment to our Association and to public education. I want to thank the person who I have worked with for the past six years. I'd like to thank Mr. Bob Chase for all that you have done, my friend, as President of the National Education Association.

The position of NEA President holds enormous responsibility, and it is a position and a responsibility that I accept while I continue to seek your support and input as we usher in a new era within NEA.

I will remain committed, motivated, energized, and engaged to the cause of public education.

This is a time when public education is faced with an environment of unprecedented critical adversity, and we must respond in an unprecedented manner.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our work cut out for us.

How are we going to convince the public that, despite what they hear, we know what works?

What steps are we going to take to diminish the negative impact of what, to many, will be perceived as a great gift, and that is vouchers?

How are we going to attract and retain quality teachers and education support professionals under the cloud that currently envelops public education?

How are we going to ensure compensation that reflects our worth? How are we going to ensure our security in retirement and excellent health benefits for now and the future?

In other words, what are we going to do to ensure that public education survives in America?

I believe that it is imperative that NEA not lose sight of the fact that our primary interest and focus should be solidifying the institution of public education and public education professionals.

This is a trademark, and this is a tremendous task and we - the NEA - must be united.

We must work within an environment that recognizes that we are one in the fight for a quality education for all students, not just some.

An environment where we can disagree, but not disengage.

An environment where NEA and its state affiliates effectively focus on and do what is best for children, students, and public education.

We must never forget or underestimate the fact that NEA's strength, influence, and future are in our numbers.

The stronger we are, the more effective we will be as we face the many challenges that lie ahead.

Essential to NEA increasing its strength in membership is the crystallizing of our image.

It is critical that people understand who we are, and what we represent, before we can expect them to join and support us.

Public opinion is largely driven by image. Therefore, we must eliminate misconceptions about the Association, its mission, its policies, and its direction.

We are faced with eroding confidence in public education, and now is a critical time in the development of a public relations agenda that will provide positive and accurate information as to who we are and what we do.

It is essential that we unify our message and maximize our media exposure opportunities.

Another essential element to accomplishing our goals is community involvement.

If we are to ensure success in our efforts we must not hesitate to initiate contacts and engender strong commitment and support from the entire community - family, civic, labor, civil rights, minority, religious, business, and corporate leaders and organizations.

It is my belief that we will experience enormous success if we collaborate with others who are in support of public education. We cannot do it alone.

We must realize that until our communities respond with a genuine commitment to public education, we will see limited tangible results from our policymakers.

It takes a community to ward off challengers, and it takes a community to advocate for and advance the cause of public education.

My colleagues, it is imperative that NEA is ever vigilant and resolute in this new political environment.

We must be committed to a bipartisan, pro-public education agenda. We don't care which side of the aisle you are on. We don't care whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. You must be on the side of public education.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that the President of the United States, the Congress, the governors, the state legislators, the mayors, and the school board all have an enormous impact on our daily lives.

We must mobilize our staffs, our 2.7 million members, and our community partners.

We must identify and support those policymakers whose commitment is in the best interest of public education and public educators.

We must seek those who realize that you cannot develop an effective public school reform agenda without input from public school educators.

The recent Supreme Court decision on school vouchers, ESEA reauthorization, and the need to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision are examples of just how crucial bipartisan support is going to be and how important it is going to be for us that we work diligently to ensure that the upcoming elections are a win for children, students, educators, and public schools.

Our focus, our commitment, and our message must be clear and unwavering.

My friends and colleagues, let us step it up, turn it up, and pump it up as we move forward - united, determined, and dedicated to embracing that which we feel will reestablish public education and public educators as the preeminent resource for educating America.

NEA is everywhere, and we are the right people, in the right places, at the right time, and we will make the right choices as we defend public education. NEA, let us move forward, let us move forward as one because we are the ones who know what is best for our schools.

Thank you.

# # #
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.6 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.