EDUCATION, CORPORATE, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS UNITE AT

THE NEA FOUNDATION GALA TO CELEBRATE PUBLIC EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS

Former President Bill Clinton and NAACP to Receive Prestigious Awards

Washington, D.C.-More than 800 education and corporate leaders, and government officials gathered this evening at The NEA Foundation's 11th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala to celebrate outstanding contributions to public education. Former President Bill Clinton and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) were awarded the prestigious NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education. Bruce Gordon, the president and CEO of the NAACP accepted the award on behalf of the organization. The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education is given to individuals and organizations demonstrating exemplary public education achievements and a continued commitment to advancing important education issues.

In addition to The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, more than 50 awards were bestowed upon the nation's top educators, most notably Philip Forgit, the recipient of The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Forgit-a fourth-grade teacher in Williamsburg, Virginia, and U.S. Navy reservist stationed in Iraq-received a total of $35,000 from the foundation for his achievements. The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence carries with it a $25,000 cash prize.

Each of the five Award for Teaching Excellence finalists for the award received The Horace Mann-NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence, which included $10,000 and financial support from The Horace Mann Companies to attend the gala. All nominees for the award received The I CAN Learn(r)-NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence and funding to travel to the gala from I CAN Learn(r) Education Systems. The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence honors outstanding instructional expertise, attention to diversity, dedication to lifelong learning, and creativity and innovation.

Harriet Sanford, president and CEO of The NEA Foundation, said, "The foundation is honored to present this evening's awards to such an extraordinary group of individuals. Their exceptional work in public education and their continued contributions have affected the lives of thousands of public school students nationwide."

The gala, held at the Marriott Wardham Park, featured a series of musical performances by the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Chamber Choir from Greenbelt, Maryland. Black-tie clad guests included The Honorable Michael Steel, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland; Congressman Ben Cardin from Maryland; Delegate Sheila Ellis Hixson of the Maryland House of Delegates; and Congressman Brian Higgins from New York, among others. The gala helped raise more $1.4 million for public education-nearly a 25 percent increase over last year's total.

"On behalf of NEA and our 2.7 million members, I applaud all our guests and awardees this evening for their commitment and contributions to helping make public schools great for every child," said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association (NEA). "Their dedication and passion have enabled us to make great strides in advancing this nation's public education."

The NEA Foundation offers grants and programs that support educators' efforts to close the achievement gaps, increase classroom innovations, salute excellence in education, and provide professional development. Created by the members of the National Education Association in 1969, the foundation is sustained by their continuing contributions, as well as those of dedicated corporate sponsors and committed friends. For more information, visit www.neafoundation.org.