NEA PAC Forwards Recommendation of Kerry to Representative Assembly
The NEA Fund Council, NEA's political action committee,
voted Thursday (April 29, 2004) to forward the recommendation of Sen.
John Kerry for president to the NEA Representative Assembly.
Before Kerry is officially endorsed by the NEA and its affiliates,
the recommendation must be approved in July by at least 58% of the 9,500
NEA Representative Assembly delegates.
WEAC President Stan Johnson said the recommendation of Kerry was right
for children and education employees of Wisconsin.
“In Wisconsin, we believe every child deserves a great school,”
said Johnson, who serves on the NEA Fund Council. “John Kerry
is the best candidate to help fulfill that promise.”
The NEA Fund Council considers candidates for federal office by reviewing
their voting records and public statements on issues affecting children
and public education, and their answers to a written questionnaire.
The decision to recommend Kerry was based on his support for children
and public education. Throughout his 20 years of public service, he
has fought for adequate funding for education and has argued against
private school voucher programs.
On his questionnaire, Kerry indicated his concerns with the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act, sometimes referred to as the No Child Left
Behind law. That legislation requires increased standardized testing
of students, but fails to adequately fund its mandates.
"One of my first priorities will be to live up to the funding
commitments made in the No Child Left Behind act," Kerry said.
"We believe that Sen. Kerry is a candidate who understands that
leadership is more than memorable slogans and that you can't have reform
without resources," NEA President Reg Weaver said.
Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly will convene in Washington,
D.C., July 2-7, and will vote on the NEA Fund Council's recommendation
of Kerry July 5.
The NEA Fund Council also recommended Kerry for the primary presidential
nomination. All presidential candidates were invited to participate
in the political recommendation process but President Bush declined
to participate.
Posted April 30, 2004