CAT Tracks for July 6, 2002

CAT Tracks for July 6, 2002

A FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES

The National Education Association's Representative Assembly in Dallas, Texas, concluded late Friday night. The BIG news is that Illinois was successful in electing its favorite son REG WEAVER as the new President of the NEA! What follows is the story that was sent out on the IEA's e-mail system:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Illinois Education Association Hails Election of Reg Weaver as NEA President
Former Harvey Teacher Will Head 2.7 Million-Member Organization

SPRINGFIELD, IL - July 3, 2002 - The leader of Illinois’ largest education employee organization today said she is elated by the election of Reg Weaver, a former science teacher from Harvey, as president of the National Education Association (NEA).
“This is a great day for everyone who cares about public education in our country,” said Anne Davis, president of the Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA), who taught with Weaver for many years in the Harvey school district.
“Reg has devoted his entire adult life to improving education for students and education employees; first as a teacher, then as a local leader and IEA-NEA president. His election is great news for students and school employees everywhere.”
Weaver taught in District 152 in Harvey, Illinois and held a number of leadership positions in IEA before becoming, in 1981, the first African-American elected as the organization’s president.
During his IEA presidency, collective bargaining legislation was passed in Illinois. The act empowered Illinois teachers, ESPs and Higher Education Faculty to bargain for their rights, said Davis.
In 1996, Weaver was elected to his current position, vice-president of the National Education Association.
“Reg Weaver is precisely the person public education needs to articulate the concerns and the vision of the true education experts; the men and women who work in classrooms and school buildings throughout our country,” Davis said.
“His election is a much-deserved honor and we all expect great things from Reg’s presidency,” she added.
The Illinois Education Association-NEA, with more than 115,000 members, is the largest organization of education employees in Illinois.

Not only is Reg Weaver from Illinois, he "knows" Cairo! A few of you "veterans" may have met Reg when he came to Cairo in 1978. Reg made the trip "south" to lend support to the CAT's successful struggle for recognition.
Reg is one dynamic individual who will bring new energy to the NEA. A very special CAT congratulations to our new president, Reg Weaver!