CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP FOR THE NATION AND AFT
TO BE THE FOCUS OF AFT’S CONVENTION JULY 14-17

John Kerry Will Address American Federation of Teachers Delegates on Friday, July 16, Convention to Elect New Union President and Other Top Officers

Washington, D.C. — Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will address more than 3,000 delegates to the American Federation of Teachers convention in Washington next month and AFT President Sandra Feldman will deliver her final keynote address as the union’s president. Feldman is stepping down for health reasons after seven years as AFT’s top leader.

During the four-day convention, to be held at the Washington Convention Center, delegates will elect a new president, secretary-treasurer and executive vice president. Delegates also will debate and vote on a number of policy resolutions on such subjects as the No Child Left Behind Act, privatization, early childhood education, reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, new overtime regulations, the economy and jobs, Iraq and democracy, and the Patriot Act.

Scheduled Speakers:

• Keynote address by AFT President Sandra Feldman (Wednesday, July 14, 9:30 a.m.).

• Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton to receive AFT’s Bayard Rustin Award (Thursday, July 15, 12:30 p.m.).

• Azar Nafisi, author of the best-selling novel, Reading Lolita in Tehran (Friday, July 16, 10 a.m.).

• Address by Sen. John Kerry (Friday, July 16, time to be determined).

Major Report to be Released:

• Annual AFT Teacher Salary Survey (Thursday, July 15)
  

Reporters wishing to attend the convention are encouraged to contact the AFT Public Affairs Department as soon as possible for hotel information.

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