Archive for April, 2007
ALEXANDRIA – The Virginia Education Association, Virginia’s largest teachers’ union, announced Friday that it endorses Del. David Englin (D-45) for re-election to the House of Delegates in this year’s November election.
“We stand with those who stand for public education,” said Princess Moss, Chairperson of the VEA Political Action Committee. “The challenges are great, and we believe our recommended candidates will make education a priority.”
“As the father of a son in an Alexandria public school, I am especially honored to have the support of the VEA and the teachers they represent across Virginia. I know first-hand how important teachers are to making sure Virginia’s children receive a first-rate education,” said Englin. “This endorsement is also meaningful to me because my late mother was a public school teacher and a lifelong member of the National Education Association. I will continue to work hard to ensure that in the 45th District and across Virginia teachers are paid what they’re worth and treated as professionals.”
A key part of Englin’s agenda to improve education in Virginia is to raise teachers’ pay to the national average. Despite recent gains, which Englin helped achieve, teachers across the state are still paid more than $5,000 less than the national average.
“If we want Virginia’s public schools to attract and retain the best teachers we need to raise teachers pay to least the national average, or risk losing qualified teachers,” said Englin. “I will continue to work with other education advocates in the General Assembly for state money to help localities close that gap.”
The endorsement — called a “recommendation” in VEA parlance — came from the VEA’s political action committee, which is the union’s political arm and is funded entirely by voluntary contributions of VEA members.
Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) of Alexandria will hold its first commencement ceremony in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, on May 11, 2007. A dessert reception will follow immediately in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall celebrating the accomplishments of PLTI-Alexandria’s first graduating class.
“Congratulations to this inaugural class of Parent-Leader graduates, and to Joyce Woodson and Fay Slotnick, whose energy and drive have brought this terrific program to our community,” said David.
Mayor Bill Euille and former City Councilwoman Joyce Woodson will award certificates to the 17 city residents who have successfully completed the program.
PLTI of Alexandria, in cooperation with the Connecticut Commission on Children and in partnership with the City of Alexandria and Hopkins House, provides instruction to city residents on topics dealing with community and government structure and related functions, including leadership and advocacy skills. Course participants are required to attend 20 weekly classes, and design a community-based program benefiting children.
“This training initiative has empowered motivated parents to be effective change agents in Alexandria. We are graduating informed people who will use democracy tools to participate more fully in community and school life for the betterment of children,” said Joyce Woodson, former council member. Woodson observed a presentation of
Connecticut’s PLTI program a few years ago and was driven to have Alexandria establish its own branch.
Fay Slotnick, PLTI Program Coordinator said, “It is an incredible privilege being involved with this emerging community of high-performing parent leaders. I look forward to working with alumni and our second cohort group this fall.”
PLTI seeks to enable parents to become leading advocates for children. The curriculum teaches parents who wish to improve the lifelong health, safety and learning of children to become change agents for the next generation.
For further information, please visit the PLTI web site at www.PLTI-ALEX.org or contact Fay Slotnick at info@PLTI-ALEX.org or 703-739-0233.
David joined hundreds of children and their families at Bucknell Elementary School in Mount Vernon today for the opening ceremonies of the 2007 season of the Alexandria Potomac Little League. After opening remarks and introductions by the organizers, David and each of the other elected officials present threw ceremonial first pitches to a line of Little League catchers.
“Congratulations on the start of the season, and congratulations and thank you to all of the parents and volunteers and organizers who make this happen,” said David. “Play well, have fun, and have a great season.”
Caleb joined David for today’s ceremony, and was especially excited to meet the event’s special guest, Washington Nationals mascot Screech.
The Alexandria Potomac Little League is the oldest Little League organization in Northern Virginia, covering parts of Mount Vernon and Lee in Fairfax County, including all of the Fairfax County parts of the 45th District.
ALEXANDRIA – Delegate David Englin today filed the papers necessary to formally begin his bid for re-election to the House of Delegates. Currently serving his first term representing the 45th District, Englin has already earned a reputation as a strong, effective, progressive leader, whose tireless grassroots approach and year-round devotion to constituent services have solidified his support among constituents and colleagues alike.
“David is clearly one of the rising stars of the General Assembly,” said Delegate Robert H. Brink (D-Arlington). “He can always be counted on to fight for his constituents and for the progressive values of his district, yet he has also built relationships across the aisle that help him deliver on his legislative goals.”
During the 2007 General Assembly session, Englin successfully championed legislation to protect equal rights in hospital visitation, create tools to preserve affordable rental housing, expand minimum wage protections to seniors, expand access to discount prescription drugs, promote energy conservation, and strengthen insurance notification for flood-prone homeowners.
“This past year and a half representing the people of the 45th District has been the greatest honor of my life,” said Englin. “With the help and support of friends and neighbors throughout our community, together we have moved Virginia a little farther along in the direction of progress. I hope my constituents will look at my record of strong, effective, progressive leadership and will re-hire me so that I may continue to serve, so we can continue to fight for progress together.”
Every one of Englin’s General Assembly colleagues from the immediate area announced their support for Englin’s re-election: Delegate Brian J. Moran, Chairman, House Democratic Caucus; Delegate Adam Ebbin; Delegate Robert Brink; Delegate Albert Eisenberg; Delegate Kristen Amundson; Delegate Mark Sickles; Senator Dick Saslaw, Senate Democratic Leader; Senator Patsy Ticer; Senator Mary Margaret Whipple; and Senator Toddy Puller.
The following is a partial list of the General Assembly colleagues from across Virginia who have also announced their support: Delegate Ward Armstrong, House Democratic Leader; Senator Creigh Deeds; Delegate Mamye BaCote; Delegate William Barlow; Delegate Dan Bowling; Delegate David Bulova; Delegate Chuck Caputo; Delegate Rosalyn Dance; Delegate Robert Hull; Delegate Lynwood Lewis; Delegate David Marsden; Delegate Jennifer McClellan; Delegate Donald McEachin; Delegate Kenneth Melvin; Delegate Paula Miller; Delegate Kenneth Plum; Delegate David Poisson; Delegate James Scott; Delegate Stephen Shannon; Delegate James Shuler; Delegate Lionell Spruill; Delegate David Toscano; and Delegate Vivian Watts.
“I’m honored that so many of my colleagues have pledged their support,” said Englin. “I look forward to working together in the weeks and months ahead to deliver hope and progress for the 45th District and for all Virginians.”
Other endorsements from state and local leaders will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
In November 2005, Englin won the 45th District seat with nearly 68 percent of the vote against a Republican opponent. In June 2005, in his first bid for elected office, Englin won a competitive six-way primary for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Delegate Marian Van Landingham. The 45th District includes parts of the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, and Fairfax County.
Englin serves on the Privileges and Elections Committee, and the Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee. He also serves on special joint subcommittees to improve math, science, and technology education and to increase telework opportunities, and he is a member of the Virginia Geographic Information Systems Advisory Board.
Go to www.DavidEnglin.org for more information about Englin and his re-election campaign.
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A packed house of Team Englin volunteers turned out last night to do the hard grassroots work necessary to make sure David again becomes the Democratic nominee and is re-elected this November.
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful that so many people would come out to support our fight for progress,” said David. “With your help taking our message to the voters, I’m confident that the people of the 45th District will re-hire me and allow me to continue to serve.”
By this morning, “Englin for Delegate” signs began springing up in yards in every corner of the 45th District, from Hollin Hills to Beverly Hills, and from Old Town to the public housing projects to Del Ray, Rosemont, and South Arlington.
“The reaction from constituents to the prospect of a primary challenge has been overwhelming,” said David. “I really can’t thank everyone enough for their strong support.”
