Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 17
SEP-17-1999 10:28A FROM:NIEA J CHEEK 7038383653 TO: 2024562889 P:2/11 CIEA NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 700 NORTH FAIRFAX STREET SUITE 210 ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 703-838-2870 FAX 703-838-1620 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.niea.org TO : Adriane LaValle The White House FROM : John W. Cheek D Executive Director SUBJECT : Talking Points for Vice President Al Gore Video Production DATE September 16, 1999 Sorry for the delay in getting this to you. If you have any questions or need any other information, please contact me at the number above. The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is quite excited that Vice President Al Gore has agreed to make a video-taped recording for our annual convention which is scheduled for October 17-20 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The date for playback of the tape is Monday, October 18, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. Our vision of what the Vice President should speak on obviously includes supporting Indian education concerns through various initiatives including, but not limited to, the Executive Order on American Indian and Alaska Native education signed August 6, 1998; the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); an increased research agenda on various Indian education issues which to date have been limited in quality and quantity; and support for full funding for school modernization needs at Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools. Other topics the Vice President deems appropriate may be included as well. Background Information The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is a non-profit American Indian and Alaska Native education organization dedicated to the preservation of education for Indian people. NIEA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is encouraged by the commitment the Administration has shown on behalf of all American Indian issues including education. Throughout its existence, NIEA has proven to be a formidable advocate on behalf of Indian education concerns. This is evident by NIEA's involvement in every major Indian education initiative since 1969 including every reauthorization of the Indian Education Act of 1972; involvement in the White House Conference on Indian Education; participation with the White House during the historic tribal leaders meeting in 1994; supporting the development of the Executive Order on American Indian and Alaska Native Education throughout its development end eventual singing; presenting annual testimony before House and Senate Congressional Committees on behalf of funding for Indian education programs; testifying on other education- related issues and providing a public forum during its annual convention for in-depth discussions on various Indian education topics.