Annual Representative Assembly

At the 86th Representative Assembly, more than 9,000 delegates helped commemorate the Association's 150th anniversary and worked together to shape its future and what a better place to celebrate this anniversary than in Philadelphia where it all started. 52 delegates from all the State of Alaska attended RA. We faced a packed business agenda that included over 95 new business items to deal with. Our day started at 7:00 in the morning with our State Caucus meetings and didn't end until after 7:00 at night. Some of our members even started their day at 5:30 to review these new business items for their recommendation to our state delegate meetings. Several days we were able to listen to 8 leading candidates for President, both democrat and republic. Our days and nights were filled with, exhibits, booths, slide shows, music, skits, ESP of the Year, National Teacher of the Year, International guests, Richard Dreyfuss, remembering the victims of Virginia Tech, and an emotional point with the honoring of six of the Little Rock Nine Children who walked through the doors of a segregated high school in 1957. A 4th of July celebration, the 41st Human and Civil Rights Dinner, Friendship night that focused on the Associations history, and an Alaskan night that toured the city were also among the memorable events. NEA President Reg Weaver, as always, gave a powerful packed speech and will always be remembered for his laugh. His mantra this year was, " Ain't no stopping us now". WOW, what a start for a new year.

The start of the Representative Assembly.

This is our group listening to new business items being presented.

This is the back end of Nookie, our mascot bear, who had been abducted and held for ransom by the state of Arkansas. We did get him back, but he now suffers from PDS. "Parental Displacement Syndrome". He currently is in therapy. One of the many shenanigans done at RA.

NEA President, Reg Weaver, during one of his speeches.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, one of many presidential Candidates to speak.

Another picutre of just how many can fit into a hall and be cheering on for Education.

The Liberty Bell, was just one of many sites for us Alaskans to visit during Alaskan Nite

Part of the 52 delegates standing in line at Geno's Steak's for a Philly Cheesesteak experience. Want "Wiz" with that?

Last but not least, the whole Alaska Team NEA for a group photo shot