Pre-K Now News Conference - April 23, 2008

Pre-K Now News Conference - April 23, 2008 - The Martha O'Byran Center Nashville, Tenn.

Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee's pre-K program received national recognition on April 23, 2008, from Pre-K Now, a D.C.-based education advocacy group. The group released its annual state-by-state analysis of leadership on early education at a news conference held in one of three pre-K classrooms at the Martha O'Bryan Center in Nashville. At the event, Pre-K Now's executive director, Libby Doggett, praised Gov. Bredesen and 16 other executives from across the country for their leadership in proposing an increase in funding for pre-K programs in spite of significant economic and political challenges that many of these states are facing. “We're here in Tennessee because this report is all about leadership,” said Doggett. “And, governor, you're one of our great heroes in this report because we really believe, as the report says, that leadership matters.” To download Pre-K Now's report, click here. To read more about Tennessee and Gov. Bredesen's role in the report, click here. To listen to an excerpt from the news conference at Martha O'Bryan, click here.

A Martha O'Bryan pre-K student leads Gov. Phil Bredesen to the classroom where the news conference is held.	Gov. Phil Bredesen tells the pre-K students that he'll read to them after the news conference is over.

Libby Doggett, executive director of Pre-K Now, acknowledges the support of (left to right) Rep. Gary Odom (D-Nashville); Sen. Joe Haynes (D-Nashville); Gov. Phil Bredesen; and Marsha Edwards, the CEO of the Martha O'Bryan Center.	Martha O'Bryan pre-K students listen as the news conference takes place in their classroom.

	(L-R) Ralph Mosley (Martha O'Bryan supporter and volunteer); Marsha Edwards (president and CEO of the Martha O'Bryan Center); Gov. Phil Bredesen

Gov. Phil Bredesen reads The Little Engine That Could to the class.	Students participate as the governor reads to them.