Bilik’s Speech Earns National Recognition

NJSBA earned a distinguished honor this month with the publication in Vital Speeches of the Day of the address by executive director Marie Bilik to the May 15 Delegate Assembly.

Vital Speeches of the Day is a monthly collection of addresses by the nation’s government and corporate leaders. In addition to Marie, contributors to this month’s edition include President Obama; Robert Gates, U.S. secretary of defense; David Petraeus, leader of the U.S. Central Command; and Dennis Blair, director of National Intelligence.

Through her address, titled “Public Schools Must Thrive – Not Just Survive – in Troubled Times,” Marie wanted to focus the NJSBA delegates on the role of local school boards in advancing public education, despite severe economic difficulties.

Although their names are not mentioned, some of America’s most prominent speechwriters worked on the addresses that appear in the publication. “Mike Yaple, NJSBA’s public affairs officer, constructed an excellent vehicle that conveyed Marie’s sentiments clearly and strongly,” said Frank Belluscio, NJSBA’s communications director.

The text of the speech is online.

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