    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 22, 1997]
    [Pages 187-188]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Albert Shanker
    February 22, 1997

        Hillary and I were deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of
    Albert Shanker. Al spent his life in pursuit of one of the noblest of
    causes, the improvement of our public schools. Since 1964, he led
    educational organizations, first as the president of the United
    Federation of Teachers in New York and for 22 years as the president of
    the American Federation of Teachers. He challenged the country's
    teachers and schools to provide our children with the very best
    education possible and made a crusade out of the need for educational
    standards. He believed, as I do, that children should not go through
    school without learning the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Eadie, and his family
    tonight.

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