LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT

The National Council of State Legislators (NCSL) convened it’s “Summit” the week of 25 July at the Philadelphia Convention Center and I was there, along with several other Alaska legislators. The convention highlight was a presentation of Bill Gates on how to improve public education. Basically, his message was that quality teachers are far more important than buildings, technology, or anything else. Common sense from an uncommon man. There were breakout issue study groups on various topics. One of the best educational experiences was being able to interface with legislators from different states and learn from each other.

The NCSL meeting also gave us an opportunity to visit Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were written, and to see the Liberty Bell that rang out America’s independence. I also communed with "President George Washington": see photo - he's the tall man on the right