Just got an e-mail, one of dozens of repsonses along this same line, congratulating us for a "fantastic conference...Growth & Justice continues to exceed all expectations for quality work.'' Another typical response, this one from someone who was NOT at our education summit on Monday but only heard about it: "It's a great idea to bring together legislators with academics.''
Star Tribune education reporter Jim Walsh, in a metro section news story (here) about our Smart Investments in Minnesota's Students summit conference, caught its distinctiveness this way:
"Monday's forum was notable in that it included legislative leaders from both parties'' and Walsh went on to note that "cost-benefit data presented Monday can help the Legislature make good choices on education.'' Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, was quoted as saying, "We as leaders...need to pick up that torch.''
We knew going in to the History Center on Monday morning that we had a first-rate product to deliver. But all the staff and several board members present were taken aback by the turnout (more than 250, most of whom stayed all day and participated vigorously in break-out sessions), the quality and depth in the power-point presentations by our commissioned scholars, the strong attendance by dozens of legislators and their staff (many of whom were on an official state holiday) and the genuine outpouring of positive feedback. The general theme is that we were providing honest, meaningful, useful facts to help shape a crucial debate over how to best invest in the future of Minnesota.
This was a team effort and I'm very proud of the energy and initiative of every single member of this staff in putting on a nearly flawless demonstration of what Growth & Justice is all about. But we have to single out Policy & Research Director Angie Eilers, for her tireless and intelligent leadership on this initiative, our top-notch steering committee and board of advisers, and the direction given to this project more than a year ago by our board of directors and its chairman, Joel Kramer. And and last but by no means last we owe thanks to our generous and far-sighted foundation supporters (The Saint Paul Foundation, the F.R. Bigelow Foundation, the Blandin Foundation, the Travelers Foundation, Cargill Foundation, ADC Foundation, and the Willis C. Helm Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation).
Dane Smith
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