“Florida’s Hispanic community is a vital part of the historical, cultural and economic foundation of the Sunshine State,” Governor Crist said. “Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time to recognize the contributions our Hispanic-Americans and their impact on our state’s past, present and future.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide beginning September 15, 2010. All contest entries must be by postmarked by September 20, 2010, and each student is limited to one entry per contest. Winners will be notified the week of October 4, 2010. Awards will be presented at the Governor’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Tallahassee in October. All contest entries must be mailed to the Executive Office of the Governor, Attention: Hispanic Heritage Month Contests, 400 South Monroe Street, Suite LL-10, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

Each winner will receive a prize which will be awarded at the Governor’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration to be held in Tallahassee

About the Student Contests

Art Contest for Grades K-3 – The Hispanic Heritage Month art contest is open to all Florida students in grades K-3, and two winners will be selected. Please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com download complete guidelines and entry forms.

Grades K-3 Art Prompt: Luis Nuñez is a Hispanic-American artist living in Florida. How do his paintings “Egret and Mangroves,” “Blue Heron,” and “They’re Humans, Junior, Let’s Go” make you feel about the importance of protecting Florida’s wildlife, marshes, and beaches? Draw a picture of your favorite animal that is native to Florida, showing it in its natural habitat.

Essay Contest for Grades 4-12 – The Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest is open to all 4th through 12th grade students in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary (grades 4-5) student, one middle (grades 6-8) student, and one high school (grades 9-12) student. Please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com to download complete guidelines and entry forms.

Grades 4 and 5 Writing Prompt: There are many well-known Hispanic Floridians who have made contributions to Florida’s history and economy. Discuss a well-known Hispanic Floridian whose contribution has made a difference in your life or your community.

Grades 6 – 12 Writing Prompt: Florida’s theme for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is “Recognizing Florida’s Hispanic Heritage: Past, Present and Future”. Interview and describe a Hispanic-American whom you know who has devoted his or her life to the service of others. How has this person’s life strengthened his or her community and Florida as a state?

About the Teacher Contest

Governor Crist’s annual Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all Hispanic, full- time educators at an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary (grades K-5), one middle school (grades 6-8) and one high school (grades 9-12).

About Hispanic Heritage Month

Several Latin American countries celebrate the anniversaries of independence during Hispanic Heritage Month. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate independence on September 15. Mexico achieved independence on September 16, and Chile, on September 18. Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1974 when President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation extending Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long celebration, from September 15 through October 15.

Additional information about Florida’s Hispanic heritage, contests and other related events is available on the Web site www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.

“The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program offers families an invaluable opportunity to choose a learning environment that gives their children the best chance for success,” said Governor Crist. “I am confident Floride will continue to provide more educational opportunities and options with the partnership of the business community through great programs like this.”

Senate Bill 2126 increases the tax cap credit from $118 million to $140 million in Fiscal Year 2010-11. After Fiscal Year 2010-11, the cap will automatically increase by 25 percent one year after the total tax credits equal or exceed 90 percent of the capped amount. This legislation also shifts the tax scholarship amount per student from a fixed award amount, currently $3,950, to 60 percent of the per-student funding for students attending public school. Thereafter, the scholarship award will increase four percent in any year in which the tax credit cap increases. The scholarship award will be capped at 80 percent of FEFP unweighted student funding.

This bill also revises student eligibility, allowing families whose income increases to a maximum of 230 percent of the federal poverty level to continue to receive the scholarship at a reduced level. Accountability for participating private schools is also enhanced by requiring private schools that receive more than $250,000 in scholarship funds per year to submit a financial report prepared by an independent certified public accountant.

During his remarks, Governor Crist emphasized the importance of school choice and the ability of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program to increase educational opportunities for Florida students. In the 2008-09 fiscal year, $88.6 million in scholarships were awarded to nearly 25,000 students enrolled in more than 1,000 participating Florida private schools, which was an enrollment increase of more than fifteen percent from the previous school year. According to Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program is saving Florida taxpayers an estimated $39 million a year.

For more information about the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship program, visit www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/ctc/.

This “invitation-only” special event is co-organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Office Partnership (UNOP), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), in collaboration with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP).

The forum will open with a special address by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the UN and will consist of two leadership dialogues:
* Ending violence against women and girls, and
* Promoting women’s economic empowerment.

Participating as panelists in the dialogue will be leading CEOs including Mr. Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman of Hasbro, Inc., heads of foundations, high-level representatives of the UN system and leading NGOs. Ms. Gina Davis, an academy-award-winning actress, will provide concluding remarks and direction for follow-up action.

When asked his opinion about this invitation, Mr. Bernadel stated, “I am honored to have been selected to attend this special event at the United Nations. The discussions are in keeping with the commitment of Toussaint L’Ouverture High School for Arts & Social Justice to promote gender justice. “It is also,” continued Bernadel, “an aspect of Rethink Haiti, our outreach to Haiti, where gender equity and women’s empowerment are key components of development and national recovery.”

Bernadel intends to hold a seminar for TLHS students upon his return from the conference in order to share its insights.

More information: www.toussaintLouverture.org .

“Florida’s colleges play a unique and vital role in our state by providing an affordable education to students in all walks of life who want to develop, retool, refine and broaden their skills,” said Governor Crist. “Because of their ability to respond to local labor market needs, our colleges are uniquely positioned to prepare workers for high-demand, high-wage occupations that are critical to Florida’s economic recovery.”

Last week, as part of his 2010-11 budget priorities, Governor Crist recommended $2 billion to support Florida’s 28 community colleges, including a $67-million increase to meet rising enrollment. The Governor’s budget proposal also includes $9.5 million to maintain bachelor’s degree programs offered by colleges within the Florida College System. Currently, 14 of 28 Florida colleges offer more than 85 baccalaureate degree programs. Recommendations in the Governor’s budget also include $6 million for operational costs at new facilities, $13.7 million for costs associated with retirement benefits, and $96.8 million in continued funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

In addition to outlining his budget recommendations, Governor Crist recently called on Florida’s Talent Supply Chain – the Board of Governors, Agency for Workforce Innovation, Department of Education and Workforce Florida – to embrace a new era of collaboration by formally partnering with Florida’s business leaders to develop a strategic plan to ensure Florida’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a global, knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. The shared strategy will ensure students can access educational opportunities and gain skills that will increase Florida’s economic competitiveness.

Florida’s colleges remain the primary point of access to higher education in Florida, with 58 percent of the state’s high school graduates pursuing postsecondary education beginning at a Florida college, and 81 percent of freshman and sophomore minority students in public higher education attending one of Florida’s 28 colleges.

“Florida’s future depends on having a well educated and highly trained workforce,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “I am proud of the work the Florida College System is accomplishing to ensure that workforce demands are being met.”

For the seventh year in a row, Florida’s colleges continue to set a national example in the number of associate degrees awarded. According to Community College Week’s annual Top 10 report conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, Florida colleges are among the country’s top producers of associate degrees, the number of associate degrees awarded to minority students and the number of associate degrees awarded in the health professions and related sciences fields.

Despite the current economic challenges, Florida’s colleges continue to have an open-door admission policy, serving more than 845,000 students in 2009, an increase of 9.6 percent from the previous year. Early enrollment indicators also predict a robust year for college campuses throughout the state in 2010. In addition to enrolling a majority of the state’s prior year high school graduates who go on to postsecondary education, the state’s colleges are the institution of choice for many veterans taking advantage of the new GI Bill and for adult learners looking to bolster their personal and professional skills or prepare for a new career.

The Division of Florida Colleges provides dynamic leadership within the Florida College System and works to promote education innovation and continuous improvement that fuels economic development for the state and its citizens. For more information about the Florida College System, visit www.fldoe.org/CC/.

The Governor encouraged students to continue making education a priority by practicing a healthy lifestyle, studying diligently and listening to their teachers, parents and mentors. Governor Crist thanked participating principals and Food Brings Hope program founder, Forough B. Hosseini, for working to give children proper nutrition that will improve their health and education throughout their lives. Mayor Fred Costello of Ormond Beach and Ray Salazar, president of United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, also joined the Governor to support the initiative.

Food Brings Hope is a program that strives to end the poverty cycle for homeless and economically disadvantaged Volusia and Flager school-aged youth by emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition and offering solutions. Participating children are equipped with basic, necessary nutritional assistance and other educational services. Students who have participated in the program have reported an improvement in test scores and grades, a reduction in illness and absenteeism, and a decrease in disciplinary action. The program attributes its students’ successes to four key elements:

• Offer tutoring programs for extra school credit
• Provide transportation to and from school
• Create innovative learning activities program
• Implement a reward based system for completion of a tutoring series

For more information about the Food Brings Hope program, visit www.foodbringshope.org.

Kevin Tynan, 50, has been an attorney with Richardson and Tynan since 2001. Previously, he practiced with Entin, Margules and Della Ferra from 2000 to 2001. He served as staff counsel for the Florida Bar from 1988 to 2000, including managing disciplinary proceedings involving ethics issues. He has served on the Board of Commissioners, South Broward Hospital District, since 2002. He received his bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a law degree from Nova Center for the Study of Law.

Today’s appointment is the result of Governor Crist’s suspension of public officials due to criminal complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 23, 2009. Tynan will serve during Gallagher’s suspension.

“I am grateful to the Florida Legislature and the Seminole Tribe of Florida for their desire to provide much-needed funds for the children of our state,” Governor Crist said. “A ratified agreement will provide much needed revenue that can help us develop world-class schools throughout the Sunshine State.”

Last week, Newsweek magazine ranked Design & Architecture Senior High School (DASH) 99th in the nation. The ranking was based on a Challenge Index that takes the number of college preparatory tests taken by all students at a school in 2008 divided by the number of graduating seniors. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests were considered.

The legislation authorizes the Governor to negotiate a compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida by August 31, 2009. In exchange for significant sharing of profits, the agreement will give the tribe the right to operate certain games in the seven facilities on tribal lands. The Legislature must ratify the agreement, which will create revenue for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.

The compact will guarantee a minimum payment of $150 million annually under the parameters outlined in the legislation. In addition, the Tribe is required to make revenue sharing payments to the State of Florida based on the following annual amounts:

· 12 percent of profits up to $2.5 billion.

· 15 percent of profits between $2.5 billion and $3 billion.

· 20 percent of profits between $3 billion and $4 billion.

· 22.5 percent of profits between $4 billion and 4.5 billion.

· 25 percent of any profits above $4.5 billion.

The agreement also requires the Seminole Tribe of Florida to develop a compulsive gambling prevention program; submit records to an independent annual financial audit; and maintain a legal process for compensating individuals for injuries caused to patrons. The tribe will also limit admission to patrons age 21 and older.

Indian gaming casinos on Indian reservations fall under federal jurisdiction. The compact is required for the Seminole Tribe to offer “Class III gaming,” which includes including baccarat, chemin de fer, and blackjack. Class III games will be limited to tribal reservations only. Governor Crist commented that the federal government is likely to allow the tribe to operate Class III gaming, even if the state and tribe do not come to an agreement for profit sharing or oversight.

About Design & Architecture Senior High School (DASH)

DASH serves students from the entire Miami-Dade County area and has a curriculum that focuses on design careers in the arts, combined with a rigorous academic program. In the 2007-08 school year, 479 students were enrolled in grades 9-12, more than two-thirds of them from minority backgrounds. According to the College Board, DASH is an international leader in Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation and performance, with the largest number of African-American and Hispanic students scoring 3 or higher on the AP Studio Art exam.

A total of 23 Florida high schools were ranked in Newsweek’s top 100 schools. To see the complete list, visit www.newsweek.com/id/201160.

“We are making tremendous academic progress here in Florida and none of it would be possible without the support of a business community that truly values education,” said Governor Crist. “This generous contribution from AT&T is going to better the lives of our children and ensure that our state continues to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

The implementation of this new system is due in part to a $525,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation. The Foundation’s donation will allow the Florida Department of Education to supply laptop computers to kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms around the state to test this new technology. Using the laptops, teachers will conduct reading assessments where students participate in a series of real-time exercises to evaluate their reading abilities while teachers log their performance. The system will then process each student’s results and provide immediate feedback to help target instruction. The assessments unveiled today are part of the state’s larger pilot system known as the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading, or FAIR, which will provide teachers at all grade levels with screening, progress monitoring and diagnostic information essential to guiding reading instruction.

“The Department of Education has enhanced the reading assessment program for Florida students in grades kindergarten through 12 with a focus on a student’s individual needs,” said Criser. “This grant makes new devices available to more classrooms and upgrades the methods that are used to collect data, which will enhance the teacher’s ability to help their students.”

The kindergarten through 12th grade FAIR program will be piloted in select schools throughout the state during the months of April and May and will be available to all schools in each of Florida’s 67 school districts in the fall. The Florida Department of Education has worked in partnership with the Florida Center for Reading Research to develop the state’s reading assessment tools aimed at increasing student performance and enhancing the skills of our reading instructors.

“Proper reading skills are incredibly important to the success of our children and I cannot thank AT&T enough for contributing so much to such an important cause,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “As we work to expand our new reading assessments to all grade levels I am confident that every area of student learning will be positively impacted.”

For more information about FAIR, visit www.fldoe.org.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation’s fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation’s leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

For 25 years, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have been committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. As the AT&T Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, more than $160 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs in 2008 alone.

The CSP designation is conferred by the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the International Federation of Professional Speakers (IFPS) only on accomplished professional speakers who have earned it by meeting strict criteria. A CSP must document a proven track record of continuing speaking experience and expertise as well as a commitment to ongoing education, outstanding client service and ethical behavior. Dr. Brown is one of only 41 professionals to earn the CSP in the class of 2008. Dr. Brown will be honored during a ceremony on August 3rd at the 2008 NSA Convention in New York City.

Dr. Brown is president of SEBA(R) Solutions Inc., a Registered Education Provider for the Project Management Institute. He has provided training and consulting services for dozens of companies nationally and internationally. He provides keynote speeches on Leadership and his recent book “The Handbook of Program Management” (ISBN: 978-0071494724) published by McGraw Hill is available at www.ProgramManagementBook.com (redirects to Amazon.com). Dr. Brown is also a Professional Engineer (PE) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

The National Speakers Association (NSA) is the leading organization for professional speakers. NSA’s thousands of members include experts in a variety of industries and disciplines. Since 1973, NSA has provided resources and education designed to advance the skills, integrity and value of its members the speaking profession.

SEBA(R) Solutions Inc.
2802 Bellwind Circle, Viera, FL 32955
321-269-1222 fax:321-577-0210 www.sebasolutions.com