NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact             Lisa Church
                                                               660-826-2822
January 18, 2008

Pearce to be Panel Member at Music Educators Conference

State Rep. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg (District 121), will serve as a panel member during the 2008 conference of the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) on January 25 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks.  The conference is expected to attract attendance of around 5,000 teachers, parents and performing students.

The focus of the panel will be “What can I do to influence decisions made at the state/local level that affect our school’s music program?” and will include topics that pertain to the legislative process and its role in music education.  Rep. Pearce will offer insight into policy and decision making as well as deliver his own opinions on issues presented.

The Missouri Music Educators Association affirms that music education helps students excel in multiple academic areas as well as boosts standardized testing scores.  The MMEA also maintains that arts education fosters an improved atmosphere for learning and develops skills critical to the 21st century workforce.

“I value the contributions made by the Missouri Music Educators Association to our children’s education and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their conference,” said Pearce.  “I look forward to meeting with them and participating in the panel.”

Joining the MMEA panel discussion will be Ms. Kyna Iman who lobbies on behalf of the Missouri Citizens for the Arts.

Rep. Pearce and Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield (District 138), co-chair the Missouri Arts Caucus in the Missouri House of Representatives.