Building an Early Learning Nation is Focus of Panel at Mayors Annual Meeting

DALLAS, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the nation's mayors gather tomorrow, Friday, June 20 2014 in Dallas, Texas for the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) meeting, building an early learning nation takes center stage to kick off the event.  U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Mayor Michael Hancock of Denver, and Institute for Learning and Brain Science (at the University of Washington) Co-Director Dr. Pat Kuhl will speak on the urgency of building an early learning nation and making this a national commitment through city and community-based action.

The president of the Bezos Family Foundation, Jackie Bezos, will introduce the panel which will be moderated by award winning National Public Radio journalist and commentator, John Hockenberry.

Later in the conference, the mayors will vote on a resolution calling for a national commitment to building an early learning nation by 2025. The resolution has been introduced by Seattle's Mayor Ed Murray and is co-sponsored by 17 other mayors from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon.

Where:  Omni Dallas Hotel, Trinity Ballroom 6-8, 555 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX

When:  Saturday, June 21, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (Central Summer Time) Plenary Breakfast session.

What:  "Creating an Early Learning Nation": A panel discussion featuring U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Institute for Learning and Brain Science (at the University of Washington) Co-Director Pat Kuhl. Introductions by Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento (and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors), Mayor Ed Murray (Seattle) and Bezos Family Foundation president Jackie Bezos. Panel moderated by John Hockenberry of National Public Radio.

Who:  Nearly 300 mayors from across the United States along with deputy mayors, city managers and key staff. Anticipated panel audience attendance is 700.

Open Press

Media interested in attending this panel should register with ELENA TEMPLE-WEBB, director of public affairs for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. News media representatives may register at the Conference Press Office beginning at 7:00 a.m., Friday, June 20. The Press Office is located in 'Arts District 6, 2^nd Level, Omni Hotel.'

SOURCE Bezos Family Foundation