(Harrisburg, PA)—Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has been selected to receive the prestigious Educational Excellence Award for 2007 from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association). Senator Specter will be presented with the award during the annual banquet held in conjunction with the PA Principals Association’s Fifthteenth Annual State Conference, Sunday, October 21, 2007, at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, Harrisburg, Pa.

The award is given to a person who has been a “friend of public education” and who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the Commonwealth’s elementary and secondary schools.

Senator Specter is perhaps one of the most ardent supporters of public education and education funding at the federal level.

Senator Specter is currently serving his fifth term, and in 2005, he became Pennsylvania’s longest serving U.S. Senator. He is ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations and Veterans Affairs committees. Under his leadership, funding for education has increased more than 130%.

Senator Specter supported the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, however he feels there should be state flexibility in its implementation.

Senator Specter continues to be a force on Capitol Hill and an advocate of public education. He is to be commended for his continued support of children.

He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Joan. They have two sons and four grandchildren.

For further information or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PA Principals Association director of communications at (717) 732-4999 (office telephone), (717) 395-6814 (cell) or e-mail: sherit@paprincipals.org.

PA Principals Association’s Mission: The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals is dedicated to assuring that every Pennsylvania child receives the very best education possible. In carrying out this mission, the association recognizes that the early elementary years are most crucial to successful lifelong learning, that appropriate middle level programs are essential for successful adolescent maturation and development and that strong high school programs are critical for preparing youth for successful entry and transition into adulthood.

PA Principals Association recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.