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BAD-02-08-10988.CTA 2/7/08 12:00 PM Page 1**nbkjy5z�**Users:nbkjy5z:Desktop: Enjoy the rewards. starving schools In August, a group of educators, school employees and school board members brought their hunger strike to the state Capitol. Spearheaded by a CTA member from Rio Vista who serves on the Oxnard school board, the group and three lawmakers warned the governor and legislators that their budget cuts were “starving public education.” They put their stomachs where their hearts are — in support of public education and students. Last month a group of Oxnard area educators, including Rio Vista elementary teacher and CTA member Denis O’Leary, brought their hunger strike to the state Capitol protesting the governor’s education cuts. O’Leary, who also serves as president of the Oxnard school board, California School Employees Association member Esmeralda Ahumada, and school board member Ana Del Rio-Barba were joined by Assembly Members Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), and Tom Torlakson (D-Mar tinez) at a Capitol news conference. They told reporters they were protesting the negative effect the cuts were having on students. The hunger strikers spent nearly seven full days in a park in Oxnard, collecting signatures on petitions and letters to the governor protesting the devastating education reductions. They planned to turn the petitions and letters with more than 1,000 signatures over to the governor’s office. O’Leary called on the governor to “stand up and help our students and the future of California.” Del Rio-Barba, who sparked the hunger strike, said observers told her that their sacrifice wouldn’t matter to public officials in Sacramento. “It’s not about Sacramento, it’s about children — and we can’t sit back and let it happen.” Assembly Member Nava declared that he was introducing legislation to impose an oil severance tax on every barrel of oil taken out of the ground in the state. He said the tax would raise more than $1.5 billion, funds that could be used to “feed” starving schools. “Even Alaska and Governor Palin and virtually every other state have oil severance taxes,” said Nava. Len FeLdman Hunger strikers warn about Get something back for your everyday purchases. Use your California Teachers Association Visa® Card with WorldPoints® rewards from Bank of America, and you’ll earn points you can redeem for cash, travel, merchandise, even unique adventures.� Rewards for the things you buy anyway. Plus ongoing support for the California Teachers Association. 1.866.438.6262 Use Priority Code FACBGVwhen calling. For information about the rates, fees, and other costs and benefits associated with the use of this Rewards card, or to apply, call the toll free number above, or write to P.O. Box 15020, Wilmington, DE 19850. � Terms apply to program features and Credit Card account benefits. For more information about the program, visit bankofamerica.com/worldpoints. Details accompany new account materials. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. The WorldPoints program is managed in part by independent third parties, including a travel agency registered to do business in California (Reg. No. 2036509-50); Ohio (Reg. No. 87890286); Washington (6011237430) and other states, as required. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association, and is used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. WorldPoints, the WorldPoints design and Platinum Plus are registered trademarks of FIA Card Services, N.A. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. All other company and product names and logos are the property of others and their use does not imply endorsement of, or an association with, the WorldPoints program. ©2008 Bank of America Corporation T-709149-092107 BAD-02-08-10988 september 2009 | www.cta.org 33