CHARLIE CRIST
GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007 CONTACT: GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE (850) 488-5394
Governor Crist Addresses United Negro College Fund Luncheon
~Emphasizes importance of education as a foundation for success~
FORT LAUDERDALE – Governor Charlie Crist today addressed supporters of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The Governor, a lifelong member of the St. Petersburg Chapter of the NAACP, spoke to the audience about his commitment to equal opportunity for all Floridians to have academic and economic success. “I believe that education and economic development are the best weapons against discrimination,” Governor Crist said. “The United Negro College Fund’s dedication to students around the nation is commendable. I appreciate all they do to ensure students are given the tools they need to succeed.” Governor Crist was joined at the event by UNCF regional vice president Maurice Jenkins, Florida Memorial College president Dr. Karl Wright and Bethune-Cookman University president Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed. Earlier this year, the Governor accepted the invitation to serve a two-year term as UNCF's Florida fundraising campaign chairman. Governor Crist addressed the MatchMaker Conference and Trade Fair in November to highlight the importance of minority- and women-owned businesses to Florida’s economy. The conference’s focus was linking minority and women entrepreneurs with state government and corporate sponsors. Earlier this week, Governor Crist attended a rally to applaud the efforts of over 100 corporations who have contributed to the Corporate Tax Credit Program (CTC). At the rally, the Governor celebrated the achievements of the Step Up for Students scholarship program, an initiative of the CTC, which provides a means for low-income students to attend private schools or public schools outside of their district. Governor Crist has led the way on several initiatives that increase opportunity for all Floridians. In April, he introduced a change in the Rules of Executive Clemency that provides for the restoration of the civil rights for certain ex-offenders. Governor Crist also encouraged the Florida Legislature to approve compensation for the family of Martin Lee Anderson for the wrongful death of their son. - more -
Governor Crist Addresses United Negro College Fund Luncheon Page 2 Additionally, Governor Crist has supported and signed legislation that requires the Florida State Board of Administration to identify all investments of the Florida Retirement System in companies conducting certain types of business operations with either Iran or Sudan. In 2003, as Attorney General, Governor Crist proposed and secured passage of the Marvin Davies Civil Rights Act, which for the first time in our state’s history provides the Attorney General with the authority to initiate civil rights actions.
About the United Negro College Fund The United Negro College Fund is the nation’s oldest minority higher education assistance organization. UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 65,000 students each year to attend more than 950 colleges and universities, including every Florida college and university. UNCF helps promising students attend college and graduate by providing operating funds for its 39 member colleges, including Edward Waters College, Bethune Cookman University and Florida Memorial University. UNCF administers 300 scholarship and internship programs and serves as a national advocate for minority higher education. ###