First Lady Honored

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton received the Friend of Education award, the National Education Association’s highest honor, on Monday for her commitment to public education. In addition to her work for smaller school classes and other classroom improvements, Clinton has promoted childhood immunization and equal access to quality education for girls and students with special needs, NEA President Bob Chase said. “Hillary is a unique woman and a national treasure,” Chase told 9,000 delegates at the group’s 137th representative assembly in Orlando, Fla. “She has spoken passionately about the need to reduce class sizes and other critical issues. She is among our staunchest allies and dearest friends.”