FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Contact: Megan Fitzgerald
February 25, 2003                                 (703) 683-9312; mfitzgerald@acteonline.org


ALEXANDRIA, VA?U.S. Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH) will be honored as the 2003 National Policy Maker of the Year on Monday March 17, 2003 during the Association for Career and Technical Education?s (ACTE) annual National Policy Seminar in Washington, DC.

Congressman Regula is being recognized by ACTE for his constant support for the expansion and improvement of career and technical education. In the 107th Congress, Congressman Regula was selected as the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. In this position, he was instrumental in the approval of an additional $80 million in federal funding for career and technical education. This has been the largest increase in funding for career and technical education in more than a decade.

Throughout his career Congressman Regula has put education first. He began his career as a school teacher, then principal of Stark County Schools, and later went on to serve on the Ohio Board of Education. The Congressman served as State House Representative and State Senator before beginning his work in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman Ralph Regula earned his BA from Mount Union College and his law degree from the McKinley School of Law. His military background includes two years of active duty with the U.S. Navy. Congressman Regula resides in Navarre, Ohio with his wife Mary.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in it?s 77th year, ACTE?s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

February 25, 2003                          ###                               NR#03-007