Education Commission of the States (ECS) Annual Meeting (July 2, 2008)
Remarks by Vicki Phillips, director, Education initiative
"In America, children do not have a right to fail—they have a right to succeed."
Texas High School Project Conference (December 5, 2007)
Remarks by Vicki Phillips, director, Education initiative
"We have a national responsibility to create the kind of opportunities that help our children secure a bright future—in the same way that generations before us worked to help us secure ours."
Double the Numbers Conference
(October 5, 2007)
Remarks by Vicki Phillips, director, Education initiative
"To double the number of low-income young people earning an associate's or bachelor's degree is a commitment that requires team work—a shared vision, a unified goal and a dogged determination to provide..."
National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies Conference (April 19, 2007)
Remarks by Katie Hong, interim director, Pacific Northwest initiative
"... I become more hopeful that we won’t always be separated by class—that we can still have strong communities where relationships and friendships can be formed and developed, despite our differences."
Ounce of Prevention Fund Luncheon
(April 17, 2007)
Prepared remarks by William H. Gates Sr., co-chair
"Imagine what it must be like for a child who isn’t ready for the first day of kindergarten. On one side of her is a girl writing her ABCs. On the other side is a boy who can tell time. And yet she doesn’t recognize a single letter."
Washington Learns Education Summit (November 13, 2006)
Prepared remarks by Bill Gates, co-chair
"In our foundation’s experience, school systems that truly excel—from early learning through high school—have four distinctive traits in their approach to education: high standards, clear accountability, flexible personnel practices, and a climate that encourages innovation."
Gulf Coast Library Grant Speech (June 22, 2006)
Remarks by Allan Golston, president, U.S. Program
"As people begin to rebuild their lives and communities, the need will increase for public libraries and public access to computers and technology. We want to help ensure that public libraries are open for service in the Gulf Coast."
United Way of King County Breakfast (June 7, 2006)
Prepared remarks by Melinda French Gates, co-chair
"I’d like to talk with you today about our common efforts in homelessness and early learning—and also about the historical link between our family’s giving and the United Way of King County."
Testimony on SB 6466 - Senate Early Learning, K-12 and Higher Education Committee (January 18, 2006)
Delivered by Greg Shaw, director, Early Learning
"...we have become convinced that early learning—beginning at birth—is the best investment that we can make to improve outcomes and ensure that children have the opportunity to become successful adults."
Texas Conference for Women (October 20, 2005)
Prepared remarks by Melinda French Gates, co-chair
"We have to address the inequities that were not created by the hurricanes, but exposed by them. We have to ensure that people have the opportunity to make the most of their lives. This is what I would like to talk about today."
Breakthroughs in Early Learning:
Advances in Science, Economics, and State Policy (August 16, 2005)
Prepared remarks by Greg Shaw, director, Early Learning
"Our foundation’s early learning strategy began with a simple but very hard question, 'what is the best investment we can make for at-risk children in Washington state?'"