By Benita Dodd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Benita Dodd at 404-256-4050

Georgia Celebrates Milton Friedman’s Legacy

Atlanta – Milton Friedman, honored around the world as one of the greatest champions of freedom, would have turned 96 on July 31, 2008.
 
In the final decade of his life, the Nobel Prize-winning economist focused his efforts on educational freedom. School choice, which gives parent the right to choose the education for their children instead of handing them over to a government bureaucracy, was his last great crusade.
 
Dr. Friedman and his wife, Rose, founded the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation in 1996 to promote school choice. Today, 23 school choice programs serve 190,000 students in 14 states and the District of Columbia. 

On Thursday, July 31, Milton Friedman’s birthday will be celebrated in Georgia, as part of the Friedman Foundation Legacy for Freedom campaign, at a conference honoring a great American whose vision, life’s work and philanthropy were dedicated to a legacy of freedom and liberty.

Join the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Black Alliance for Educational Options and Center for an Educated Georgia from 9:30-11 a.m. at Georgia Tech’s LeCraw Auditorium, 800 West Peachtree St, Atlanta, at Georgia Tech’s Technology Square.  

The keynote speaker is Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson, author of the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and a vocal advocate for expanding school choice, who will present his blueprint for future education legislation in Georgia.

Senator Johnson, who also carried the 2008 Tuition Tax Credit legislation, will discuss bringing Georgia’s education future more in line with the Friedman vision. This event will also allow participants to learn more about the Tuition Tax Credit and how to apply for scholarships through this program.

“We have now put our toe in the water by introducing the free market into education in our state, and parents are delighted,” Senator Johnson said.
 
“The public is beginning to see, as Dr. Friedman noted, that competition is a healthy thing. It not only gives parents and the freedom to choose what school is best for their children, but brings competition to the monopoly of public schools that will improve all schools.” 

For more information and to reserve your seat online, go to www.gppf.org or call 404-256-4050. There is no charge for this event.  

Media interested in attending this event please contact Benita Dodd at benitadodd@gppf.org or 404-256-4050.