Special tribute to John Lazares: Betsy Cook's speech to STRS Board April 17, 2008

Good afternoon. I am Betsy Cook, a retired educator from Marietta, Ohio.

When I retired in 2003 and the report came out about the former STRS Board misspending my money, I became active in CORE. CORE is a group of retired educators willing to give their time and money to monitor and, if need be, work to change the STRS Board. They felt it was important to use the democratic process to send a message to the STRS Board, so they worked tirelessly to get John Lazares elected.

Though I didn't know John at the time, I got to know him through teachers that work for him and observing his work on the Board. Since John Lazares is leaving the board at the end of his term, I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, John.

You came into a very difficult situation and through your humor, charm, persistence and steadfast beliefs, you created change. You have shown caring for all STRS members and willingness to question policies and the workings of STRS. You have listened to STRS members to hear what was important to us; and tirelessly, sometimes against great odds, stood up for our issues.

Thank you, John, for giving your time to represent the educators of Ohio on the STRS Board. You carried out your responsibilities with integrity and compassion. As an STRS member, someone whose retirement future depends on the Board's decisions, I appreciate all John has done to rebuild trust between STRS members and the Board. There is still much work to be done, such as in the area of permanent, affordable health care. I hope we can work together to continue what John has helped to start: listening, questioning and working for the members of STRS.