Leadership Spotlight

Senator Randy Gardner
Republican

Office
Ohio Senate, 2nd District

Legislative Committees
Vice Chairman, Health and Human Services and Aging; Education; Insurance, Commerce and Labor; Rules

Personal
Age 43; Married to the former Sandra Ford; Children: Brooks (11), Christina (9), Austin (8)

Education
Bowling Green State University: Bachelor of Science in the College of Education, 1981; Master of Arts in Political Science, 1987

Recent Honors
Andrew Carnegie Award Recipient, 2001, Ohio Library Association; Legislative Leadership Award, 2000, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children; Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honoree

Greatest Creative Achievement
Helping my 9 year old daughter construct a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a school history project

Last Good Book Read
John Adams by David McCullough

Osvaldo Barrios has completely dedicated himself to his musical instrument, the bandoneon. He began performing with well-known tango orchestras in his native Buenos Aires before immigrating to Los Angeles, where he accompanied legendary tango singers Libertad Lamarque, Mariano Mores, Roberto Goyeneche and many others.

Ohio performances will take place in Columbus, November 3; Cleveland, November 6; Lorain, November 8; Sidney, November 9; Toledo, November 10; Findlay, November 11; Tiffin, November 12; Oxford, November 14; and Cincinnati, November 15. Pennsylvania performances will take place in Erie, November 17; Newcastle, November 21; and Franklin, November 23. The FBI tour strives to expose new audiences to art forms from around the world through faith based institutions, which are at the heart of every community. For more information call 614/466-2613 or 614/299-0221

October is National Arts and Humanities Month and this year1s theme is arts education. How children learn and the role the arts play in that process has been the focus of an increasing number of studies in recent years. Results conclude that study and participation in the arts not only produces knowledge of a particular art form, but affects the process of learning itself. The results show that the arts are cognitive and develop knowledge, mental skills, personal dispositions,risk-taking, focus and self- discipline. The following suggestions are designed to help parents keep the arts in their children's lives - at home, in their school, in their communities and on our nation1s agenda.
• Educate yourself about the amount and variety of art forms in your children1s school system. Is there a budget to support the arts in your schools as well as appropriate space and equipment?
• Take your children to arts events in your community. Many are free
and of excellent quality.
• Write to the editor of your local newspaper during National Arts
and Humanities Month. Draw attention to the month and the importance of arts and culture in building a community and developing the next generation of citizens.
• Tell your leaders that public funding for the arts is key to
keeping them available to every child.

For more information on how to celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org or call 202/371-2830.