Retired Generals from Mississippi to Call For Quality Early Learning As Critical to Nation's Long-Term Security

**Media Advisory for May 1, 2012**

JACKSON, Miss., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Mission: Readiness:

WHAT: Press Conference Focusing on Impact of Early Learning on National Security

WHERE: Mississippi State Capitol, 2nd floor rotunda, 400 High Street, Jackson, MS

WHEN: Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 11:00 A.M.

WHO: Buford "Buff" Blount, III, Major General, US Army (Retired)
Erik Hearon, Major General, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
Belinda Pinckney, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired)
Roger Shields, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired)
Claiborne Barksdale, CEO, Barksdale Reading Institute
Jessica Davis, Mission: Readiness

Background: Four retired generals will call on state lawmakers to build a high-quality early childhood development and learning system as a necessary step to reverse poor student achievement that is limiting the pool of young adults qualified for military service. They will release a new report that provides statistics on young adults in Mississippi, and nationwide, who are ineligible to join the military, as well as a solution to this critical issue. In Mississippi, over one-third of high school graduates who attempt to join the military cannot score highly enough on the skills exam to enlist.

Claiborne Barksdale, CEO of the Barksdale Reading Institute, will join the retired generals.

NOTE: EMBARGOED COPY OF THE REPORT AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

SOURCE MISSION: READINESS

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