Phil Handy Joins Senator McCain's Team
Florida Education Leader To Head Policy Committee

ARLINGTON, VA-U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee today announced that Phil Handy, former chairman of the Florida State Board of Education has been appointed chairman of the Arizona Senator's education policy committee.

Handy is currently the vice chairman of the board of education, and was recently appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the National Board of Education Sciences. He served as chairman of Governor Jeb Bush's 1994 and 1998 gubernatorial campaigns, and co-chairman of the Florida Governor's 2002 campaign.

In 2000, Handy was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Education Governance Reorganization Task Force and later became its chairman. He also served on the Governor's Commission on the Future of Florida's Environment from 1989 to 1990.

Handy stated that he looked forward to advising someone as committed to education as Senator McCain. "I know John McCain to be someone that is passionate about education. The Senator believes achievement in the classroom is the vehicle to the American Dream. I look forward to working with Senator McCain to communicate that commitment in Florida and nationwide."

Senator McCain stated Handy's advice and counsel would be very important to him personally. "Phil is one of the finest education minds in the country. There are few people that understand the impact a quality education can have on a child's life as much as he does," said Senator McCain. "I look forward to working with Phil and his advice will be very important to our team."