NLA appreciation:one more for Bob

[Andrew Hartman]

     The NIFL's Internet connection was out of service for over a week as a 
     result of some work on our local area network.  So, until I was able 
     to read the archived material, I had missed the discussion of Bob 
     Bikerton leaving his post as legislative representative.  I really 
     felt the need to "jump on the pile."
     
     While you can never go back and lay blame or credit to one person or 
     event when you are talking about legislation over a several year 
     period, it is safe to say that Bob was first among equals when it 
     comes to the incredible string of successes literacy has had over the 
     that time.  Tireless, determined, aggressive, strategic...that was 
     Bob.  We would have strategy conference calls at 4:00 pm and by the 
     time I got into the office the next day everyone had a draft of what 
     we had said we needed to move forward.
     
     People who know Bob know how passionate he is about literacy and how 
     strongly he will argue his positions.  I think it is less well known 
     how much he worked to find consensus, so that the entire literacy 
     field could get behind the same set of recommendations.  I did not 
     agree with Bob on all his positions, but I agreed completely with his 
     vision of a united and strong literacy advocacy movement.  
     
     You know that a lot was sacrificed on the work and personal front in 
     order for Bob to do so much national work "on the side."  What is 
     clear is that the good things that happened for literacy on the 
     national level did not happen by accident.  It took a lot of work by a 
     lot of people across the country, and Bob was a leader in that effort. 
     If we want that kind of presence and success to continue, others will 
     need to step up and fill the gap.
     
     Bob -- thanks for everything, but don't think we are going to let you 
     out of this entirely!
     
     Andy Hartman
     NIFL