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"Do you know what struggle means? It's when you're fighting as hard as you can, and the enemy hasn't moved yet, and you really don't know whether or not you can win - that's struggle," said Bernice Perkins of the Organization of the NorthEast, of Chicago, IL, summing up the school construction campaign at this year's National People's Action 30th annual conference.

NPA leaders have made substantial progress in the U.S. Senate, as Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced a companion bill to the Johnson/Rangel legislation that NPA has supported over the last year.

"We are very grateful to Sen. Harkin, who has been a consistent champion on school construction," said Nilda Vega, of Block's Together in Chicago, IL. "Last year, Harkin helped us to get the $1.3 billion in emergency repair money, this year he is raising the larger fight for $25 billion ABC (America's Better Classroom's act, or the ABC bill) to a higher level."

Nilda presented to Sen. Harkin's legislative assistant on education issues, Beverly Schroeder, a signed copy of the children's book "ABC," as a token of NPA's appreciation for the Senator's efforts.

"Sen. Harkin is proud to be working with people like you.this issue is about basic access to opportunity, and without good schools you can't expect good students," Schroeder said.

In contrast, no one from the offices of the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert attended the Rebuild America's Schools workshop, despite promises in mid-February.

Commenting on this decision before the conference, Hastert's district director Brandon Grometer said, "We don't make commitments to community groups."

This message was delivered to over 200 leaders from around the country, by a stuffed toy duck, which stood in for Dennis Hastert at the workshop.

"We refuse to accept this situation," said Ronn Jordan of the NorthWest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition in the Bronx, NY. "We don't want another year of overcrowding, and we must change Hastert's mind."