Tel: (202) 619-2538
Fax: (202) 619-1241
E-mail: pubaff@ibb.gov

Mr. Morris currently is a video journalist with the Voice of America’s pilot TV project. He has 30 years of experience in television, radio, and film production. The TV project is a joint effort between VOA and WORLDNET Television to train radio and television journalists to use small digital video cameras to produce news and feature programming. Programs are sent by satellite worldwide.

Ms. Burdette has been a music teacher for more than twenty years, primarily at Barnsley Elementary School in Rockville, MD. The story follows her as she incorporates sign language with singing, teaching her young students that they can express their words and feelings through music. Students without hearing impairments learn signing and to embrace diversity. She has formed her fifth-grade classes each year into an award-winning singing group, “The Fabulous Flying Fingers.”

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation's largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

The Voice of America broadcasts news and information in 53 languages to an estimated audience of 91 million people each week. VOA began broadcasting in 1942 and is part of the International Broadcasting Bureau, which became an autonomous U.S. Government civilian broadcast service on October 1, 1999, under the authority of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

Information about VOA’s television products can be found at: http://www.voa.gov/thisweek/
Barnsley Elementary School has a Web site at: http://www3.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/barnsleyes/

For additional information, please contact the Office of External Affairs at (202) 619-2538.