For Immediate Release

Contact: Tammy Sun/Kyra Jennings
(202) 546-0007/(800) 546-0027

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) will hold the 2005 DLC National Conversation in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday July 23 through Monday, July 25. Hundreds of national, state and local elected officials from over 40 states will attend the DLC's annual meeting of Democratic elected officials, including: U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, Gov. Mark Warner, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, and Gov. Tom Vilsack.

The theme of this year's event is "Heartland Values, Bold Solutions: An American Reform Agenda." Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman will serve as the 2005 National Conversation Honorary Chair and will join DLC Founder and CEO Al From, DLC President Bruce Reed, and other DLC leaders at the event.

For more information about the DLC or this annual event, please visit www.dlc.org.

Media interested in attending the 2005 DLC National Conversation should contact Tammy Sun or Kyra Jennings at (800) 546-0027.

WHAT:
DLC 2005 National Conversation

WHO:
Hundreds of New Democrat leaders from across the country

WHEN:
Saturday, July 23, 2005 through Monday, July 25, 2005

WHERE:
Columbus, Ohio

Check-in & Registration:
Attached, please find the agenda of open press events. Media will be required to present valid press credentials at the registration desk, on Sunday, July 24 and Monday, July 25.

DLC 2005 National Conversation: Schedule of Events
Columbus, Ohio

Saturday, July 23

• 2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. -- Kick-off Press Conference
  Statehouse Steps

Sunday, July 24

• 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. -- Breakout Session I
  Democratic Principles of Tax Reform
• 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. -- Lunch
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. -- Breakout Session II
  Faith and Politics
  Building a New Democratic Majority
• 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. -- Breakout Session III
  Redistricting and Election Reform

Monday, July 25

• 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. -- Breakfast
  Media registration and camera pre-set. (Valid Media Credential Required)
• 9:00 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. -- Opening Remarks
  Al From, DLC Founder & CEO
• 9:05 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. -- Welcome and Introductions
  Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus, Ohio, 2005 National Conversation Honorary Chair and DLC Local Elected Officials Network Chair
• 10:00 a.m. -- Remarks
  Senator Tom Carper, Delaware, Incoming DLC Vice Chair
  -- Introductory remarks by State Representative Jennifer Mann, Pennsylvania, DLC State Legislative Advisory Board Chair
• 10:30 a.m. -- Remarks
  Senator Evan Bayh, Indiana, DLC Chair
  -- Introductory remarks by State Representative Bill McConico, Michigan
• 11:00 a.m. -- Passing of the Gavel and Remarks
  Governor Tom Vilsack, Iowa, Incoming DLC Chair
  -- Introductory remarks by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas
• 11:30 a.m. -- Remarks
  Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York
  -- Introductory remarks by City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Los Angeles
• 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. -- Lunch
• 1:00 p.m. -- Remarks
  Governor Mark Warner, Virginia
  -- Introductory remarks by House Democratic Leader Ethan Berkowitz, Alaska
• 1:30 p.m. -- Progressive Family Values
  Moderated by Marshall Wittmann, DLC Senior Fellow
  Mayor Bart Peterson, Indianapolis, Ind.
  Michele Stockwell, PPI Director of Social and Family Policy
  Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, PPI Senior Fellow
  Ralph Whitehead, Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• 3:00 p.m. -- Security
  Moderated by Will Marshall, PPI President
  Hon. Tim Roemer, President, Center for National Policy and Member of the 9/11 Commission
  Peter Beinart, Editor, The New Republic
• 4:00 p.m. -- National Conversation Adjourns