For Immediate Release:
Contact: Karin Kullman Freedman/ John Bray (202) 546-0007 / (800) 546-0027

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) and Americans for Gun Safety (AGS) will co-host a working conference on how Democrats can recapture the center in American politics on crucial issues such as firearms, faith and family policy while promoting progressive principles. The conference will be held at the Wyndham in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, October 18th, and the plenary session from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will be open to the media.

Democrats must bridge the culture gap to take advantage of the opportunities and address the vulnerabilities presented in "red" states. The DLC has long advocated that with the right messages and policies, Democrats can make gains among people of faith, married people with children, and gun owners.

To address these issues, the DLC and AGS will co-host a working conference for elected officials -- God, Guns, and Guts: Seizing the Cultural Center -- to discuss the ideas and strategies on this front. U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) will deliver the keynote speech, speaking from his own experience in 2002. Participants will also hear from International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) President Harold Schaitberger, noted author and cultural expert Professor Alan Wolfe, and others on topics ranging from the vulnerabilities facing Republicans to how to appeal to regular churchgoers. In addition, AGS will highlight a new national poll addressing voter attitudes towards Democrats and the gun issue -- the most comprehensive gun survey since the 2000 election.

Media interested in attending the event should RSVP to the DLC press office at (202)546-0007.

WHO:

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Al From, Founder and CEO, Democratic Leadership Council
Will Marshall, President, Progressive Policy Institute
Jonathan Cowan, President, Americans for Gun Safety
Harold Schaitberger, President, International Association of Fire Fighters
Alan Wolfe, Director, Boisi Center for Religion & American Public Life, Boston College
Amy Sullivan, Author
And over 65 elected officials from across the nation

WHAT:

DLC-AGS Conference: "God, Guns, and Guts: Seizing the Cultural Center"

WHEN:

Saturday, October 18, 2003, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Media Registration to begin at 8:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Wyndham Atlanta, Centennial Ballroom
160 Spring Street NW

The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) leads the New Democrat movement, a national network of elected officials and community leaders whose innovative ideas are modernizing progressive politics for the 21st Century. For additional information on the DLC or for more background on the elected officials around the country who are governing as New Democrats, web users may access the Democratic Leadership Council online at www.ndol.org.