FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCKE ATTENDS AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., May 16, 2003-Dr. Ivy Locke, vice president for business and finance at Southeast Missouri State University, recently attended the African American Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., as a guest of U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond.

The two-day conference provided a forum for more that 380 African-American participants from across the country to discuss a range of policy issues with senior members of the United States Congress and the Bush Administration.

“At this critical time in our nation’s history, it is imperative that African-American leaders and federal officials exchange ideas about the most pressing issues affecting our families and communities,” said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Texas), co-chair of the Summit.

“The sessions allowed us to have a meaningful dialogue about creating jobs, improving education and health care, encouraging faith-based initiatives, and strengthening state and community leadership,” said Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.), Summit co-chair.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.) welcomed the delegates to the reception. Several members of President Bush’s cabinet addressed the gathering, including Education Secretary Rod Paige, Commerce Secretary Don Evans, and Housing Deputy Secretary Alphonso Jackson.

Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams discussed affirmative access; Alabama State Representative Johnny Ford and Kaaren Johnson Street, associate deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration, discussed economic development.

The conference participants were nominated to attend by their members of Congress.