Newt Gingrich and Lee Hamilton to Identify Nation's Policy Priorities

Two great American politicians discuss how to move the nation out of gridlock

A Conversation About Solving America's Challenges

2:45 p.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008

Morial Convention Center, New Orleans

La Louisiane Ballroom - First Level

NEW ORLEANS, July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What should America's public policymakers focus their attention on for the next five years? Two of the nation's most prominent public servants will offer their perspectives at a special session during the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in New Orleans.

On Thursday, Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the U.S. House, and Lee Hamilton, former vice chair of the 911 commission and former congressman, will discuss what is needed to move America beyond gridlock to solve the most pressing issues including health care, education and the environment, with innovation and originality.

"This is going to be a thoughtful, bipartisan conversation with two great American political practitioners and thinkers," said William T. Pound, executive director of NCSL. "These two men know that in order to move the country forward, we have to get beyond the partisan bickering."

The focus of the conversation is the major public policy decisions facing the nation in the next five to 10 years. They will answer questions about the economy, globalization, education, immigration and health care. Gringrich and Hamilton also will discuss the current political environment and the 2008 election as well as give their advice on running mates for the presidential candidates.

NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

For more information, please visit www.ncsl.org.