News Release

More Than 650 Restaurateurs Expected at Nation's Capital Next Week to Talk Issues With Members of Congress
Senate Asst. Majority Leader Don Nickles, Senate Asst. Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, Rep. Mark Foley, political analysts Charlie Cook and Stuart Rothenberg, Fox News Sunday host Tony Snow to address attendees of 16th annual conference

September 20, 2000
Contact: Sue Hensley 202-331-5964, Erica Bohm (858) 541-2049

(Washington, DC) Underscoring the importance of "grassroots advocacy," more than 650 restaurant owners from across the country will descend on Washington, DC to take part in the 16th Annual National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference to be held September 25 - 27. Restaurateurs will meet with their respective members of Congress to discuss legislative issues and their impact upon the restaurant industry, and listen to high-level elected officials and political pundits discuss the latest issues and political climate.

"As our members are literally on every street corner in America, restaurants are the cornerstone of their communities," said Steven C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association. "The restaurant industry employs 11 million individuals, making it the largest employer apart from government. We have many messages and stories we will be taking to Capitol Hill. And as this conference falls so close to the 2000 elections, it provides an excellent opportunity for restaurateurs to make their voices heard on issues that are vital to our industry."

The conference will be held at the Capitol Hilton, 1001 16th Street, NW. On Monday afternoon, attendees will hear from Senate Assistant Majority Leader Don Nickles (R-OK), respected national political analysts Stuart Rothenberg and Charlie Cook and Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV); Tuesday morning, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Rep. Mark Foley; Wednesday morning, host of Fox News Sunday Tony Snow.

Conference attendees represent all segments of the restaurant industry, from quickservice to fine dining. Most often, restaurant owners are small business people who own one restaurant. Among the issues restaurateurs will highlight in their meetings with elected officials are:

• Support for Social Security reform


• Support for Immigration reform


• Support for making health care more affordable, accessible


• Opposition to a mandated increase in entry-level wage


• Support for various tax issues impacting the industry

Below is the agenda for the conference. Reporters wanting to attend the conference should call 202-331-5944 to register.

National Restaurant Association
16th annual Public Affairs Conference

__________
September 25-27, 2000
Capital Hilton
1001 16th St, NW, Washington, DC

Public Schedule

Monday, September 25, 2000

3:00 pm	2000 Public Affairs Conference Opening Session Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm	Senate Assistant Majority Leader Don Nickles (R-OK) Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton
4:00 pm - 4:40 pm	Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton
4:45 pm - 5:45 pm	Political Analysts Stuart Rothenberg and Charlie Cook Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton

Tuesday, September 26, 2000 8:00 am - 8:40 am Remarks by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI)
Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton
9:00 am - 9:30 am Remarks by Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL)
Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton
10:30 am - 6:00 pm Restaurateurs head to Capitol Hill for congressional meetings
11:30 am Second annual Restaurant Neighbor Award ceremony,
which honors restaurateurs for exemplary community programs/service. This year's winners are from PA, NY and AZ.
2168 Rayburn House Office Building (The Gold Room)

Wednesday, September 27, 2000 8:00 am - 9:00 am Featured Speaker: Tony Snow – Host, Fox News Sunday Presidential Ballroom, Capital Hilton