Gen. Powell to Address National Restaurant Association Show 5/22

[paineinthearse]

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), to Address International Foodservice Community at National Restaurant Association Show

2/18/2005 2:29:00 PM


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To: National Desk

Contact: Katharine Kim, 202-331-5939, or Annika Stensson, 202-973-3677 or [e-mail], both of the National Restaurant Association

CHICAGO, Feb. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), will be the featured speaker at the 2005 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, held May 21 - 24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. With 73,000 attendees and 2,000-plus exhibiting companies from more than 100 countries, the Show is truly an international marketplace and a microcosm of the global restaurant-and-foodservice community. The $476 billion restaurant industry embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that serve as a model for many businesses in other countries and the Show provides excellent opportunities for companies to capitalize on international business and exports.

"We are very pleased to have General Powell, with his extensive background in international affairs, keynote the 2005 Show as we highlight the abundant opportunities for foreign trade the 2005 Show offers. As the premier international foodservice marketplace, the Show is the largest industry event in the U.S. and attracts leading industry professionals and companies from the U.S. and around the world," said Steven C. Anderson, the Association's president and chief executive officer. "In addition, General Powell's America's Promise-Alliance for Youth has been a longtime partner of the National Restaurant Association, and our Restaurants of Promise program was inspired by it. Restaurants are the cornerstone of local communities and we all share his commitment to community service and young people."

Inspired by America's Promise, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant of Promise program has mobilized restaurateurs across the U.S. to support young people through the five promises of America's Promise-providing caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, marketable skills and opportunities to serve. For more information, please visit the Association's Web site: http://www.restaurant.org/community.

General Powell's speech will take place Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. in McCormick Place. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. This event is open only to attendees and exhibitors at the Show.

General Powell became the 65th secretary of state in 2001 under President George W. Bush, and retired from that post earlier this year. Before becoming Secretary of State, Powell served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 - 1993). During this time he oversaw 28 crises, including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Powell stressed that fighting the war on terrorism is not just a military but also a diplomatic task. He led the State Department in major efforts to solve regional and civil conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. In addition, he was at the forefront of the Bush Administration's efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that "America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world."

Born in New York City, General Powell earned a Bachelor's degree in geology from the City College of New York (CCNY) where he participated in ROTC. Upon graduation he received a commission as an Army second lieutenant. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University. General Powell is also the recipient of numerous U.S. military and civilian awards and decorations, as well as international honors, including the Purple Heart, two Presidential Medals of Freedom and an honorary knighthood bestowed by H. M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

General Powell was the founding Chairman of America's Promise- The Alliance for Youth, a national crusade to improve the lives of America's youth. Established at the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia in April of 1997, and endorsed by every living U.S. President, America's Promise aims to ensure all children in America have access to the fundamental resources needed to build and strengthen them to become responsible, productive adults. The General has also served on the Board of Trustees of Howard University, the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund, the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Children's Health Fund. General Powell is the author of his best-selling autobiography, My American Journey.

Celebrating its 86th year, the Association's annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals in North and South America. The Show will be held May 21 - 24, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. Each year, the Show serves as the industry's premier international marketplace attracting more than 2,000 exhibiting companies and 73,000-plus attendees from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. For the latest information, please visit the show Web site at http://www.restaurant.org/show.

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The National Restaurant Association, founded in 1919, is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 900,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 12.2 million employees -- making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. Along with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing industry. For more information, visit their Web site at http://www.restaurant.org.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[xray s]

1. should be fascinating

:boring:

[whistle]

2. Let me see now that's 12.2 million employees at minimum....

...wage of $5.35 per hour for 30 hours so no benefits are required.....uhmmm.