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Jason Foster
SDSU Marketing & Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former U.S. Senators to Meet at SDSU March 18-19 to Discuss Congressional, International Affairs
Forum Includes Sessions Open to Students, Public

SAN DIEGO, Friday, March 15, 2002-San Diego State University and the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, are co-sponsoring a forum featuring six former U.S. Senators at San Diego State University March 18-19.

The forum, led by Paul Simon (D-Illinois), will cover a range of topics, including discussions of making changes in the way Congress works and how to increase Americans' interest in international affairs. Simon, now the director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, hopes that these sessions at SDSU will produce concrete suggestions that the former senators can forward to Congress.

Besides Simon, the bipartisan group of former senators includes Henry Bellmon (R-Oklahoma), Hank Brown (R-Colorado), David Durenberger (R-Minnesota), James Sasser (D-Tennessee), and Joseph Tydings (D-Maryland).

The schedule of discussions is as follows:

Monday, March 18:
From 10 a.m. to noon in the Gateway Building's Global Communications Center, the group will discuss the lifestyle and work of the Senate and House of Representatives to explore ways Congress' work environment and work product can be improved. The former senators will also discuss the topic with student, faculty and community observers. This session will be taped for broadcast on C-SPAN.

From 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Gateway Building's Global Communications Center, the group will discuss how to increase U.S. interest in international affairs, especially in the wake of Sept. 11. The former senators will also discuss the topic with student, faculty and community observers.

Tuesday, March 19:
From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Casa Real Room of Aztec Center, the senators will host an open panel discussion with students, faculty and community members.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 79 areas, master's degrees in 61 areas and doctorates in 14 areas. Its students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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