Hardball Host Chris Matthews to Address National Press Club June 4

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May 25, 2012, 03:23 ET

Former Democrat Spokesman Joins Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Journalism Awards Program

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The host of MSNBC's Hardball With Chris Matthews will speak June 4 at the National Press Club as part of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation's annual journalism awards ceremony. Matthews, who once worked for President Jimmy Carter and House Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, will be part of the Foundation's recognition of outstanding coverage of the presidency and national defense.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080917/NPCLOGO)

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, which provides support for the 38th President's library and museum, presents its journalism awards at an annual National Press Club luncheon. The awards have been given for 25 years and winners this year are Washington Post correspondent Scott Wilson for coverage of the presidency and The Virginian-Pilot reporter Corinne Reilly for coverage of national defense.

Steven M. Ford, chairman of the Foundation and son of the late president, will make the presentations, which include checks of $5,000 to the winners. The Ford Foundation will hold its annual meeting and dinner June 4 at which a special award will be made in honor of Speaker O'Neill, a Democrat with whom Republican Ford served and worked with in the House of Representatives for many years before becoming Vice President under Richard Nixon. Matthews served as press secretary for O'Neill during his final years in office.

The June 4 National Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by Matthew's remarks and a question-and-answer session. Advance reservations should be made by contacting reservations at the National Press Club, (202) 662-7501 or [email protected]. Cost of the luncheon is $19 for National Press Club members, $30 for their guests and $37 for general admission. Tickets must be purchased at time of reservation. Credentialed press may cover this event with proper identification.

National Press Club luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook at (facebook.com/PressClubDC) and Twitter (@PressClubDC). Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @QNPCLunch on Twitter. Or email a question in advance by typing MATTHEWS in the subject line and sending it to [email protected] before 10 a.m. June 4.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th floor, 529 14th Street, N.W., Washington D.C.

About the National Press Club: The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists with more than 3,400 members worldwide presenting every major news organization. More than 250,000 persons visit the Club each year to attend more than 2,000 events. The Club was founded in 1908 and is on the web at press.org.

SOURCE National Press Club