National Press Club to Host Inaugural for 103rd President Bjerga Jan. 30

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Jan 25, 2010, 10:35 ET

CBS' Schieffer, Sen. Klobuchar, and Bloomberg Exec Editor to Headline Black-Tie Gala

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National media and political figures will gather to honor the newly-elected president of the National Press Club, Alan Bjerga of Bloomberg News, at a black-tie inaugural event in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Jan. 30.

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Bjerga, who covers agricultural policy for Bloomberg News, is the Press Club's 103rd president and has identified journalism training and support of free speech worldwide as central to his upcoming term.

"In a time when U.S. newsrooms are seeing radical change and journalists everywhere are working for press freedom, the National Press Club will be a leader in helping journalism meet its new challenges,'' Bjerga said.

Keynote speakers for the black-tie event will be U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) of Minnesota and Amanda Bennett, Bloomberg News Executive Editor. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the band "Honky Tonk Confidential," led by Bob Schieffer, host of CBS' "Face the Nation.''

Bjerga, 36, has served as the Press Club's vice president, treasurer, and as a member of its Board of Governors. The Minnesota native has received awards from the Overseas Press Club, the New York Press Club, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and the North American Agricultural Journalists. Bjerga has worked in the Knight Ridder and McClatchy Washington bureaus and also reported for the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader and the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle. He began his journalism career at the Saint Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press.

In 2006, Sen. Klobuchar became the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the U. S. Senate, after serving as chief prosecutor of Minnesota's largest county. The Washington Post described Klobuchar as "a rising star," "a leading proponent of efforts to combat climate change," and "the funniest new member of Congress."

Ms. Bennett in 2006 was named Executive Editor in charge at Bloomberg News, where she is now in charge of projects and investigations. She made history as the first female Executive Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Prior to that, Bennett served as Editor at the Lexington Herald-Leader. She is also a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board.

The public is invited to attend, and reservations are required. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased by calling 202-662-7501 or by e-mailing [email protected]. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m., remarks starting at 8:25 p.m., and entertainment following. The Press Club is located on the 13th floor at 529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Media who wish to cover the event should RSVP at [email protected], stating they are credentialed reporters covering the event and their news outlet. Doors open at 6 p.m. Credentials will be checked. For interview requests, contact [email protected].

The National Press Club, founded in 1908, has an estimated 3,500 members in Washington and worldwide. Widely known for its Speakers Luncheon Series televised by C-SPAN, the NPC also is Washington's most frequently used venue for news conferences. The NPC conducts an aggressive program of professional education for journalists, funds journalism scholarships, and operates the nation's only non-academic research library for journalists.

SOURCE National Press Club