Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to Speak at the National Press Club on Feb. 8

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Jan 20, 2010, 02:55 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thomas J. Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, will speak at a National Press Club luncheon on Feb. 8, 2009. Vilsack will highlight the Obama Administration's priorities for reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and call on Congress to act swiftly to pass a strong reauthorization bill to improve the health and nutrition of America's children.

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Tom Vilsack, 59, became the 30th Secretary of Agriculture last year. Previously he was a two-term governor of Iowa, where his 1998 election made him its first governor from the Democratic Party in 30 years. The Pittsburgh, Penn. native started his political career as mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in 1987 and also served in the Iowa state senate. As Agriculture Secretary, he's advocated for greater funding for child nutrition programs, tougher oversight of farm subsidy payments and new initiatives that would expand farm and non-farm employment in rural America.

The National Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. and Vilsack's remarks will begin just after 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. This event is open to Press Club members and their guests only. Advance reservations should be made by contacting reservations at the National Press Club, (202) 662-7501 or [email protected]. Cost of luncheon admission is $17 for National Press Club members, $28 for their guests and $35 for general admission.

Credentialed press may cover this event with proper ID.

The National Press Club is located at 14th and F Streets, NW, one block west of Metro Center. For more information about the Club and its programs is go to press.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. Founded in 1908, the Club has 3,500 members representing most major news organizations. Each year, the Club holds more than 2,000 events including news conferences, luncheons and panels, and more than 250,000 guests come through its doors.

SOURCE National Press Club