Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to Speak at the National Press Club on June 13

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May 26, 2011, 04:15 ET

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thomas J. Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, will speak at a National Press Club luncheon on June 13, 2011, in advance of the G-20 Summit of Agricultural Ministers in Paris on June 23.

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Vilsack, who will participate in the gathering, plans to speak on how the innovative efforts of U.S. scientists, farmers and policy-makers are essential to feeding a growing global population, mitigating the effects of climate change and meeting increasing energy demands. The secretary also will address what he says are misconceptions about the production of U.S. biofuels and the impact of rising commodity and food prices.

Recently, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization stated that developed countries should shift their assistance priorities from providing emergency food to helping develop the agricultural sectors of developing nations. According to the U.N., the number of hungry people in the world has topped one billion because of rising food prices and the global economic slump. The June 23 summit will be the first meeting of the G-20 agriculture ministers.

Tom Vilsack, 60, became the 30th Secretary of Agriculture on January 21, 2009. Previously, Vilsack served as a two-term governor of Iowa. A native of Pittsburgh, Penn., Vilsack 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 and research into childhood obesity; revitalizing rural American communities with infrastructure enhancements and implementing new strategies to restore U.S. forests and water supplies. He received a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College in 1972 and earned his law degree from Albany Law School in 1975.

The June 13 Press Club lunch will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks by Vilsack will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Advance reservations should be made through (202) 662-7501 or [email protected]. Cost of the luncheon admission is $18 for National Press Club members, $29 for their guests, and $36 for the general public. Tickets must be purchased at time of reservation.

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 to email a question in advance, type VILSACK in the subject line and send to [email protected] before 10 a.m. on June 13.

The National Press Club is on the 13th floor, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Credentialed press may cover this event.

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 representing every major news organization. More than 250,000 people 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