PRESS RELEASE: Young Democrats of America Convention in Dallas July 18-21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2007
Contact: Sarah Duncan

Dallas, TX – The Young Democrats of America will hold their National Convention in Dallas, TX, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, bringing together young leaders from across the country to discuss strategies that will continue the record increased turnout of the new base voter of the Democratic Party: young voters.

In the 2006 election, voters ages 18-29 made up 21% of the electorate (41.9 million) and supported Democratic candidates by an impressive 58 percent – six points higher than voters as a whole. This same age group was the only age group that Democrats won in the 2004 election. The 2007 YDA National Convention will focus on strategies that will build on these successes.

Delegates at the YDA National Convention will participate in a range of activities including trainings, a community service project, platform debate, and election of new national officers. Trainings will be led by prominent national and local political leaders on topics such as running for office, building local organizations, and issues ranging from job security and college affordability to the environment, civil rights and reproductive rights. Speakers to the YDA National Convention include Presidential candidate John Edwards, General Wesley Clark, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, and other progressive leaders.

For the first time, the convention will be held in conjunction with The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) Executive Committee and General Assembly meeting. IFLRY is an umbrella group of international liberal youth organizations. Youth from Europe, Asia and Africa will be traveling to Dallas to participate in these meetings and joint trainings with YDA.

All YDA events are open to the press but credentials are required. The hotel is wi-fi ready and there will be a Press Room with workspace for press and bloggers. Please contact Sarah Duncan at sarah@dallasdemocrats.org or 214-562-6792 to arrange for press credentials.

Wednesday, July 18 (All times local)

8:00 PM Welcome Reception, San Antonio Ballroom

Boyd Richie, Chair, Texas Democratic Party Darlene Ewing, Chair, Dallas Co. Democratic Party

Thursday, July 19

5:00 PM General Session Lone Star Ballroom

Jim Hightower, Former Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club
Garnet Coleman, Texas State Representative
James Bernard, Community Activist

Friday, July 20

12:00 Noon Community Service Project Lone Star Ballroom

General Wesley Clark Chris Nowinski, WWE Smackdown Your Vote
Colonel Rick Noriega, Texas State Representative
Jon Soltz, Founder, VoteVets

1:15 PM General Session, Lone Star Ballroom

Senator John Edwards

7:00 PM General Session, Lone Star Ballroom

Chuck Rocha, Political Director, United Steelworkers

Saturday, July 21

9:30 AM General Session , Lone Star Ballroom

Senator Mike Gravel Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
Susie Turnball, Vice Chair, Democratic National Committee