Republican Convention Announces Program Themes and Speaker Lineup

Attendees at the 1952 Republican National Convention, Chicago, Illinois

"Country First": 2008 Republican National Convention to Highlight Service, Reform, Prosperity and Peace. SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the themes and preliminary lineup of speakers for the program of events that will run Sept. 1-4. The convention’s overall theme, "Country First," reflects John McCain’s remarkable record of leadership and service to America. Each day of proceedings will center on a touchstone theme that has defined John McCain’s life and will be central to his vision for leading our nation forward as president.

"Our convention will showcase a cross-section of leaders who will highlight John McCain’s long commitment to putting our country first -- before self-interest or politics," said McCain 2008 Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker. "The speakers will address John McCain’s unmatched record of service and sacrifice for America, and his vision for moving our nation forward to keep us safe and get our economy back on track."

The roster of speakers announced today includes John McCain, Mrs. Cindy McCain, 10 current and former Republican governors, five current and former U.S. Senators and two well-respected businesswomen. Their remarks will echo the themes that have been selected for each of the convention’s four days: service, reform, prosperity and peace.

"We are excited to announce this slate of speakers, each of whom shares John McCain’s love of country and commitment to serving a cause greater than one’s own self-interest. Their remarks will be a testament to Senator McCain’s unparalleled record of service and sacrifice for America and his readiness to lead as commander in chief and move America forward," said Maria Cino, president and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention.

The program of events is as follows:

Monday, Sept. 1
Service
"Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countryman."
--Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s commitment to his fellow Americans, a commitment forged in service to his country, is one of the defining hallmarks of his life. Monday’s events will highlight John McCain’s record of service and sacrifice and reflect his commitment to serving a cause greater than one’s own self-interest.
Speakers will include:

* U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
* Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
* Vice President Richard B. Cheney
* First Lady Laura Bush
* President George W. Bush

Tuesday, Sept. 2
Reform
"If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them."
--Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s life is a testament to the fundamental truth that every American can be a force for change. A restless reformer who has dedicated his career to taking on special interests and the status quo, John McCain will deliver the right kind of change and reform to meet the great challenges of our time. On Tuesday, the convention program will underscore his vision of a government that is transparent, principled and worthy of the American people it serves.
Speakers will include:

* Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
* Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
* Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
* Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
* Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
* Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
* Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
* Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
* Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Prosperity
"America’s best days are still to come."
--Sen. John McCain

The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity. Wednesday’s program will focus on John McCain’s plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others. The day will conclude with an address by the vice presidential nominee.
Speakers will include:

* U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
* Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
* Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
* Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
* Mrs. Cindy McCain
* Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
* Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee

Thursday, Sept. 4
Peace
"Our next president will have a mandate to build an enduring global peace on the foundations of freedom, security, opportunity, prosperity, and hope."
--Sen. John McCain

John McCain understands the challenges that America faces in the world and the sacrifice necessary to defend our freedom in a way that few others can fathom. Thursday’s events will reflect his vision of an America in pursuit of peace and seen as a beacon of goodwill and hope throughout the world. The evening will close with John McCain accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States.
Speakers will include:

* Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
* Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
* U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
* U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
* John McCain

In the coming days, the 2008 Republican National Convention will announce additional speakers and program details.

About the Republican National Convention - The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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James A. Williams Biography

"Jim's really a master at keeping an organization on track toward a specific goal"

C. Stewart Verdery Jr.

The President intends to designate James A. Williams, of Virginia, to be Acting Administrator of the General Services Administration. # # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary August 19, 2008

The General Services Administration oversees 352 million square feet of space across the nation. The GSA’s Public Buildings Service department manages 8,619 government-owned facilities, including courthouses, prisons and offices. Williams currently assignment is the GSA’s other arm: the Federal Acquisition Service, which is responsible for buying all of the items the government needs to function.

Mr. Williams designation, would replace acting chief David Bibb. A 37-year veteran of the GSA, Bibb is retiring to take a real estate job in the private sector. He has served since April 30 when the agency’s former administrator, Lurita A. Doan, stepped down, ending a two-year tenure.

Williams 53, was appointed Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, effective June 25, 2006. In this capacity, Williams provided strategic direction-setting, performance management and leadership for efficient and effective program execution necessary to provide the best value for the government and for taxpayers, proactive customer assistance and simplified procedures.

Prior to his current assignment at GSA, Williams served as the Director of the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program at the Department of Homeland Security an ambitious identification system to establish at all airports, seaports, and land-border crossings a system to collect biometric identifiers - two fingerprints and a digital photograph - to help keep track of the entry, visa status, and exit of certain foreigners visiting the United States.

The aim is to collect the information without, as critics feared, unduly slowing travel. The program applies to those travelers who require a visa to enter the country - about 28 million people annually.. Previously, he served in several executive leadership positions at the Internal Revenue Service including Deputy Associate Commissioner for Program Management, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for procurement and later as Director of Procurement at the IRS.

Earlier in his career, Williams was Director of the Local Telecommunications Procurement Division at GSA where he was responsible for all nationwide local telecommunications purchases for the agency. He also served on a four-person team studying federal procurement practices for Vice President Gore's National Performance Review. The team came up with proposals that helped guide regulatory reform in the 1990s.

On March 7, 2000 James was mamed named Deputy Regional Administrator and Acting Regional Administrator in the U.S. General Services Administration's Mid-Atlantic office, which is based in Philadelphia. He moves from his position as Deputy Regional Administrator in GSA's Greater Southwest Region.

Before moving to Texas, Jim was Associate Regional Administrator in the National Capital Region (NCR), a position he held for two years. During that time, he built a strong Congressional and media relations program. Prior to his appointment in NCR, Jim served as Public Buildings Service Assistant Commissioner for Information Systems and also for Business Development in GSA's headquarters office. Williams joined GSA in 1986 as NCR's Deputy Regional Administrator. He came to GSA from the Federal Trade Commission where he was Executive Director.

Williams received the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award in 1985 and FTC's Distinguished Service Award in 1986. Among other GSA awards, Jim received the Administrator's Meritorious Service Award in 1996 and 1999, the NCR Regional Administrator's Team Award for Customer Service.

A native of Virginia, Williams holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1979 and a master's in business administration from The George Washington University in 1986.

SOURCES:

• Personnel Announcement
• James A. Williams - Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service
• GSA Hiring a New Chief After Former One Quits
• Homeland Security James A. Williams
• James A. Williams Named Deputy Regional Administrator: Moves to GSA's Mid-Atlantic Region