TOWN HALL LOS ANGELES FOCUSES ON THE FUTURE OF LA INFRASTRUCTURE

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, Town Hall Los Angeles presents a morning conference on the future of Los Angeles's infrastructure. The conference features Keynote Speaker Matthew K. Rose, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, followed by a panel discussion, "The Port of Los Angeles - a Secure, Green and Efficient Port?"

Port panelists include S. David Freeman, President, The Port of Los Angeles; Dr. Jon Haveman, Program Director, Public Policy Institute of California; and Jack Kyser, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. 89.3 FM KPCC correspondent Kitty Felde moderates.

Keynote speaker Rose became President and CEO of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation in 2000, and was elected Chairman in 2002. In 2001, he said before a Senate Committee, "Clearly, our challenge is to develop public policies and business strategies to squeeze every bit of productivity from the infrastructure now in place, so that America's transportation system facilitates - rather than constrains - economic growth. At the same time, the policies and strategies we adopt must protect our citizens and our environment?"

Prior to his appointment in 2005 by LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Freeman was the General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. In response to pollution levels at the port, Freeman recently said, "The port is one of the largest sources of decent-paying jobs around here, and it can't grow unless we smash the pollution."

Panel sponsor, The Public Policy Institute of California, is a private operating foundation established in 1994 with an endowment from William R. Hewlett. The Institute is dedicated to improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.

Since 1937, Town Hall Los Angeles has been dedicated to promoting civic participation and awareness. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit forum, we encourage a public discussion on issues of regional, national, and international significance.

WHEN: Thursday, September 14, 2006
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 - 9:30 AM Keynote Address, Q & A session
9:45 - 11:30 AM Panel, Q & A session

WHERE: The Omni Los Angeles Hotel
251 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071


All members of the media are invited to cover this timely meeting. ** Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.

Contact: Deborah Weinberg
Director of Media Relations
213 312.9307
[email protected]