FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Anthony Flint
617-661-3016 x116
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, BUSINESS, LABOR, CIVIC LEADERS TO CONVENE IN WASHINGTON ON NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
America 2050 Forum -- Rebuilding and Renewing America: Toward a 21st Century Infrastructure Investment Plan – aims to set framework
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Rebuilding and Renewing America: Toward a 21st Century
Infrastructure Investment Plan, a one-day event May 9 in Washington, D.C. sponsored by
America 2050, a joint venture of the Regional Plan Association and the Lincoln Institute of Land
Policy, will bring together infrastructure, environment, and labor experts from across the nation to
develop a strategy to upgrade, enhance, and maintain our vital transportation, water, and energy
infrastructure systems in order to allow the United States to remain competitive in the global
economy, address climate change, and sustain a rapidly growing population. The event is
supported by the Rockefeller Foundation.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Plenary Panel: Members of Congress to discuss their visions for a national
infrastructure plan
Keynote Speakers:
• Judith Rodin of the Rockefeller Foundation to describe the role of
philanthropy for this new plan;
• Thomas J. Donahue of the US Chamber of Commerce to discuss business
case for national infrastructure plan
• Governor Ed Rendell to address the need for a national infrastructure plan
SPEAKERS:
• Robert D. Yaro, President Regional Plan Association and America 2050
• Armando Carbonell, Senior Fellow, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
• Hon Earl Blumenauer, US House of Representatives (D-OR)
• Hon Ed Rendell, Governor, State of Pennsylvania
• Hon. Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,
US House of Representatives (D-MN)*
• Hon Tom Petri, US House of Representatives (R-WI)
• Hon Chris Shays, US House of Representatives (R-CT)
• Judith Rodin, President, The Rockefeller Foundation
• Thomas Donahue, President and CEO, US Chamber of Commerce
*invite pending
WHEN:
Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:00AM – 3:30PM
WHERE:
The Woodrow Wilson Center, 6th Floor Auditorium, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC
ALL MEDIA MUST BE REGISTERED AND CREDENTIALED
For more information, please contact:
Jonathan Freedman: (212) 751-3326, jf@groupsjr.com
Erica Annon: (212) 751-3415, eannon@groupsjr.com
AGENDA: 8:00AM – 3:30PM
• 8:00 AM Continental Breakfast
• 8:45 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
• 10:00 AM Plenary Panel: Envisioning a National Infrastructure Plan for the
21st Century
• 11:15 AM Breakout Roundtables
• 12:30 AM Keynote Luncheon Program
• 2:00PM Closing Plenary Panel Discussion: Enhancing "Triple Bottom Line":
A Strategic Investment Framework for America's Growth
• 3:30 Adjourn
WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
• Envisioning a National Infrastructure Plan for the 21st Century: Moderated by
Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post, Congressmen debate the need for
national legislation to improve America's infrastructure and remain competitive in
the 21 st century. Panelists include: Hon. Tom Petri, United States House of
Representatives (R-WI); Hon. Johnny Isakson, United States Senate (R-GA); Hon.
Christopher Shays, United States House of Representatives (R-CT); Hon. Earl
Blumenauer, United States House of Representatives (D-OR)
• Enhancing the "Triple Bottom Line": A Strategic Investment Framework for
America's Growth: Moderated by Armando Carbonell, Chairman, Department of
Planning and Urban Form, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, panelists discuss the
economic, ecological, and social impacts, or triple bottom line, of infrastructure
planning.
• The Business Case for National Infrastructure Investment: Thomas J. Donahue,
President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce will discuss how a national
infrastructure plan can improve the U.S. economy and keep it competitive in the
era of globalization.
• Philanthropy's Role: The Building Blocks for a New Plan: Judith Rodin, President,
The Rockefeller Foundation will discuss the political and logistical obstacles to
developing a national infrastructure plan and the role Philanthropy can play.
The event is sponsored by America 2050, a joint venture of the Regional Plan
Association, the nation's oldest independent metropolitan planning group, and the
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. America 2050 is a national initiative to develop a
framework for America's future growth and development in face of rapid population
growth, demographic change and infrastructure needs in the 21st century. A major focus
of America 2050 is the emergence of megaregions - large networks of metropolitan
areas, where most of the projected population growth by mid-century will take place -
and how to organize governance, infrastructure investments and land use planning at
this new urban scale. Other co-sponsors are the Rockefeller Foundation, The Surdna
Foundation, and the Division of United States Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
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