New York Times correspondent and Reps. Edwards, Price highlight religious liberty conference Thursday and Friday

April 13, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Baptist Joint Committee has teamed with Associated Baptist Press and Baptists Today news journal and supportive congregations to celebrate and support our founding freedoms with an emphasis on religious liberty and freedom of the press.

To help launch the project, a conference, titled "Free to Worship, Free to Know - Celebrating our Founding Freedoms," will be held April 14-15, 2005, in Washington, D.C.

Speakers will include Baptist historian Walter B. Shurden, Freedom Forum CEO Charles Overby, U.S. Reps. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, and David Price, D- N.C., New York Times Supreme Court Correspondent Linda Greenhouse and Virginia Baptist historian Fred Anderson portraying "John Leland."

For a brochure and schedule for the conference, please visit www.firstfreedoms.com.

Thursday, April 14, 2005
12:45 p.m. - First Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. - Baptist Historian Walter B. Shurden delivers keynote address. Question and Answer session to follow.

3:30 p.m. - Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, Members Room - Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, speaks to group participants.

6:30 p.m. - Dinner at Freedom Forum building at 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. Featured speakers are Freedom Forum CEO Charles Overby and Rep. David Price, D- N.C.

Friday, April 15, 2005
10 a.m. - Program at Jefferson Memorial, including Virginia Baptist historian Fred Anderson portraying champion of religious liberty "John Leland."

12:15 p.m. - Lunch at Reserve Officers Building, One Constitution Avenue - Panel discussion with religious leaders on freedoms of religion and the press.

1 p.m. - Reserve Officers Building - New York Times Supreme Court Correspondent Linda Greenhouse speaks

To attend any of the events, please call Jeff Huett at 202-544-4226.