Final Speaker Announced!
Book your hotel room at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando. Phone 1-800-627-8258 or 407-996-9700. Specify you are with FFRF and that you are booking the Rosen PLAZA Hotel (there are 2 Rosen Hotels in Orlando).
A leading voice in public interest law, Nan Aron, President of the Alliance for Justice, will join the roster of impressive speakers and honorees at the upcoming annual convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Orlando, Fla., the weekend of Nov. 11-13.
Ms. Aron founded the Alliance, a national association of public interest and civil rights organizations, in 1979. She will be speaking on the timely topic of the future of the Supreme Court and an independent judiciary at 3:30 p.m. as the final afternoon speaker on Saturday, Nov. 12, following Dr. Oliver Sacks' appearance.
In 1985, Nan founded the Alliance's Judicial Selection Project, now the country's premier voice for a fair and independent judiciary and a major player in the often-controversial judicial nominations process. Notable accomplishments include helping to defeat Robert Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court in 1987; supporting the nomination of Roger Gregory, the first African American judge in the Fourth Circuit, in 2001; and organizing the effort that helped support ten Senate filibusters against President George W. Bush's most extreme judicial nominees.
She appears frequently as an expert on TV new shows and has taught at Georgetown and George Washington University Law Schools.
The Friday evening program opens with Sen. Ernie Chambers, a stalwart Nebraska state/church defender and litigant, who is receiving a "First Amendment Hero" Award.
Distinguished author and feminist Robin Morgan, speaking on "Fighting Words: Founders, Feminists & Freethinkers," will be named "Freethought Heroine 2005." The evening will end with a booksigning for Ms. Morgan, cake and beverages.
The Saturday morning program starts with the "Non-Prayer" breakfast. Convention-goers will then hear from "Student Activist" awardee Jennifer Musgrove, a student plaintiff in a state/church lawsuit. Foundation member and co-plaintiff Dianna Narciso, will also appear.
"Freethought Hero" David Habecker will speak about his lawsuit with the Foundation challenging his recall from office in Colorado because of failure to recite the religious Pledge of Allegiance. The morning program will conclude with David Corn, The Nation's D.C. editor, who will talk about theo-politics and sign books.
Following a lunch break, the eminent neurologist Oliver Sacks, M.D., also a bestselling author, will receive the Emperor Has No Clothes Award. Following Nan Aron's address, the afternoon will end with a "Getting Acquainted" Open Mike. Post-dinner entertainment will include cartoons by Foundation member Don Addis, recently retired editorial cartoonist with St. Petersburg Times, who will be awarded a Freethought in the Media "Tell It Like It Is" Award. Dan Barker, Foundation co-president, will provide a special hour of freethought music at the piano featuring many secular songwriters.
Book your hotel room at the Rosen Plaza Hotel by Fri., Oct. 14 for the convention rate of $125.00 single or double plus tax. Phone 1-800-627-8258 and request the group rate for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. In Florida, phone 407-996-9700. Or register online at www.rosenplaza.com using attendee code 12382.
The convention opens with registration at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, continues through Saturday, and concludes on Sunday, Nov. 13, with the annual membership and Board of Directors meetings, which end by noon.
You may register with FFRF at the door, but no meals (the Saturday nonprayer breakfast and Saturday banquet dinner) can be purchased unless you pre-register no later than Nov. 4. For any questions, last-minute registration or to use a credit card, phone the Freedom From Religion Foundation office 9-5 CST weekdays at 608/256-8900.