MORGAN HOSTS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DEBATE

- First of Two National Debates Sponsored by Congressional Black Caucus -

Morgan State University will host a debate between the Democratic presidential candidates on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. in the Gilliam Concert Hall of the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center.

This is the first of two debates that are sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute. The second will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2003 in Detroit, Michigan.

"Morgan is pleased to host the Democratic Presidential Debate," said President Earl S. Richardson. "We think the Gilliam Concert Hall is the appropriate venue for such a prestigious event. It not only raises the national profile of both Morgan and the City of Baltimore, it also enhances the university's position as one of the jewels of this region. We are extremely grateful to Congressman Elijah Cummings for what he has done to make this happen."

"Debates play an important role in the election process," said Congressman Cummings. "We want to make sure people have access to the candidates and their positions on critical issues in order to make informed choices when voting." Cummings of Maryland is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

All nine of the Democratic candidates who were invited have agreed to participate in the debates. Each will be broadcast live to a national television audience by Fox News.

The format of the program will include a panel of three journalists: Ed Gordon of Black Entertainment Television; Juan Williams, columnist for the Washington Post and commentator for Fox News; and, multimedia journalist Farai Chideya, who has been a political analyst for CNN and ABC News and Oxygen Channel.

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a coeducational institution offering more than 60 academic programs leading to bachelor's degrees as well as programs at the master's and doctoral levels. As Maryland's public urban university, Morgan serves a multi-ethnic and multi-racial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information on Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.