FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: September 19, 2003

Contact:

Steve Rector
Public Affairs Director
208-331-4725
Reed Hollinshead
Media & Public Relations Officer
208-331-4858

Tickets Available to Hear Keynote Speakers at Governor's Conference on Housing

CNN "Crossfire" Co-host and political analyst Tucker Carlson - Monday, Oct. 6, Noon-2 pm
Homeless to Harvard: An Inspirational Journey Liz Murray - Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12:30-2:30 pm
HGTV "Dream Builders" Host Scott Morgan - Wednesday, Oct. 8, Noon-2 pm

BOISE - Tickets are now available for luncheons with the national speakers listed above who will be presenting keynote addresses at the 2003 Idaho Governor's Conference on Housing at the Boise Centre on the Grove Oct. 6-8. Biographical sketches of the speakers follow this page.

Tickets are $25 for each lunch and can be reserved online by visiting www.2003govconf.org, clicking on "Speakers" and following the instructions. Those interested may buy tickets for any of the three speakers individually, or for multiple speakers. They also may contact IHFA's Public Affairs department at (208) 331-4858 to be placed on a Will Call list.

Walk-ins are welcome, but seating is limited. Group seating also is available for companies but is only ensured through advance purchase.

Online registration also is underway for the entire 2003 Idaho Governor's Conference on Housing. Interested persons can access the secure online registration site at www.2003govconf.org by clicking on the "Registration" link. The conference's 21 workshops brings together key housing industry representatives to collaborate on meeting the state's affordable housing needs.

Workshop topics focus on banking and lending; building and developing; real estate ownership and sales; and public sector. A regional and national economic outlook will open the conference.

2003 IDAHO GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON HOUSING

Keynote Speakers

Tucker Carlson: Political Analyst and co-host of CNN's "Crossfire"

Monday, Oct. 6: Noon-2 pm

As co-host of CNN's popular and provocative debate program "Crossfire" and political analyst for CNN's Washington, D.C., bureau, Tucker Carlson has interviewed and profiled virtually every major player in national politics. George W. Bush, John McCain, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry and John Edwards-he knows them all, from "Crossfire" and the campaign trail. Carlson is an expert on the political scene, both in our nation's capitol and outside of it. Carlson takes audiences behind the closed doors of Washington and offers a candid, up-to-the-moment look at political and current events. He is an original voice with keen insights into the political landscape and the agendas and personalities at play.

Liz Murray: Homeless to Harvard, an Inspirational Journey

Tuesday, Oct. 7: 12:30-2:30 pm

Liz Murray's life is a stunning example of triumph over adversity. As the child of cocaine-addicted parents in the Bronx, her life was bitterly grim. Murray was supporting her drug-addicted parents at age 10, and at age 15 she was homeless after the death of her mother. Murray describes how she overcame incredible odds to finish high school in just two years while living on the streets and was subsequently awarded a full scholarship to Harvard.

Scott Morgan: Host, HGTV's "Dream Builders" series

Wednesday, Oct. 8: Noon-2 pm

Scott Morgan is host of the National Association of Home Builders' Home and Garden Television series, "Dream Builders". He returns to the Governor's Conference on Housing after a very successful stint as the closing keynote speaker at the 2000 conference. As an HGTV host, Morgan combines his flair for the dramatic with practical know-how, to share inspiring stories about bringing the dream of housing to some of America's most needy. He'll also preview the upcoming season highlights.

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The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing organization, provides funding for affordable housing in Idaho communities where they are most needed and when it is economically feasible. IHFA uses no state funds or state employees to support its operations. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ihfa.org.