WASHINGTON, July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, will address the National Press Club at a luncheon on Friday, July 24. His current issues include accountability for policies on torture, warrantlessp wiretapping, state secrets, and Iraq. Other subjects he is pursuing include single payer health care in national health insurance and action against hate crimes.

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Conyers has called for investigating the decisions and legality of the Bush Administration's policies on torture, warrantless wiretapping, and attorney firing. Conyers has said, "Even after scores of hearings, investigations, and reports, we still do not have answers to some of the most fundamental questions. Investigations are not a matter of payback or political revenge -- it is our responsibility to examine what has occurred and to set an appropriate baseline of conduct for future administrations."

Conyers has also been a long-time advocate of single-payer national health insurance reform and his bill has 80 cosponsors. He has said, "We are the richest country in the world and our doctors and medical facilities are the envy of our neighbors. Yet, our broken private insurance system burdens our business community and allows many of our fellow citizens to suffer or die unnecessarily. Two-thirds of our nation's personal bankruptcies can be attributed directly to medical expenses. A single payer system will allow us to cover everyone without spending any more money than we do now."

Elected to Congress in 1964, Conyers has served Michigan's 14th district, including large areas of Detroit, for 45 years. In a profile of Conyers entitled "John Conyers: Persistence and Power," Jack Anderson wrote in the Washington Post, "Conyers is a serious player and a junkyard dog investigator, watching out for the taxpayer's wallet by rooting out fraud, waste and abuse in every corner of the bureaucracy." Anderson called him an "unapologetic" advocate of the "downtrodden ... armed with stature, savvy, and the investigative power of the subpoena. Conyers has come of age but without losing the attitude of the rebel."

The National Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. and McGovern's remarks will begin just after 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Advance reservations should be made by contacting reservations at the National Press Club, (202) 662-7500. Cost of luncheon admission is $17 for National Press Club members, $28 for their guests and $35 for general admission.

Credentialed press may cover this event with proper ID. To submit a question in advance, put CONYERS in the subject line and email president@press.org. You can submit a question whether you are able to attend the luncheon or not. If you do submit a question, please do so before 11 a.m. on the day of the luncheon.

SOURCE National Press Club

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