Untitled Document

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

April 20, 2004

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Brings Two N.C. Young Leaders to Next Generation Summit

WASHINGTON - Two young leaders from the Second Congressional District will join U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) and 250 of their peers for the "Next Generation Democratic Summit" on Wednesday. Courtney Crowder of Raleigh and Jillian Hunter Eddins of Dunn will participate in the day-long summit highlighting the issues important to America's youth and fostering discussion about strategies for increasing young Americans' involvement in their communities and in public service.

"I am so glad that Courtney and Hunter can join me for this important summit focusing on the next generation of America's leaders," Etheridge said. "These two are leading their peers today and are well on their way to leading our country tomorrow. Our young people are the future of this country, and this summit is an important way to involve and energize them."

Crowder, a 2000 graduate of N.C. Central University, is the current president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina. Crowder now serves as legislative liaison in the N.C. Department of Insurance after working for several years in Etheridge's Raleigh Office. Crowder is pursuing his master's degree in liberal studies at Duke University.

Eddins, a 2003 graduate of Meredith College, is currently attending the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. She is active in Campbell Law Democrats and served as Southern Regional Model United Nations Delegate and Women in History Panel Chair at Meredith.

Crowder and Eddins will hear remarks from Sens. Hillary Clinton and Tom Daschle and Reps. Kendrick Meek, Harold Ford, Jr. and Nancy Pelosi. The summit will also feature breakout sessions chaired by Members of Congress on issues ranging from civil rights and education to jobs and the economy and national service. The day will wrap up with a Youth Activism Town Hall moderated by MTV's Gideon Yago where young leaders, entertainers and Members of Congress will discuss ways to get young Americans involved in their communities.