News Harris-Stowe State University For Immediate Release Contact: Courtney McCall (314) 340-3391 mccallc@hssu.edu Harris-Stowe to Collaborate with Congressman Clay to Host Voting Rights Symposium ST. LOUIS, MO (March 9, 2012) - Harris-Stowe State University, in collaboration with Congressman William "Lacy" Clay, First District - Missouri, will host a Voting Rights Symposium: Protecting Our Most Fundamental Constitutional Right, Friday, March 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the Emerson Performance Center's Bank of America Theatre. Additional partners on this event include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and The Advancement Project. This event is expected to attract visiting members of Congress, Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network and host of MSNBC's "Politics Nation," who will offer brief remarks as well as national non-profit leaders who are working to defend voting rights. Ray Hartmann of St. Louis Magazine will serve as the moderator for a panel of guests, including Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chief Deputy Whip, U.S. House Democratic Caucus; Missouri State Representative Stacey Newman, 73rd District; Congresswoman Gwen Moore; Kim Keenan, general counsel, NAACP National Office and Denise Lieberman, senior attorney, The Advancement Project. Harris-Stowe President Dr. Albert Walker will bring welcoming remarks. It is estimated that more than 250,000 Missourians have no state ID and are not allowed to vote. Some 33,000 individuals possess expired identification, leaving many with their voting rights at risk. The majority of people fall into three categories: the elderly, African-American or individuals between the ages of 18 and 24. This non-campaigning event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as space is limited and major security procedures are in place. For more information, please visit www.lacyclay.house.gov or call (314) 383-5240. Harris-Stowe State University, located in midtown St. Louis, is a four-year institution that offers 14 degree programs in the areas of Accounting, Business Administration, Biology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Care Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Sciences and Computer Technology, Mathematics, Middle School Education, Professional Interdisciplinary Studies, Secondary Education and Urban Affairs. Ranked by U.S. News as one of America's Best Colleges in the Midwest, the university, which has been in existence for more than 150 years, offers the most affordable bachelor's degree in the metropolitan area. ### **********************Harris-Stowe State University********************** This e-mail is confidential and sent only to specified recipient(s). However, all e-mail is subject to possible interception by third parties. *************Contact postmaster@hssu.edu to report problems**************