Former Speaker of the House Jim Wright to Speak at IBEW Local 738 (Longview TX) Union Hall

Former U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright will talk Tuesday in Longview

By GLENN EVANS Monday, April 25, 2005

Former U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright will be among panelists in Longview on Tuesday discussing and taking questions in a free forum focused on the community and the work force.

Sponsored by a local labor union and state and local Democrats, the 7 p.m. forum is envisioned as the first of a monthly series of roundtable discussions.

"We're looking for subject matter that most of us can agree on, Republican or Democrat," Gregg County Democratic Party Vice Chairman Steve Richardson said. "Whether you're Republican or Democrat, you probably believe people ought to make a living wage."

The topic of Tuesday's forum, in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers hall at 2914 E. Marshall Ave., is the country's minimum wage. Along with Wright, panelists include an economist, a union official, local business owners and a workers advocate.

Richardson added that Wright, who was Democratic House speaker from 1987 to 1989, is well-suited to speak on minimum wage from the workers' standpoint.

"Mostly, what he did in his career was stand up for the little guys," Richardson said. "We're really excited about it, because this is pretty small potatoes for him. But he was excited to do it. He's going to be our first speaker this year. We hope to have somebody every month, hopefully into the (2006) primaries.

"We're going to follow this one up next month with a talk about Social Security and health care and Medicare," he said.

The IBEW hall is on the south side of East Marshall Avenue west of Loop 281.
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