June 16, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

[TO LISTEN TO AUDIO OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE, CLICK ON: http://craig.senate.gov/clips/uischolar062006.mp3.] 

(Washington, DC) A news conference announcing a new scholarship for injured veterans attending the University of Idaho will be announced and explained Tuesday, June 20, in Washington, DC.

The Helping Our Heroes Foundation, which provides funding, services, and volunteers to veterans wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan operations, has provided initial funding and pledged continued support of the program.

WHO:

• U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. He served as Student Body President of the University of Idaho from 1968-69.
• University of Idaho President Timothy White and First Lady Dr. Karen White ? She is the honorary chair of the new scholarship program
• U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson
• U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne ? the immediate past Governor of Idaho, he served as Student Body President of the University of Idaho from 1974-75.
• U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
• U.S. Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-Idaho - 1st District)
• U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho - 2nd District)
• U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor (D- Mississippi) Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee
• Humberto Cerrillo, Current Student Body President, University of Idaho
• Karen Theobald Conlin, President, Helping Our Heroes Foundation

• Col. Mary Carstensen, Director of the US Army Wounded Warrior Program

WHAT: Press conference announcing new University of Idaho scholarship for veterans severely wounded as a result of service since Sept. 11, 2001.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 20 ? Starting at 10 a.m. Eastern

WHERE: U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing room
418 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC

NOTE TO T.V. STATIONS

We will send footage of the news conference via satellite on Tuesday at

1:45 Mountain/12:45 Pacific/3:45 Eastern
AMC 1
TRANSPONDER: 20 VERTICAL
DOWNLINK:4100
AUDIO 6.2/6.8
C-BAND

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