Cooper Named Chairman of G8 Summit Host Committee

Atlanta - Today Senator Zell Miller and Senator Saxby Chambliss joined Governor Sonny Perdue in announcing the appointment of Frederick E. Cooper of Atlanta to serve as the Chairman of the Host Committee for the upcoming G8 Summit. The 2004 G8 Summit, hosted by President George W. Bush, will be held on Sea Island, Georgia, on June 8th, 9th, and 10th.

Mr. Cooper is a prominent leader in the Georgia business community. He is the former President of Flowers Industries and the current Chairman of Cooper Capital, LLC. In addition, Mr. Cooper has been a pillar of the Georgia community and currently serves on the Board of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the University of Georgia Foundation.

"With his business expertise and his deep commitment to Georgia over the years, Fred Cooper is the perfect person to showcase our great state to the nation and to the world. He will do an outstanding job for the President and for Georgia," U.S. Senator Zell Miller said.

Mr. Cooper, a part-time resident of Sea Island, has long held an interest in the Georgia Coast. Sea Island, Georgia, one of four barrier islands known as the Golden Isles, is off the southern coast of Georgia. As Chairman of the Host Committee for the 2004 G8 Summit, he will assemble corporate leaders from across the country to help ensure the Summit's success.

"The G8 summit is being held on Sea Island, one of Georgia's environmental jewels, and the Governor has appointed a great Georgian in Fred Cooper to serve as Chairman of the Host Committee," said Senator Saxby Chambliss. "President Bush and the leaders of the member nations of the G8 will see Georgia at its best, from the natural beauty and serenity of the Golden Isles of Georgia to the Southern hospitality Fred Cooper will provide as Chairman of the Host Committee."

Mr. Cooper, a graduate of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, returned to Georgia to receive a law degree from the University of Georgia Law School. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.

"As Chair of the G8 Summit Host Committee, Fred Cooper will provide strong and effective leadership as we prepare to host the world's leaders in Sea Island next June. Fred's guidance and insight will help us extend a warm Georgia welcome to our international guests. I look forward to working with him and the entire host committee," said Governor Sonny Perdue.

Mr. Cooper and his wife, Helen, have two sons and three grandchildren. They reside in Atlanta.

"I am honored to play this role for our country and our President. This is our opportunity to show the world why we love Georgia so much. I look forward to the hard work that lies ahead and to the tremendous worldwide attention our state will receive. I deeply appreciate the faith our leaders have placed in me. We won't let Georgia down," Mr. Cooper said.