G8 Host Committee Names Honorary Co-Chairmen, Vice Chairmen

Atlanta - Today the G8 Host Committee named a group of Georgia's political leadership as Honorary Co-Chairmen and several prominent Georgia citizens as Vice Chairmen of the state's initiative to show the international media and Summit delegates Georgia's hospitality and to raise the private sector funds for the Sea Island Summit.

Joining Host Committee Chairman Fred Cooper as Honorary Co-Chairmen will be Governor Sonny Perdue, Senators Zell Miller and Saxby Chambliss and Congressmen Jack Kingston and Max Burns. Agreeing to serve as Vice Chairmen are William "Bill" Jones, III, Larry Thompson, the Honorable Andrew Young, Alston Watt and former Senator Mack Mattingly.

"I am honored to join with my colleagues and with these exceptional Georgia citizens to ensure that we as a state put our best foot forward as we welcome members of the international community to Georgia," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This kind of opportunity to showcase everything Georgia has to offer in such a high-profile way only comes along once in a lifetime."

"We as a state have been given the unique opportunity to show the world what a vibrant and special place Georgia's coast is. It is incumbent on us as its citizens to highlight the hospitality and economic power we have to offer," said the Honorable Andrew Young.

"It is great to be a part of the G8 Summit coming to coastal Georgia and to watch the plan unfold to make an unforgettable event," said Congressman Jack Kingston. Next June, the world will get to see the beauty and history of the Golden Isles. Together we will welcome the leaders of Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the European Union and show them some true southern hospitality."

I could not be more pleased that this very impressive group of Georgia citizens has agreed to join me in working with the White House to support this historic event. It is through efforts of individuals and the business community that we will show the world the hospitality of the United States and of Georgia. No one will leave coastal Georgia without saying 'I'd like to come back to Georgia - they did it right," said Fred Cooper, G8 Host Committee Chairman.