For Immediate Release December 3, 1999

Contact: Tom MacKenzie 404/679-7291

Theodore Roosevelt IV to talk on restoring the Lower Mississippi WHO: Theodore Roosevelt IV WHAT: Keynote Address to focus public and media attention on the need to restore the rich fish and wildlife resources of the Lower Mississippi River Ecosystem, which have declined dramatically since President Teddy Roosevelt visited this area. WHERE: Old Vicksburg Courthouse 1008 Cherry Street Vicksburg, MS President Teddy Roosevelt once spoke at that historic courthouse which also hosts memorabilia from the original Teddy Bear hunt. WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Monday December 13, 1999 WHY: To increase public support for fish and wildlife conservation and restoration in the Lower Mississippi Valley, and for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Also to highlight: • The large-scale historical loss of forested wetlands and the effects of that loss on wildlife such as the ivory-billed woodpecker and the Louisiana black bear. • The need to restore wetlands and aquatic habitats of the Lower Mississippi River. • The importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System.. AUDIENCE: More than 200 representatives of State and Federal conservation agencies; private conservation organizations; the Corps of Engineers and local levee board officials; elected officials and their staffs (local, State, and Congressional); the agricultural and timber sectors; corporate representatives; and the general public. Release #: R99-092