Dennis Kucinich

Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Congressman and Democratic presidential candidate, will give a speech at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at UNC Asheville’s Justice Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The event is sponsored by UNC Asheville College Democrats and Buncombe County Young Democrats. Donations to benefit both groups will be accepted at the door.

An Ohio native, Kucinich has been a lifelong public servant. He began his political career as a member of the Cleveland City Council, and at age 31, was elected mayor of Cleveland, the youngest person elected to lead a major American city. He served as mayor for two years. In 1994, Kucinich was elected to the Ohio Senate and in 1996 he was elected to the U.S. Congress, where he continues to serve. He has been an advocate of universal healthcare, creation of a cabinet-level Department of Peace, repeal of the Patriot Act and restoration of America's manufacturing infrastructure. In 2004, Kucinich ran for president on the Democratic ticket and is currently at work on his 2008 campaign.

Kucinich has received numerous awards, including the Gandhi Peace Award, presented in 2003 by Religious Society of Friends. He has also been honored by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and the League of Conservation Voters as a champion of clean air and water.

For more information about this event, call UNC Asheville College Democrats President Griffin Payne at 919/741-8331 or click on www.buncombedems.com.