Congressman Dave Obey to Keynote DPW Founders Day Gala

Founders Day to Honor and Celebrate
Appropriations Chair’s 40 Years in Congress

MADISON – Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) Chair Joe Wineke announced today that Congressman Dave Obey will keynote the Party’s annual Founders Day Gala on Saturday, May 16 at the MidwestAirlinesCenter in Milwaukee. During the event, Democrats from across the state will gather to honor and celebrate Obey’s 40 years of service in Congress.

“During his 40 years in Congress, Dave Obey has been a fierce and courageous advocate for working families, and we are honored to have him keynote our Founders Day Gala,” said Wineke. “To Democrats across the state, Obey is an unwavering progressive leader, and heir to the legacy of Robert La Follette.”

Founder’s Day is the Party’s signature event and primary annual fundraiser for Democrats in Wisconsin. This year, Founders Day will help the Party build on the success of the 2008 presidential and state elections and ensure continued Democratic victories in 2010 and beyond. Event details follow:

WHAT: Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s 2009 Annual Founders Day Gala.

WHEN: 6:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009

WHERE: Midwest AirlinesCenter,

400 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

For ticket information, visit our website at www.wisdems.org or contact Mary Lang Sollinger at 608.260.2408 or maryls@wisdems.org. All tickets include a copy of Congressman Obey’s book, Raising Hell for Justice.

About Congressman Obey:

Obey, of Wausau, is a progressive in the tradition of Robert La Follette. He has been a Democratic Member of Congress since 1969, representing Wisconsin’s 7^th Congressional District. Obey was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1962 and served until 1968, when he was elected to the House to replace eight-term incumbent Melvin R. Laird.

Obey, only 30 when he was elected, became the youngest member of Congress upon taking his seat. He has been re-elected 18 times and is the third-longest serving member of the House. In Congress, Obey chaired the commission to write the House’s Code of Ethics. Among the reforms he instituted was one requiring members of the House to disclose their personal financial dealings to reveal potential conflicts of interest. Obey currently serves as chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.