A Gerrymander 'Birthday'

Released July 18, 2005

FairVote and Congressional supporters of the
Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act speak on the
need for nationwide standards for redistricting

 

WHAT:






A press conference and belated “birthday party” for Elbridge B. Gerry, 5th Vice President of the US and inventor of gerrymandering. A group of distinguished speakers will discuss Rep. John Tanner’s “Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act” and the skyrocketing incumbent-retention rate in Congress. The FIR Act has recently reached 31 cosponsors. Free birthday cake will be available after the press conference.
WHEN:
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005 at 3:30 pm
(a few days after Elbridge Gerry’s birthday)
WHERE:



 Room HC-7 of the Capitol Building
Washington, DC
Capitol pass is required.

WHO:
Rep. John Tanner (TN) - Sponsor of the Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act
John B. Anderson - Former Congressman and 1980 Independent presidential candidate
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR) - Cosponsor
Rep. Allen Boyd (FL) - Cosponsor
Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA) – Cosponsor
& Other supporters of the Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act

VISUALS:
Congressmen will cut up a large frosted birthday cake in a demonstration of how whoever draws legislative boundaries has the power to reward friends and punish enemies politically.



For information or comment on this event or the issue of redistricting, contact Ryan O’Donnell at (301) 270-4616 or ryan@fairvote.org.

FairVote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that studies the impact of electoral rules and systems on turnout, representation and electoral competition. Its president is John B. Anderson, former Congressman and presidential candidate.