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ICI•pg_3-13__BMT_pg3-58 1/22/13 1:13 AM Page 8 IN THE NEWS 36TH ANNUAL NBCSL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON LEADING A UNITED FRONT: DIVERSE NOT DIVIDED State Legislators to Convene in the Nation's Capital With Advocates, Corporate Executives, and Public Policy Experts toDiscuss the Nation's Most Pressing Issues Affecting Under-Served and Impoverished Communities Black lawmakers from across the United States will convene at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., December 59, 2012, as the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) hosts its 36th Annual Legislative Conference. Themed "Leading a United Front: Diverse Not Divided," this year's conference underscores NBCSL's commitment to the spirit of unity and collaboration, supporting the President and Congress. Over 500 legislators are expected to be in attendance. "When we look at the urgent issues facing our state legislators each year, we can see the critical importance of embracing our diversity and making certain that all of us are included in the legislative process," explained NBCSL President Barbara W. Ballard, Kansas State Representative. "President Barack Obama and Congress have always looked to the states for leadership on how to best serve the American people, because we live and work at the grassroots level. NBCSL stands ready to offer the country that united front," she further stated. The conference begins with a Youth Congress Day event where 250 students from schools throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. will participate in a guided mock legislature designed to teach them about the legislative process while engaging them on issues most important to them. NBCSL leadership will then convene a press conference on December 5. Members of the press are invited to hear updates on the conference schedule, words from high-profile speakers, and an overview of the conference. As a part of the press event, a Maryland couple will share personal testimony of tragedy and triumph, and how NBCSL policy efforts helped pass legislation benefiting families and communities across the country. Throughout the conference, NBCSL members will discuss policy issues that they will later draft into substantive policy resolutions and then ratify. These resolutions will serve as the basis for both state and federal legislation and collaboration with community-based and advocacy organizations. Passed resolutions have resulted in enacted laws, regulations, and executive orders. NBCSL members and a diverse group of policy experts will caucus on the following trending policy issues: •Attacking Obesity from the Start: Supporting Children's Nutrition. •Nuclear Energy 360⁰: Secure Families and Safe Communities in the Wake of Fukushima Daiichi. •Ownership, Entrepreneurship, and Wealth Creation in the African-American Community. Health Information Technology: The Future is Now. The organization is also to host a closing plenary titled, "Dismantling Barriers to Institutional Racism in the 21st Century: From School Discipline to Deadly Force." "We are discussing real, life-changing issues through this event," Rep. Ballard concluded. "From our Youth Congress to our policy sessions to our closing plenary, we will be looking at how a spirit of cooperation can make it possible for government to run smoothly and efficiently. The American people are not one homogenous group, and neither are we at NBCSL. We have always been inclusive, tackling issues that impact all Americans. We never forget our constituents at home and how badly they need us to be their voice. We pass legislation that benefits them, improving their lives, their families, and their communities." For more information on the conference, please visit http://nbcsl.org/conference2012/. THE BATTLE CONTINUES...IN ORLANDO - JUST ANNOUNCED: BLOCKBUSTER MEGA-ATTRACTION "TRANSFORMERS: THE RIDE - 3D" COMING TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT IN SUMMER 2013 Hugely-Successful Attraction Will Now Be Featured atThree Universal Parks Worldwide Get ready – it's time to prepare for battle... Universal Orlando Resort announced recently that its next blockbuster attraction will be the widely-popular TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D. The groundbreaking ride – created under license from Hasbro, Inc. and based on its iconic TRANSFORMERS brand – will bring the intergalactic battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons to Universal Studios Florida in summer 2013. Already a "must-see" at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is a mind-blowing, action-packed ride experience that you have to see to believe. You will come face to face with Megatron. You will dodge explosions and attacks by the Decepticons. You will fight to save mankind alongside Optimus Prime and the Autobots. It will be the greatest battle you'll ever ride. Universal worked closely with Michael Bay, the award-wining director of the "TRANSFORMERS" film series and the ride's creative consultant, to create an authentic experience that brings the non-stop action of the films to life. The attraction combines the larger-than-life TRANSFORMERS characters and an exciting storyline with life-like HD CGI media, state-of-the-art 3-D technology and amazing special effects to place riders right in the middle of an epic battle between good and evil. "We broke the mold and have taken this ride to a new technological level in terms of blending seamless 3-D," said Bay. "TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D is the perfect addition to Universal Orlando's thrilling theme park experiences," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "The ride has already proven to be a hit at our Hollywood and Singapore parks, and we're excited that Universal Orlando guests will soon 8 B M & T ••• November/December 2012 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com