Bush to address Black Expo

President Bush will be visiting Indianapolis today to attend the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Mitch Daniels used his connections with Bush to secure his presence at Thursday's Corporate Luncheon, which will last from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. \nTickets for the luncheon were sold out before the president announced he would speak. Seats were largely purchased by businesses and corporations. \nThe president's visit will be an important publicity boost to the Indiana Black Expo, as well as an opportunity for blacks in Indiana to establish a dialogue with him. In its 35 years, this it the first time the Black Expo has had a U.S. president in attendance. \nCharlie Nelms, one of IU's main representatives at the event said despite personal politics, he is happy to see the president giving the Expo recognition. \n"No matter what side of the line one may sit on, George Bush is the President of the U.S.", Nelms said. "Is there anyone in the free world who will not have heard of the Black Expo, by virtue of the president's visit?"\nNelms said that while the Black Expo will benefit from the presence of Bush, there's no need to lose perspective on Black Expo's role as an advocate for African American's in the state. \n"I think the issue is Black Expo is much bigger than George Bush," Nelms said. "Thirty-five years ago, nobody had ever heard of George W. Bush."\nWhether or not many of the attendants of the dinner support Bush, Nelms said this will be an opportunity for blacks to have their issues heard. \n"It's important (for Bush) to know and hear something about the issues affecting the black community," Nelms said. "Black leaders will be able to convey to him the challenges of the black people in the state."\nAlpha Garrett of Indiana Black Expo said that the president was on a list of possible speakers, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She said Governor Daniels was key in bringing the president to Indiana. Daniels used to be Director of The Office of Management and Budget for Bush before he ran for governor of Indiana.\nGarrett said Bush has developed several initiatives which parallel the mission of the Indiana Black Expo. \nShe mentioned the Going Home Initiative tries to prevent recidivism in people released from prison, and Bush's efforts to create AIDS/HIV awareness, and his initiatives to build communities. \nIf nothing else, Garrett said people will view this as a unique opportunity to see the president. \n"A lot of people will be happy to have the chance to see the president," she said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of people."\nBush will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the luncheon. \nA president of a different kind will also be receiving an Award at the Luncheon. Former President of the IU board of trustees James T. Morris will be receiving the Freedom Award in honor of his work as Executive Director of the UN World Food Program. Morris served a 3-year term as president of the board of trustees which ended in 2002 when he was appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to be the Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in South Africa.