National Headquarters Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. 635 James Street · Syracuse, NY 13202 · (315)472-0001 · FAX (315)472-0002 · [email protected] For Immediate Release Contact: Tracy Carman, ext. 201

September 13, 1999 Jerry Bledsoe to Open Literacy Volunteers of America National Conference Syracuse, NY -- Jerry Bledsoe, best selling author of 17 books, will be the opening keynote speaker at the Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA) National Conference in Nashville, TN. Bledsoe is scheduled to speak at the opening plenary session on Nov. 10, 1999 at 8 p.m. �We are very pleased to have such an accomplished author and ardent supporter of adult literacy as a keynote speaker,� said Marsha L. Tait, national president of LVA. �Jerry Bledsoe�s presence at the opening session will set the stage for a wonderful conference.� Bledsoe is the author of 17 books, including the New York Times #1 best seller, �Bitter Blood.� Several of his books have been produced as TV movies. He has written for the Charlotte Observer and the Greensboro News & Record. His writing won numerous awards, including two National Headliner Awards and two Ernie Pyle Memorial Awards. He is a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee. The national conference will bring together LVA professionals, trainers, program managers, board members, students and tutors for networking and workshops on literacy issues. The opening session is sponsored by Philip Morris Companies. Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. is a national, not-for-profit organization, managed by professionals, which assists adults and their families to acquire literacy skills through a network of more than 50,000 volunteers nationwide. The LVA network consists of more than 363 community programs in 40 states and the District of Columbia in which volunteers are trained to tutor adults and their families. - ### -