Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michael S. Steele, lieutenant governor for the state of Maryland, will deliver the 37^th annual Pope John XXIII Lecture at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, in the law building’s Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. Auditorium.

C-SPAN will broadcast the lecture live: visit http://www.c-span.org/ for details.

Lt. Gov. Steele will address the role lawyers can play in service to society. The topic is a strong thematic fit for the law school’s most prominent annual lecture. Since 1965, the Pope John XXIII Lecture Series has provided a forum for outstanding professionals from politics, academia, the judiciary and other influential fields to share their perspectives on a wide variety of current topics.

“I am delighted that Lieutenant Governor Steele has accepted our invitation to address our community on this important topic,” said Veryl V. Miles, the newly inaugurated dean of the Columbus School of Law. “This law school takes pride in producing compassionate and talented attorneys who search for ways to give back to society,” she said. “Our students look forward to learning from a distinguished public servant whose own career has consistently reflected a deep concern for the welfare of others.”

In January 2003, Michael S. Steele earned a place in history when he became the first African American elected to statewide office in Maryland. Currently he is the highest-ranking African American Republican elected official in the nation and serves as the only sitting African American lieutenant governor in the country. Steele serves as a partner, advisor and principal representative for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and is deeply involved in outreach to Maryland's business, education and faith-based communities.

The Pope John XXIII Lecture Series honors the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, 1958-63. Previous lecturers have included Judge Robert H. Bork, Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey, and Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, then-archbishop of Philadelphia.

MEDIA: For more information, contact Tom Haederle in the law school’s Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5438.

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Any questions or comments? cu a-public-affairs@cua.edu

Revised: 8/29/2005