Ray Kurzweil,  Sen. Tom Harkin, diet guru Dr. Dean Ornish To Speak At Race  Reconciliation Gathering On Health and Wellness

Washington, DC (RushPRNews) 02/27/09 – Former US Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen and his wife, Janet Langhart Cohen, will be hosting the 2^nd Annual RARIA Conference: Health and Wellness for All on March 16^th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Joining them in this daylong gathering will be inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil, described by Forbes magazine as “the ultimate thinking machine” and other wellness experts, such as legislative leader Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and diet guru Dr. Dean Ornish.

The March 16^th meeting follows the Cohens’ acclaimed July 2008 initiative where the focus was on race and reconciliation in America. This event was broadcast by C-SPAN and CNN.com and brought together political, entertainment, religious, academic, and community organization leaders from across the country to discuss the impact of race on education, law and criminal justice, economic inequality, and the next generation.

“We’re very pleased that the July discussions prompted such a positive national response,” said Secretary Cohen, “and we think that is being reflected in the scope and level of thought leader participation as we prepare to address the key aspects of health issues that affect black and white citizens throughout our country.”

Janet Langhart Cohen, who has created a long-term non-profit organization to sustain and expand a nationwide dialogue on issues of race and reconciliation, said “Our March 16 discussions will focus on key area we must address as individuals and as a nation, as we seek to define and shape public and private sector approaches to health care that benefit all Americans:   What is wellness?  What economic factors affect our health and well-being?  What obstacles do Americans, black or white, face in achieving healthy bodies and healthy minds?  What must we know and what must we teach to reach those goals? “

In addition to Kurzweil, Harkin and Ornish, other confirmed participants include Dr. Michael Roizen of the Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Mehmood Khan, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of PepsiCo ; Dr. Deepak Chopra, best selling author and founder of the Chopra Center for Well Being; Helene D. Gayle, President and Chief Executive Officer of CARE; distinguished medical practitioner Dr. Sharon Malone, whose spouse, Eric Holder, now serves as Attorney General; and Leo V. Williams, III, Major General, US Marine Corps (Retired), Executive Vice President of Medifast, Inc

The March 16^th event will be co-sponsored by the New York-based non-profit philanthropic Howard Gilman Foundation of New York, which has gained prominence for its White Oak conferences on public policy, conservation and the arts. Foundation Board Member Doug Wilson said “we were honored to partner with Bill and Janet Cohen for their seminal discussions on race and reconciliation last year, and we are pleased to join them again, as they continue their efforts to address key issues that will help all of us to face and bridge America’s racial divide.”

The conference is open to the press. For more information and to cover the event, contact Jennifer Harris, by email at jharris@langhartcommunications.com, or by phone at (571) 991-5675, office Langhart Communications

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