Conservative Columnist, ACLU President To Debate Civil Liberties Jan. 24

Jan. 13, 2000
University Park, Pa. –William F. Buckley Jr., founder of the conservative journal "National Review" and former host of the long-running show "Firing Line," will enter a debate on current challenges to civil liberties with Nadine Strossen, president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), at 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 24, in Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium. Buckley and Strossen are appearing as part of Penn State’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

In 1955 Buckley founded the "National Review," which is today the journal of opinion with the largest circulation in the United States. He began his syndicated column, "On the Right," in 1962, and began hosting "Firing Line" in 1966. Buckley won an Emmy Award for program achievement and the TV Guide Award for Best Television Interviewer.

Buckley ran for mayor of New York City in 1965, and he has been a presidential appointee to the U.S. Information Agency, the United Nations and the National Security Council. In 1991 Buckley received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

His books include the bestsellers "Atlantic High" and "Airborne," which he based on his travel experiences. His new book, "Nearer, My God: An Autobiography of Faith," was published this fall.

Strossen, a professor of constitutional law with the New York Law School, became the first female president of the ACLU in 1991. She has written, lectured and practiced extensively in the areas of constitutional law, civil liberties and international human rights.

In 1991 and 1994, the National Law Journal named Strossen one of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America." In 1996 Working Woman Magazine listed her among the "350 Women Who Changed The World 1976-1996."

Strossen’s writings have been published in many scholarly and general interest publications. Her book, "Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women’s Rights," was named by the New York Times as a "notable book" of 1995.

Buckley’s and Strossen’s debate is supported by the student activities fee. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Students with valid Penn State IDs may obtain tickets on Monday, Jan. 17 at the Eisenhower Auditorium ticket box office. Faculty, staff and students with valid Penn State IDs may obtain tickets on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Any remaining tickets will be available to the general public Wednesday, Jan. 19 on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may also be available the night of the speech. The Eisenhower ticket box office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at (814) 863-3786.

The Distinguished Speakers Series will also include John Walsh, at 8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 21, in Eisenhower Auditorium. A tireless advocate for victims' rights and missing children, Walsh is the host of "The New America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back."

**klt**

Contact: Karen Trimbath, at (814) 865-7517, or at

The National Review is online at: http://www.nationalreview.com/

The American Civil Liberties Union is online at: http://www.aclu.org/