August 14, 2003 (Washington, DC) – The American Forest & Paper Association is pleased to announce Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary and assistant to President George W. Bush, will be the guest speaker at the 127th Annual Paper Week Luncheon on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 in New York City. As White House Press Secretary, Mr. Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President Bush and delivered the daily White House briefings from 2001 to 2003. He earned a reputation as not only one of the most loyal White House press secretaries in recent times, but also one of the wittiest. His daily parries with the press were often covered live on 24 hour news networks. Mr. Fleischer will bring his quick wit and unique experiences to Paper Week where he will not only talk about current events, but also offer luncheon attendees an inside look at what it was like to work for President George W. Bush, who many call the “first CEO President”. Fleischer was with Bush through some of the most tumultuous times in modern history, including the 2000 campaign, the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, two wars, and the reenergized Middle East peace process. AF&PA’s 127th Annual Paper Week will be held March 21-23, 2004, at The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Paper Week is the premier annual event for the U.S. pulp, paper, and packaging industry, attracting more than 1,100 participants from all segments of the business, including domestic and foreign companies, producers, customers, suppliers, media, business strategists, industry experts, and leading financial analysts. AF&PA is the national trade association of the forest, paper and wood products industry. AF&PA represents more than 200 companies and related associations that engage in or represent the manufacture of pulp, paper, paperboard and wood products. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 7 percent of total U.S. manufacturing output, employs 1.5 million people, and ranks among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 42 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org. For more information on Paper Week 2004, including how to register, buy luncheon tickets, or become a sponsor, contact Connor Faught at (202) 463-2454 or [email protected].