Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle Examines Americaís Health Care System at 104th Annual Meeting

January 22, 2008 12:00 AM

A dynamic and influential party leader who has cultivated a legacy as a tireless fighter for America’s common man, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will be the keynote speaker at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) 104th Annual Meeting, to be held May 17-20, 2008, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, MD. One of the most influential political figures in the United States, Senator Daschle has gained respect for his principles and passions through his commitment to America.

Speaking on the topic “Healthcare Reform: New Ideas for An Old Debate,” Senator Daschle will examine America’s health care system and lay out a series of ideas for solutions to the country’s problems.

Born in Aberdeen, SD, Senator Daschle graduated from South Dakota State University in 1969, and soon after entered the United States Air Force where he served as an intelligence officer in the Strategic Air Command until mid-1972. In 1978, Senator Daschle was elected to the House of Representatives, serving for eight years. He was one of the first members of Congress to serve in a Democratic leadership position in his first term of office as a regional whip.
Senator Daschle was elected to the Senate in 1986, and two years later became the first co-chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. During his tenure as leader, Senator Daschle co-managed the second impeachment trial for President Bill Clinton, led the Senate in response to the September 11th attacks, and took action upon an anthrax attack on his office.

In 2007, along with former Senate Majority Leaders George Mitchell, Bob Dole, and Howard Baker, Senator Daschle created the Bipartisan Policy Center, an organization dedicated to finding common ground on some of today’s pressing public policy challenges.

Today, Senator Daschle is a Special Policy Advisor to the law firm of Alston and Bird where he provides strategic advice on public policy issues, such as climate change, energy, health care, trade, financial services, and telecommunications. He is also a distinguished fellow at the Center for American Progress, a visiting professor at Georgetown University, and a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. In addition, Senator Daschle serves on the advisory boards of Intermedia Partners and BP America, Inc, and on the board of directors for CB Richard Ellis, Mascoma Corporation, Prime BioSolutions, the Freedom Forum, the Mayo Clinic, the LBJ Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

Senator Daschle has published articles in newspapers and periodicals, and is the author of the book, Like No Other Time. In the spring of 2008 he is releasing a new book, Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis, identifying the problems our country faces in providing quality health care, and offering innovative solutions to this crisis. He also holds a number of honorary doctorate degrees.

For more information on the 104th Annual Meeting, please contact the NABP Meeting Services Department at 847/391-4406 or via e-mail at custserv@nabp.net. Information and registration forms may also be found on the NABP Web site.

Larissa Doucette