Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota and author of the new book "Courage to Stand," will open this year's Dairy Forum on Sunday, January 23, as the keynote speaker for the Chairman's Lecture. Pawlenty will share his reflections on leadership along with insight on public service, politics and the national political climate.
Also, former New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg, a respected voice on economics, health care and financial regulatory issues, will speak at the Welcome Breakfast on Monday, January 24, to discuss the relationship between politics and the economy.
The Honorable Tim Pawlenty
As governor of Minnesota, Pawlenty used innovative and conservative leadership to balance Minnesota's budget, cut spending, reform health care and improve schools without raising taxes. Under his leadership, Minnesota had a nationally recognized health care system, the highest school test scores and a growing economy.
Pawlenty's term as governor ended early this month, marking the first time that he has not held a political office in more than two decades. Just this month, he released his latest book entitled "Courage to Stand: An American Story" and began a book tour.
It's no secret that he's also considering a run for the presidency in 2012. In an interview this week with Fox News, Pawlenty said, "The book is called 'Courage to Stand' because if you're a conservative in Minnesota you've got to stand up to some powerful movements that go the other way, and I think I've learned a lot along the way that I can offer in a larger context."
In the same interview, he said his decision likely will hinge on "what the needs of the country are and what I can bring to the debate that might not be there or might not be there in full with some of the other candidates that may run."
The Honorable Judd Gregg
The featured speaker on the first full day of Dairy Forum, Gregg will share his insights on the complex relationship that exists between politics and the economy. His common-sense New Hampshire values have shaped some of the most significant legislation that Congress has passed in recent decades.
An advocate for fiscal discipline, Gregg served as the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee. As senator, he played a major role in rescuing the United States from the brink of economic collapse by acting as a chief negotiator for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
Gregg was a key decision maker on several important issues that involved championing bipartisan efforts, addressing the country's looming entitlement crisis, improving the national health care system and revamping the complex tax system. He was one of three Republication senators who served on President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility, which issued recommendations to Congress in December. Gregg also was the lead sponsor of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and co-authored the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 with the late Senator Ted Kennedy.
The complete agenda is available here. There's still time to register.