Pelosi, House Democrats to Host Economic Forum on Wednesday

'Restoring the American dream for millions of our nation's working families has been a central priority for House Democrats,' Pelosi said.  'Congress will continue to focus our attention and efforts on the strains Americans are feeling, especially with the mortgage foreclosure crisis and the falling purchasing power of their paychecks.  At this forum, we will bring together the leading minds on these issues with the legislators who are prepared to make a difference.'

The forum is the latest in an ongoing effort by the 110th Congress to deliver a New Direction for Economic Security.  In December, House Democrats hosted an economic forum to discuss the state of America's economy, and Pelosi has hosted two health care forums to discuss a vision for the future of our health care system.

With American families facing real hardships as they struggle to make ends meet in a slowing economy, the New Direction Congress joined with President Bush last month to enact a bipartisan economic stimulus package that provides tax relief to 130 million American families and helps create jobs.  And as Americans suffer from skyrocketing gas prices at the pump, the House last week passed legislation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower energy costs by investing in renewable energy.

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Among those who will attend the forum are:

Patrick E. Clancy - Mr. Clancy is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Community Builders, Inc., an organization focused on building and sustaining strong communities by developing, financing, and operating high quality affordable rental and for-sale housing, coordinating access to support services and asset-building activities, and shaping community and economic initiatives.

Eugene A. Ludwig - Mr. Ludwig is the founder and CEO of Promontory Group, a suite of companies offering products and services to assist banks and other financial businesses. Prior to founding Promontory, he was Vice Chairman and Senior Control Officer of Bankers Trust / Deutsche Bank.

Jeff Madrick - Mr. Madrick is the editor of Challenge Magazine, visiting professor of humanities at The Cooper Union, and director of policy research at the SchwartzCenter for Economic Policy Analysis, The New School.

Edward Montgomery - Mr. Montgomery is dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland. He is also a professor of economics and former senior associate dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Ellen Seidman - Ms. Seidman is Director of the Financial Services and Education Project in the Asset Building Program of the New America Foundation. In addition to her work at New America, Ms. Seidman serves as Executive Vice President, National Policy and Partnership Development at ShoreBank Corporation, as Chair of the Center for Financial Services Innovation, a ShoreBank nonprofit affiliate.

Allen Sinai - Mr. Sinai is Chief Global Economist and President of Decision Economics, Inc. (PDE), a global economic and financial advisory firm.

Laura Tyson - Ms. Tyson is a Professor in the Haas Business and Public Policy Group, at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and Senior Fellow with the Center for American Progress.

David W. Wilcox - Mr. Wilcox is the Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Statistics at the Federal Reserve Board, and will be attending to provide technical assistance.

Mark Zandi - Mr. Zandi is Chief Economist and co-founder of Moody's Economy.com, where he directs the company's research and consulting activities.