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Sept. 30, 2004

Senate Forum Canceled

The Senate Forum scheduled tonight, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. in Biedenharn Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe with candidates David Vitter, Chris John, John Kennedy and Arthur Morrell is canceled.

Half the panel was not able to attend the forum due to three major pieces of federal legislation coming before congress.

Dr. Pearson Cross, ULM History and Government Professor and forum organizer, says he hopes to reschedule the event within the next three weeks.

ULM will be flexible in working with the candidates. Officials with the campaign offices are making it a top priority to get all four candidates here before the election.

ULM President, James Cofer said, "We made the decision to cancel the forum because the candidates could not all be present. Hopefully Pearson and the Student Government Association will be able to reschedule the event in the near future."

In a letter sent today to ULM and the Northeast Louisiana Community, Congressmen Chris John and David Vitter had this to say:

"We would like to express our sincere regrets that we are unable to participate in the scheduled debate tonight at ULM. Unfortunately, the congressional voting schedule in Washington will not enable us to arrive in time for this live candidate forum. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and hope that an alternate date can be agreed upon so that we can participate in an informative discussion of the issues that are facing Louisiana and the nation."

Officials from the offices of candidates Arthur Morrell and John Kennedy said while they are disappointed with the cancellation, they are both happy to work with ULM in rescheduling the forum.

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