U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
August 9, 2007
Media Note
2007/680 

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will announce Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. as a Special Sports Envoy to the Department of State on Monday, August 13, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in the Dean Acheson Auditorium of the U.S. Department of State. In this capacity Mr. Ripkin will join Karen P. Hughes, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in efforts promoting cross-cultural dialogue with international youth to increase understanding of America by sharing his impressive personal story and life experiences. He will reach out to a worldwide audience of young people while visiting their schools and clubs, hosting baseball skills clinics, and sharing the keys to his success: character, hard work and perseverance.

This event is open for press coverage.
Pre-set time for Cameras: 8:45 a.m. via 23rd Street Entrance
Final Access for Writers and Still Photographers: 9:45 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance

Media representations may attend this event upon presentation of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver?s license or passport).

Press Contacts:
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Darlene Kirk, (202) 203-7616
Office of Press Relations, U.S. Department of State, (202) 647-2492