Presidential Candidate Senator John McCain Talks Policy at the 2008 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show

CHICAGO, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican Party nominee for president, today addressed a packed ballroom of restaurant and foodservice professionals attending the 89th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show at McCormick Place inChicago. The Show is the largest gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals in the Western Hemisphere.

After his remarks, McCain met with a group of restaurant and hospitality industry CEOs and mayors, including National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney and Michael S. Kaufman, newly elected chairman of the Board of Directors for the Association.

"We couldn't be more pleased to welcome Senator McCain to the Show," said Kaufman. "It is a testament to the vital importance of our industry, to our communities, and the nation's economy that the senator made the time to be with us here today, and a credit to him as well."

Kaufman highlighted the senator as an ally of the restaurant industry on immigration and the need for comprehensive reform.

"I appreciate the hospitality of the National Restaurant Association and of the city ofChicago," said McCain. "Considering that both of my prospective opponents call this city their home town, I've received a very warm welcome here."

"You in the restaurant and hospitality industry know a thing or two about competition and job creation," said McCain. "You and entrepreneurs like you have created 13 million of them, and in a strong economy your industry would likely create another two million jobs over the next decade. But many of those new plans and new jobs will depend on the choices we make inWashington. The American people want to see Republicans and Democrats working together for the good of this nation."

In addition to Sen. McCain, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also were invited to address the Show, but the continuing presidential primary contest precluded their attendance.

The National Restaurant Association, founded in 1919, is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 13.1 million employees - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career and employment opportunities and community involvement. Along with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing industry. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.restaurant.org.

Now in its 89th year, the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals in the Western Hemisphere. The 2008 Show will be held May 17-20, at McCormick Place inChicago, Ill. The Show attracts 2,000+ exhibiting companies and 70,000 attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 115 countries. More information can be found on the Show Web site at http://www.restaurant.org/show. For more information on the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event, visit http://www.winespiritsbeer.org.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association

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Tags: Restaurants, Food and Beverages, National, Politics, Republicans and Democrats, illinois

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