Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, January 25, senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and representatives Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) will hold a news conference on their effort to end the practice of sitting divided by party during the President’s State of the Union address.

The four, who co-led a letter to the House and Senate leadership, are very encouraged by the enthusiastic response from their colleagues. The letter was signed by 59 members of Congress from both parties and both houses, and many others have already committed to sitting together, even if they haven’t signed the letter. Udall, Murkowski, Shuler and Gosar will discuss how the effort on Tuesday – while symbolic – can help shape the tone in our broader political debate.

A final copy of the letter signed by 59 lawmakers is attached.

WHAT: Press conference with Sens. Udall and Murkowski, Reps. Shuler and Gosar

WHEN: Tuesday, January 25, 2011
11 a.m.

WHERE: Senate Radio & TV Gallery
U.S. Capitol, S-325
Washington, D.C.

Congressmen Cummings, Gosar Agree To A Bipartisan State Of The Union

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, confirmed yesterday with Congressman Dr. Paul Gosar (AZ-01), Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives, that the two would sit together Tuesday evening during the State of the Union address.

Dr. Gosar and Congressman Cummings’ discussion arose because of their mutual interest in the cause of improving pediatric dentistry. Dr. Gosar is a dentist in Arizona and served as an officer on the American Dental Association’s Council on Governmental Affairs before being elected to Congress.

Congressman Cummings was the champion in the House for several important additions to the Affordable Care Act that called for increased funding for pediatric dentistry, particularly in underserved communities. Congressman Cummings’ attention to pediatric dentistry was heightened after a 12-year-old Maryland boy, Deamonte Driver, died of an infected abscess when his mother was unable to afford eighty dollars of dental care.

“I am pleased to have a chance to discuss this critical cause with Dr. Gosar,” said Cummings. “The death of Deamonte Driver was a seminal moment in my life, and in the lives of so many in the dental community who have fought to see dental and oral health education and treatment, particularly for children, reach an equal footing with other types of healthcare. Dr. Gosar has dedicated his life to this crucial service and I salute him for that. As well, he is a member of the Arizona delegation in which my good friend Gabrielle Giffords serves. It will be my pride to share stories with him about this beautiful public servant who we both pray will rejoin our body as soon as possible.”

“I am looking forward to sitting with Rep. Cummings and learning more about his passion for children’s healthcare,” said Gosar. “I admire the Congressman's dedication to this important issue. We share the values of ensuring good health care for children and all Americans. I am encouraged by the response of all our colleagues thus far- it is time we put our country first and move past the partisan rhetoric and focus on solutions that will make our country a better, stronger place.”

The State of the Union address will take place Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m.