CUNA Wrangles General Tommy Franks for GAC

WASHINGTON-General Tommy Franks will address CUNA’s 2005 Governmental Affairs Conference, slated for Feb. 27-March 2, as a featured speaker on the second day. In his remarks to the GAC, Franks is expected to provide observations on the global war on terrorism as well as the broader themes of leadership, citizenship, and values. Franks served as commander-in-chief of U.S. Central command from 2000-2003 and faced great challenges, including the attack on the USS Cole and led 250,000 troops into war in Iraq and Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Recently, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civil award given to men and women of exceptional merit, integrity and achievement. Franks retired a four-star general in August 2003 after more than 30 years of service, having been wounded twice in the Vietnam War. In August 2004, he came out with a memoir entitled American Soldier, debuting at number-one on the New York Times best-seller list its first week in publication. CUNA’s GAC will be held at the Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C.