Georgia Prepares for G-8 Summit

Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed 16 state officials and legislators to help ensure Georgia is ready for this years international G-8 summit. The Governor appointed his chief of staff, Eric Tanenblatt, to chair the planning group, which will also address security, environmental impact, educational opportunities and international relations.

Appointed were: Bill Hitchens, director of Homeland Security; Jim Lientz, chief operating officer; Tommy Hills, chief financial officer; Glenn Cornell, Industry, Trade & Tourism commissioner; Mike Beatty, Community Affairs commissioner; Lonice Barrett, Natural Resources commissioner; Bill Donohue, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority; Doug Marchand, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority; Tim Connell, director of the Office of Planning and Budget; Heidi Green, director of Intergovernmental Affairs; Morgan Perry, director of Legislative Affairs; Dan McLagan, director of Communications; Col. George Ellis, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety; state Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), chairman of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee; and state Rep. Butch Parrish (D-Swainsboro), chairman of the House economic development committee.

President Bush will host the 30th G8 Summit at Sea Island, Georgia on June 8-10, 2004, after the United States assumes the Presidency of the G8 from France at the beginning of 2004. President Bush, Chairman of the 2004 G8 Summit, is looking forward to the opportunity to meet with the G8 Leaders in the informal and relaxed setting of Sea Island, Georgia.

The G8 Summit brings together the Leaders of the world's major industrial democracies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdomand the United States. The European Union also attend the G8 Summit, represented by the President of the European Commission and the Leader of the country holding the Presidency of the European Council. At previous Summits, Leaders have discussed a wide range of international economic, political, and security issues.

The Presidency of the G8, and responsibility of hosting the G8 Summit, rotates each year. Italy hosted the G8 Summit in Genoa in 2001, Canadahosted in Kananaskis in 2002, and France hosted in Evian in 2003. The United Kingdom will host the G8 Summit in 2005 and Russia will host in 2006.

Sea Island is located on the southern portion of the Georgia coastline, 80 miles from Savannah, Georgia. Previously, the United States hosted G8 Summits in DoradoBeach, Puerto Rico (1976), Williamsburg, Virginia (1983), Houston, Texas (1990) and Denver, Colorado (1997).