Bowling Industry Offers to Strike Change at the White House Lane

Major Bowling Industry Organizations Applaud President-Elect for Embracing Bowling and Unveil Plan to Modernize 40-Year-Old White House Lane

ARLINGTON TX. - December 12 2008 - As the soon-to-be 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama has promised to bring change to Capitol Hill and the nation - from taxation and healthcare reform to the potential replacement of the White House bowling lane with a basketball court!  Fortunately, to the delight of the bowling industry and the more than 67.2 million bowlers throughout the nation, the President-Elect flexed his diplomatic skills by deciding to add basketball hoops while still keeping the White House Lane.  In fact, during his recent interview on 20/20 with Barbara Walters, the President-Elect indicated that he may spend some time practicing his bowling game.  Applauding the President-Elect for embracing the great sport of bowling, the leading organizations in the bowling industry are teaming together to help usher in a different kind of change on Capitol Hill - proposing a much-needed "makeover" of the White House Lane that would bring it to the modern 21st century bowling experience.

"Forty years ago, President Nixon made national headlines when he revamped the White House Lane that had first been introduced by Harry Truman.  After four decades, it's fair to say that the lane at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is long overdue for a facelift," said Jeff Boje, president of the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).  "The bowling industry applauds President-Elect Obama for keeping the White House Lane.  As a gesture of support and appreciation, we are offering to give the lane a much-needed enhancement and add in all the great amenities that have helped to fuel the continued popularity of bowling and maintain its status as the nation's number one participatory sport and a great American family activity."

In an incredible display of non-partisan collaboration that would make any politician blush, the leading organizations within the bowling industry are joining forces to offer to bring the White House Lane to the digital era.  The enhanced ultra-modern lane would include a completely new technology  surface, cutting-edge bowling balls, a top-of-the-line high definition scoring system and light display, a digital stereo sound system, club seating, Bowlopolis kids digital graphics, and modern electronic bumpers (perfect to help both the President-Elect and his children adopt proper bowling technique).

"Our goal is to provide the President-Elect and his family with the modern day bowling experience.  We're focused on completely refurbishing the White House Lane - no pin will be left behind," said Jim Sturm, president of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA).  "In a sign of solidarity that should give inspiration to politicians on both sides of the aisle, the leading organizations within our industry have formed a 'coalition task force' to help enact a different kind of positive change on Capitol Hill."

The bowling organizations that have teamed together to offer to revamp the White House Lane include the USBC, BPAA, PBA (Professional Bowlers' Association), TNBA (The National Bowling Association) and the IBPSIA (International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association).

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