“SLICE OF AMERICANA” – SARAH PALIN HAILS GROWTH AND RESURGENCE OF BOWLING INDUSTRY AT 2010 INTERNATIONAL BOWL EXPO

Serves as Keynote Speaker at Premier Bowling Industry Event, Calls Attention to Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovation that Has Enabled Bowling to Flourish

LAS VEGAS – June 30, 2010 – Standing before a crowd of several thousand bowling industry leaders from across the world, former Governor and Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin gave a rousing keynote address at the 2010 International Bowl Expo.  Highlighting the impact of bowling as the nation’s number one participatory sport and a thriving industry, Palin brought the crowd to its feet during her 45 minute speech.  Additionally, Palin spoke to the important role played by bowling proprietors as business owners and community leaders, as well as the vital presence of bowling centers as social hubs in communities across the nation.

“Bowling has an honored place in our culture and is interwoven with our sense of community in our country.  Go to any town or city and you will find bowling – it is truly a slice of Americana,” said Palin.  “Bowling has been able to evolve, innovate and capitalize on changes in culture to keep alive and flourish. Through the entrepreneurial spirit of its proprietors, bowling has seen a new resurgence and has never been more popular.” 

During her keynote speech, Palin spoke of the societal influence of bowling that spans generations of American life.  Professing a personal appreciation for the bowling industry, Palin also noted that, during his high school years, her father Chuck Heath Sr. worked as a pin boy and that she herself has fond childhood memories of watching him play in this Thursday night bowling league.

Additionally, as a mother and aunt to children born with disabilities, Palin took special note of the bowling industry’s support of the Special Olympics and thanked the proprietors in attendance for providing a healthy, positive environment to children with special needs.

Following her speech, Palin joined Steve Johnson, executive director of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), and a number of pioneering female bowling executives and athletes in delivering a historic announcement of a new, revitalized Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open in 2011.

“Sarah Palin’s comments about the impact of bowling ring true, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum.  Bowling is a sport that knows no political or social boundaries – it is the embodiment of the American spirit and a healthy, fun and inclusive activity that brings together people from all walks of life,” said Johnson.  “Today Sarah Palin said that bowling helps make our country a better place and we couldn’t agree with her more.”

The International Bowl Expo 2010 was held from June 27 to July 1 at the Las Vegas Hilton and Las Vegas Convention Center.  Ms. Palin's keynote speech took place during the general session on the morning of June 30 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

About Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin first made history on December 4, 2006 when she was sworn in as the first female governor of Alaska. In August 2008, Senator John McCain tapped Palin to serve as his vice-presidential running mate in his presidential campaign, making her the first woman to run on the Republican Party's presidential ticket.

In Alaska, her top priorities included fiscal restraint, limiting the size of government, resource development, education, equitable oil valuation as well as transportation and infrastructure development. Palin fought for ethics reform and transparency in government.

Palin has a long record of achievement and experience in public office. Prior to her election as Governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business-friendly environment, drawing in new industry.

Under her leadership as Governor, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings, overhauled education funding and protected Alaska's natural resources. She created Alaska's Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure and the Climate Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.

During Governor Palin's first year in office, three of her administrations major proposed pieces of legislation passed included an overhaul of the state's ethics laws, a competitive process to construct a natural gas pipeline and a restructuring of Alaska's oil valuation formula.

Palin is past chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multistate government agency that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She also served as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee, which was charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management.

Sarah Heath Palin arrived in Alaska with her family in 1964, when her parents came to teach school in Skagway. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications-Journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987.

She is married to Todd Palin, who is a lifelong Alaskan, worked as a production operator on the North Slope and is a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the world's longest snow machine race. They have five children. She is the author of Going Rogue: An American Life, which was released in November, 2009.

Bowling Writers Association of America

BWAA, founded in 1934, with membership open to top professional and amateur bowling writers and photographers, has a mission to create a new and continuing generation of bowling journalists offering opportunities for achievement, recognition and growth.

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Contact:    Jackie Wyckoff

President, BWAA

Jwyckoff@bowlingwriters.com