Arizona Republican to Speak at Library

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is scheduled to speak at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Friday at 6 p.m. as part of the ongoing Reagan Forum lecture series.

McCain served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years before retiring in 1981 to pursue a career in politics. He was a naval aviator during the Vietnam War and spent five years as a prisoner of war in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison.

McCain was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1981 and served two terms before his election to the Senate in 1986.

He is chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Most recently, McCain sponsored tough tobacco legislation and campaign finance reform legislation.

He is also considered a possible contender in the 2000 presidential race.

McCain’s speech is being organized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, a nonprofit group that operates the library’s Center for Public Affairs and provides funding to the library and museum.

Past speakers in the series include former U.N. Ambassador Jean Kirkpatrick and television journalist Diane Sawyer.

Seats are still available at a cost of $75 a person, which includes a catered reception after the lecture.

Ticket discounts for groups of more than 10 people are available.

For information or tickets, call the foundation at 522-2977.