George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton Address CTIA WIRELESS 2007®
March 29, 2007
ORLANDO, FL - Two former US presidents took the keynote stage at CTIA WIRELESS 2007® recognizing the benefits wireless communication is providing consumers in America, the enormous economic gains yielded by the technology, and the vast potential of wireless to affect positive social and political change in underserved areas and developing countries. The remarks for President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton were the highlight of the final day of the trade show, which ran March 27-29 at the Orange County Convention Center.
President George H. W. Bush was the first to speak to the crowd, humorously acknowledging the close, personal relationship he has struck with President Clinton since the two left office, and admitting that he is a “black belt e-mailer”, and that the hour he was spending on stage would be the longest stretch of time he’d be without his personal digital assistant device.
President Bush also spoke about the impact wireless technology can have in countries such as China, by allowing people to better communicate with each other and to provide them universal access to information.
President Clinton echoed the thoughts of the man he succeeded in the Oval Office as they related to their friendship, jokingly lamenting the fact that his “punishment” for defeating Bush in 1992 was having to play “straight man” to the 41st President in their many joint appearances.
President Bill Clinton cited legislation he signed while in office that created a national framework for the wireless industry, and nurtured a uniquely competitive environment from which consumers are greatly benefiting today. He also cited a study conducted by the World Bank in 2006 that revealed a significant link between cell phone penetration and economic gains in developing countries, and urged the crowd of more than 4,000 to consider the positive repercussions their work in the wireless industry can have for generations to come.
President Clinton also commended the industry for developing the Wireless AMBER Alerts initiative. The presidents also participated in a question-and-answer session moderated by Juan Pujadas, managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, during which Clinton responded to the show’s theme, “what is wireless to you”, by saying wireless technology allowed him to reduce by half the time it took him to write his latest book.
About CTIA WIRELESS 2007®
As the premiere global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry and the largest wireless show in the world, CTIA WIRELESS 2007 brings together all industries affected by wireless technology for three days of intense learning and networking. Visit www.ctia.org/ctiawireless.
CTIA-The Wireless Association® is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. Visit www.ctia.org.
PR Contacts:
Cheryl Delgreco
Media Strategies for CTIA WIRELESS®
cdelgreco@msipr.com
617-723-4004
Karen Blondell
Media Strategies for CTIA WIRELESS®
kblondell@msipr.com
310-325-6405
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CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry,
representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.
www.ctia.org