News release, Feb. 29, 2008B

February 29, 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Actor Chris Tucker to be featured at Georgia Department of Labor's student conference in Athens
ATLANTA Actor-comedian Chris Tucker, hailed as one of the funniest comics in show business, will be the featured speaker at the 21st annual Jobs for Georgia Graduates (JGG) conference next Tuesday in Athens. JGG is a nationally acclaimed school-to-work transition program operated by the Georgia Department of Labor. The conference will begin at 12 noon on Tuesday, March 4, at the Classic Center, 300 North Thomas St. in Athens.
In addition to his entertainment career, Tucker is also known for his humanitarian work on the world scene. He has worked to combat AIDS, unsanitary living conditions, and hunger in Africa. Because of this work, he was recently made a Young Global Leader by the Forum of Young Global Leaders.
The theme of this year's conference is "Expanding the Reach: Creating Positive Opportunities." As many as 900 are expected to attend the conference, including students, parents, public school officials, and labor department personnel from across the state.
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said: "Jobs for Georgia Graduates is considered to be one of the nation's premiere initiatives for encouraging high school students to graduate and pursue higher education, skills training, or a military career. Students participating in Jobs for Georgia Graduates have consistently attained higher graduation rates than the state as a whole."
In 2005-2006, participants in the JGG program had a high school graduation rate 20 percent higher than the state-wide average of 71 percent for Georgia's public schools. According to JGG statistics, 816 or 91.6 percent of the seniors participating in the program successfully completed graduation requirements. In fact, throughout the program's 21-year history, participating JGG students have experienced graduation rates of 87 to 91 percent, much higher than the statewide average. The program helps students overcome barriers to graduation, including low grade point average (GPA) and high absenteeism.
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JGG utilizes school-based specialists who assist students with career guidance, work skills, motivational activities and job development. Graduating seniors receive follow-up services to encourage successful transition from high school to post-secondary education, training and work opportunities.
Chris Tucker has come a long way since his stand-up comedy days on Def Comedy Jam. Starring in box-office smashes that include one of the top grossing comedies of all time, Rush Hour 3, Rush Hour 2, as well as Friday, Dead Presidents and Money Talks and the original Rush Hour (which has grossed $250 million worldwide), Tucker has clearly proved himself to be one of Hollywood's hottest talents. With his unique voice, fast-paced humor, and animated facial expressions, Tucker entertains all audiences and has left a lasting impression on the American psyche. In honor of his proven track record of power as a box-office funnyman, the world's theatre owners named Tucker, Comedy Star of the Year, at 2001 ShoWest.
In 2002, Tucker joined U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neil and singer Bono on a fact-finding trip to Africa, help determine how the U.S. could help the combat AIDS, unsanitary living conditions and hunger. Deeply affected by what he saw, Tucker has since been a diplomat of sorts, committed to raising awareness and money to combat the AIDS crisis in Africa. Because of this work, he was recently made a Young Global Leader by the Forum of Young Global Leaders.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685.
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