LOCAL SUPPORTERS TO KICK OFF DEAN FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN MONDAY

"TAKE BACK AMERICA" THEME UNITES CIVIC LEADERS, WORKERS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS

(Rochester, NY)--Local supporters of Dr. Howard Dean's bid for the presidency plan to kick off their campaign at a press conference to be held Monday, November 24. The event will formally launch Dean for President in Rochester, and will bring together the increasing number of diverse groups supporting Dean in the area.

Democratic Party activists will be joined by Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson, Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel, Monroe County Legislator Stephanie Aldersley, Rochester City School Board member Bolgen Vargas, Rochester City Councilmember Tim Mains and by members of 1199 SEIU, the Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME, the New York Public Employees, and the Painters and Allied Trades Union.

"Rochester's response to Dr. Dean's candidacy has been spectacular." said Michelle Giannavola, Rochester For Dean's local Coordinator. "We had our first Meet-Up for Dean back in March with twelve people. Now, over one hundred people have volunteered for Dean. It's grown exponentially. The grass roots support is phenomenal."

Certified Nursing Assistant Maria Lopez, a local nursing home worker with 33 years of experience, met Dr. Dean at a health care conference in Baltimore last month. "Dean is the right candidate," she said. "He understands the health care needs of working families. He knows what we need to take care of our patients. He improved health care while Governor of Vermont. Why not all over the U.S.?"

Monday's event will mark the formal launch of the Dean campaign in the Rochester region. Supporters will begin the process of putting Dr. Dean on the ballot in New York's presidential primary on March 2, 2004. They are also expected to name slates of Dean supporters who will run as delegates to the Democratic National Convention from each of the Rochester area's congressional districts.

"I'm really excited," said former Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Ted O'Brien, now with the Dean campaign. "There is tremendous energy in Dean's campaign here. We think as soon as the voters know what we know about Governor Dean, there will be even more momentum leading into the primary. We know Dean is our best choice to 'Take Back America' and get this country back on the right course."

PRESS EVENT AND PHOTO OP.

WHO: Rochester Area Dean for President Supporters

WHAT: Campaign Kick-off Press Conference

WHEN: Monday November 24, 2003 -- 12:00 pm EST

WHERE: 1199 SEIU New York's Health Care and Human Service Union
225 West Broad Street--Rear entrance in back of Advantage Credit Union
Rochester, New York 14608

Members of the media cordially invited.

To learn more about the Rochester For Dean committee, visit:
www.RochesterForDean.us.