New York's Governor Pataki Invites Delilah to Breakfast

STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR

Press Office
212-681-4640
518-474-8418
http://www.state.ny.us

GOVERNOR AND MRS. PATAKI TO ATTEND 12TH ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST Delilah -- International Radio Personality, Peasall Sisters, Grammy-Winning Musicians, To be Special Guests

New York, April 10, 2006 - Governor George E. Pataki and First Lady Libby Pataki will take part in New York's 12th Annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany on May 3rd.

"Eleven years ago, New York was one of a just a handful of states in America that did not host a prayer breakfast or recognize the National Day of Prayer," Governor Pataki said. "We are proud that we began this inspirational tradition that brings together New Yorkers of different backgrounds and faiths to take part in spiritual reflection. We are delighted to have Delilah and the Peasall Sisters as our Special Guests at this, New York’s 12th Annual Prayer Breakfast."

Mrs. Pataki said, "Each year our Prayer Breakfast provides an opportunity for each of us to take a moment to think about what it is that inspires each of us, and to thank God for his infinite blessings. For this, George's and my final Prayer Breakfast as Governor and First Lady, I look forward to the inspirational words and song of Delilah and the Peasall Sisters."

New York's Prayer Breakfast is held in association with the National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill that provided for the permanent designation of the first Thursday of each May as the National Day of Prayer. This day set aside for prayer is a tradition first proclaimed by the Constitutional Congress in 1775.

Delilah, the Premiere Radio Networks' syndicated host who dominates the evening hours on the airwaves, is heard from 7 p.m. to midnight on more than 200 radio stations. Her soothing voice, open heart and love of music have expanded her audience from the folks in Reedsport, Ore. to more than seven million people. Her distinctive blend of story-telling, sympathetic listening and encouragement - all scored with adult contemporary soft rock - makes her number one among women 25-54 in several markets.

"Although it might not be politically correct to publicly admit this, I believe prayer changes things, and that is why I'm honored to have been invited by the Governor and First Lady of New York to speak at New York's Prayer Breakfast," Delilah said. "Regardless of your faith or place of worship, it makes great sense to recognize that God can give us wisdom and direction."

Over the past five years, the Peasall Sisters -- Sarah, 18; Hannah, 14; and Leah, 12 -- have earned Grammy and Country Music Awards for their part in the blockbuster O Brother, Where Art Thou? movie and soundtrack, and performed at such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall with the acclaimed Down From the Mountain tour, in addition to the Grand Ole Opry. But even after all that time spent in the spotlight, the Peasalls are still all about family. They remain down-to-earth teenagers who live with their tight-knit family, including parents Michael and Sally, and three younger siblings in White House, Tennessee.

The annual Prayer Breakfast began in 1995, shortly after Governor Pataki was elected. At that time, New York was just one of a handful of states that did not hold a prayer breakfast or recognize the importance of prayer to our State and Nation.

Past keynote speakers at New York's Prayer Breakfast have included such notable guests as First Lady Laura Bush (2004); United States Attorney General John Ashcroft (1996); Colonel Eileen Collins, United States Air Force, NASA Space Shuttle Commander (2000); Kathi Lee Gifford (2002); and world-renowned Irish Tenor, Dr. Ronan Tynan (2003).

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