Gary Johnson, Honorary Chairman of OUR America Initiative, to Speak at Several High-Profile Events Around the Country

Former Governor of New Mexico to Speak at FreedomWorks Rally, the Heartland Institute, NORML, Hempstalk and the State Policy Network. Remarks Will Focus on Cutting Deficits, Lowering Taxes, Immigration Reform, Legalizing Marijuana and Ending the War in Afghanistan

SANTA FE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Honorary Chairman of the OUR America Initiative, today announced that he will travel to and speak at numerous key events in Washington, D.C., Portland, Cleveland, Chicago and Virginia over the next two weeks.

Governor Johnson will begin the speaking tour in Portland this weekend to advocate for the legalization of marijuana at the 39^th Annual National NORML Conference, followed by a special appearance and speech at Hempstalk. Johnson will then travel to Washington, D.C., as a featured speaker at FreedomWorks, an all-day event at the United States Capitol, calling for Americans to march in protest of big government and support lower taxes. After his visit to Washington, D.C., Johnson will travel to Cleveland to speak at the State Policy Network Education Reform Summit before being the featured speaker at the Heartland Institute’s President’s Council Retreat in Chicago. Additionally, Johnson will travel to Virginia later next week to speak with the University of Virginia’s Jefferson Society.

Johnson’s comments will focus on key issues such as: lowering taxes, cutting deficits, his opposition to continued nation-building in Afghanistan, the failure of the war on drugs and a return to common-sense governing. Since the launch of OUR America last year, Governor Johnson has traveled to 28 states, where he has met with various student and political groups that are concerned with the increase in government spending and the future of the American economy.

As Governor of New Mexico, from 1994 to 2002, Johnson was known for his common-sense business approach to governing. He eliminated New Mexico’s budget deficit, cut the rate of growth in state government in half and privatized half of the state prisons. During his term, New Mexico experienced the longest period without a tax increase in the State’s history. Additionally, Governor Johnson vetoed 750 bills and thousands of line item vetoed bills.

Since the launch of OUR America in December of 2009, Governor Johnson has garnered significant media coverage, recently appearing on several prominent national news programs, including the Hannity Show, FOX News, FOX Business Network, CNBC, MSNBC, The Colbert Report, and Real Time with Bill Maher, as well as on hundreds of radio programs around the country.

Governor Johnson will be in Portland September 10^th and 11^th, Washington, D.C., September 12^th and 13^th, Cleveland on September 14^th, Chicago on September 15^th and 16^th and Virginia September 17^th speaking at the events listed below. He is also available for additional press and media interviews. To schedule, please contact Sue Winchester at [e-mail] or 801.303.7924.

Friday, September 10^th, 1:00pm-2:30pm
39^th Annual National NORML Conference
The Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR

Saturday, September 11^th, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Hempstalk
Kelly Point Park, Portland, OR

Sunday, September 12^th, 2:00pm-5:00pm
FreedomWorks - Tax Payers March on Washington
Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. (march)
U.S. Capitol Building (rally)

Tuesday, September 14^th, 5:00pm-6:00pm
State Policy Network and Campaign for Liberty Event
Intercontinental Hotels, 9801 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Wednesday, September 15^th, 12:00pm-1:30pm
Heartland Institute ~ President’s Council Retreat
University Club 76 E. Monroe, Chicago, IL

Friday, September 17^th, 7:30pm-9:00pm
Jefferson Society
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

The OUR America Initiative is a national issue based advocacy committee. Key issues include: Solving the Economic Crisis and Creating Jobs; Lowering the Federal Deficit; Civil Liberties; Fighting the War on Drugs; Immigration Policy; and Taxes. Additional information can be found at www.ouramericainitiative.com. Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovGaryJohnson. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-Johnson-Our-America/165297924363?ref=ts

About Honorary Chairman Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, a Republican and two-term Governor of New Mexico from 1994-2002, has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for efficient government and lowering taxes.