REDLANDS, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, who ran for president of the United States in 1992 and served as Nebraska's governor, will speak at 5:00 p.m. on October 30 at ESRI, 350 New York Street, in Redlands.

Kerrey's talk, which will be free and open to the public, will inaugurate an ongoing educational and cultural series of speeches, performances, and programs that ESRI and the University of Redlands Town & Gown organization will cosponsor. The events will be held in ESRI's new state-of-the-art auditorium.

Kerrey, 66, was Nebraska's governor from 1983 to 1987 and later served as the state's U.S. senator from 1989 to 2001. He left the Senate to become president of the New School, a university in New York City that was founded on strong democratic ideals and daring educational practices. Throughout his career in public service, Kerrey has strongly advocated for increased education spending. He continues to do so today, recognizing that democratic life flourishes when all citizens are properly educated and given every chance to participate in the political process.

Kerrey's talk will be followed by a short reception, allowing people the opportunity to talk with him in person.

Upcoming speakers will include Earl E. Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board; Willie Smits, biologist and founder of Borneo Orangutan Survival; and Larry Burgess, local historian and director of the A.K. Smiley Library in Redlands. Future programs will include films; musical and theatrical performances; and talks by business leaders, government officials, and environmentalists.

ESRI president Jack Dangermond said the diverse slate of speakers and programs will pique the interests of people of all ages. "We look forward to bringing the community the caliber of events that will start a dialog on important topics of interest in the Inland Empire, as well as nationally and internationally."

Stuart Dorsey, president of the University of Redlands, said the university is proud to cosponsor a series of programs he describes as an "ongoing education." "It's a way that the university and ESRI can give back to the community that so strongly supports us."

Advance reservations are required. Visit www.esri.com/culturalseries and click the Reservations link or call the University of Redlands at 909-748-8011.

Series Schedule for 2009:

October 30, 5:00 p.m.: Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey

November TBA, 5:00 p.m.: Willie Smits, biologist and founder of Borneo Orangutan Survival, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting orangutans and their habitats

December 9, 5:00 p.m.: Earl E. Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which oversees spending of the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the stimulus package passed by Congress

December 13, 3:00 p.m.: Larry Burgess, local historian and director of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, in a talk about early Christmases, California style

About University of Redlands Town & Gown

The Town & Gown organization strives to promote a positive relationship between the university ("gown") and the Inland Empire area ("town"), provides scholarships to qualified area students, and showcases the cultural and entertainment activities on campus. Town & Gown membership, which costs $30 annually per household, provides access to specific events as well as a variety of other arts and cultural events on campus. To join, contact the university's Alumni Relations office at 909-748-8011.

About ESRI

Since 1969, ESRI has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in GIS, ESRI software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. ESRI applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of Web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world's mapping and spatial analysis. ESRI is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at www.esri.com.

ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, GIS by ESRI, www.esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

    Press Information
    Contact: Carla Wheeler, ESRI
    Tel.: 909-793-2853, extension 1-2448
    E-mail: press@esri.com

SOURCE ESRI

Web site: http://www.esri.com/