| For Immediate Release November 3, 2009 |
|
Contact: |
BARRY LYNN AND CRAIG PARSHALL TO SPAR AT
NRB 2010 PUBLIC POLICY SESSION
 |
| Download hi-resolution photo of Barry Lynn |
Manassas, VA – The NRB Convention’s Public Policy Debate on March 2, 2010, promises to be an electrifying, no-holds barred “clash of the titans” pitting Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State against Craig Parshall, NRB’s Senior Vice-President and General Counsel. These two outspoken legal pundits will spar over the most controversial church/state and public policy issues of the day – issues that will impact Christian broadcasters and communicators, churches and Gospel-preaching ministries everywhere. The debate will be moderated by Janet Parshall, host of two nationally syndicated radio programs – Janet Parshall’s America (Salem Radio Network) originating from Washington, D.C. and also Moody Radio's Saturday feature, Talking it Over with Janet Parshall. Janet is a past winner of NRB's On-Air Personality of the Year award.
Dr. Frank Wright, NRB President & CEO said, "We look forward to hearing these constitutional scholars in a lively discussion of the current political environment facing Christian communicators."
 |
| Download hi-resolution photo of Janet Parshall |
Since 1992, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn has served as executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to the preservation of the Constitution’s religious liberty provisions. Lynn received his theology degree from Boston University in 1973 and graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1978. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. This background offers him a unique perspective on church-state issues. Lynn began his professional career working as an advocate and attorney for the Washington office of the United Church of Christ, then from 1984 to 1991 he was legislative counsel for the national legislative office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Lynn appears frequently in the media to offer analysis of First Amendment issues including PBS's News Hour, the Today Show, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live.
Lynn’s most recent book is Piety & Politics: The Right Wing Assault on Religious Freedom (Random House, 2007), and he is the co-author of First Freedom First: A Citizen’s Guide to Protecting Religious Liberty and the Separation of Church and State (Beacon Press, 2008). He has authored several law review and professional articles on free speech, school vouchers, and President Bush’s “faith based initiative.” On radio, Lynn was co-host of Pat Buchanan and Company and later did a weekly program with Col. Oliver North. His daily talk show, Culture Shocks, is heard throughout the United States.
 |
| Download hi-resolution photo of Craig Parshall |
Craig Parshall is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). As Senior Vice President, Craig oversees the communications and media efforts of NRB. As General Counsel, Craig heads the Office of General Counsel, and handles both the internal legal issues for NRB, as well as external legal and constitutional issues that implicate NRB’s mission to maximize freedoms for Christian broadcasters. Prior to coming to NRB, Mr. Parshall’s law practice emphasized on constitutional rights and civil liberties. He has been licensed to practice law in, and has represented clients before the U.S. Supreme Court, and the federal District Courts and federal Courts of Appeal in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Denver, Dallas, New Orleans and Richmond, and he has argued cases before the state supreme courts of Wisconsin and North Carolina, and before the highest court in Maryland, the Court of Appeals.
Mr. Parshall has assisted leaders on Capitol Hill in drafting legislative language protecting religious liberties, and he has testified before Congress on constitutional issues. He has appeared on numerous national media outlets, including NBC’s Today Show, CNN, CBS radio, C-Span, PBS, NPR and Court TV. Mr. Parshall's cases have been profiled in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Washington Times, the Boston Globe, the National Law Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the Milwaukee Journal, the L.A. Times, and the Des Moines Register, among others. As a writer, he has authored seven legal suspense novels. Recently Mr. Parshall's legal thrillers have been translated into Dutch.
About The NRB Convention
The annual Convention & Exposition is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assist those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic Exposition consists of nearly 300 companies and is an active marketplace for those seeking tools and services to expand their organizations. NRB 2010 is being held at the Gaylord Opryland and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, February 27 – March 2, 2010. For registration and other Convention information go to: www.nrbconvention.org
About NRB
The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is a non-partisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. Our mission is to keep the doors of electronic media open for the spread of the Gospel. In addition to promoting standards of excellence, integrity, and accountability, NRB provides networking, educational, ministry, and fellowship opportunities for its members. Learn more at www.nrb.org.
###
National Religious Broadcasters
9510 Technology Drive
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-7000
