OAKLAND, CA - September 16 - Norman Solomon, national co-chair of PDA's Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign, and Michael Lighty, policy director for the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, will delver keynote speeches at PDA's Western regional meeting here on Saturday, Sept. 26.      

The meeting, open to all PDA members and friends, will also feature reports by the organization's national staff and discussions of goals and strategy for this legislative year and the 2010 election cycle.      

Solomon, author of the book "Made Love, Got War," recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan and will share insights gleaned from that experience. Lighty will speak on the joint efforts of PDA and CNA to support and advance HR 676 (Conyers), the Medicare for All bill now in Congress.      

"Our inside/outside strategy continues to show results," said PDA national director Tim Carpenter who will report on PDA organizing activities and lead a strategy discussion at the regional meeting. "Even as we work with members of Congress on important progressive issues, we are working with and organizing the grassroots around those same issues. Our regional meetings are a key component of that strategy."      

The Western regional meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the California Nurses Association headquarters at 1970 Broadway, Suite 260, in Oakland.      

Progressive Democrats of America is one of the nation's fastest-growing grassroots political organizations; it recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and has active chapters in 45 states. PDA is dedicated to reviving the progressive tradition of the Democratic Party through grassroots organizing and working with elected Democrats to advance peace, justice and social, economic and environmental responsibility. More information is available at: http://pdamerica.org.