ADVISORY/Discoverer of the Titanic and JFK's PT-109 to Keynote GTC 2003.

News Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (May 14)

GTC West 2003

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

GTC 2003

    WHAT:   He is the famed explorer of the underwater world - his
            discoveries are spectacular. He is Dr. Robert Ballard best
            known for his discovery of the RMS Titanic -- the luxury
            liner thought to be unsinkable. Most recently he
            discovered the wreck of John F. Kennedy's PT-109 which
            sank in World War II and made Kennedy a war hero.

            Dr. Ballard also founded the JASON Project after receiving
            thousands of letters from school children wanting to know
            how he discovered the Titanic. The JASON Project is a
            non-profit educational organization working in partnership
            with teachers, students, corporations, educational
            institutions and government to inspire in students a
            lifelong passion to pursue learning in science, math and
            technology through exploration and discovery.

            Dr. Ballard's keynote will be a true lesson in
            perseverance, innovation and vision. He will share how his
            sense of adventure and vision led him to innovative
            techniques for ocean exploration. Anyone aspiring to
            innovate will want to hear this keynote. Dr. Ballard's
            keynote is free of charge.

    WHEN:   Wednesday, May 14, 8:30 a.m.

    WHERE:  Memorial Auditorium, 15th & J Streets, Sacramento, Calif.

    WHO:    Dr. Ballard is the opening keynote of the Government
            Technology Conference (GTC), the largest and most
            respected technology conference for state and local
            government. GTC is being held May 12-16 at the Sacramento
            Convention Center and features training and 300 high-tech
            exhibits.