DR. ROBERT D. BALLARD, President of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Aquarium, will address The Economic Club of Chicago at their December 13th Dinner Meeting.

The Economic Club of Chicago:

WHO:   Best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic, Dr. Ballard
       has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant
       shipwrecks, including the German battleship Bismarck, the lost
       fleet of Guadalcanal, the America aircraft carrier Yorktown,
       sunk in World War II's Battle of Midway in 1942, President John
       F. Kennedy's PT-109, and has explored the Lusitania, Britannic,
       and Andrea Doria. Dr. Ballard has participated in more than 110
       deep-sea explorations, including the first manned expedition
       into the Mid-Ocean Ridge. Dr. Ballard also founded the JASON
       Foundation for Education, which has helped hundreds of
       thousands of children see his deep-sea explorations as if they
       were there with him. He is an Explorer-in-Residence at National
       Geographic, and a best-selling author of more than 20 books. He
       has received 20 honorary degrees; won an Emmy; and been
       nominated for an Oscar. He has led or participated in 120
       deep-sea expeditions, and logged more hours in the deep than
       any other marine scientist. In 2003, the President of the
       United States awarded Dr. Ballard the National Humanities
       Medal. Recently, he has also been honored with the Livingstone
       Medal and the Naval Order of the U.S. George Dewey Award.

WHEN:  Tuesday, December 13, 2005
       5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Camera Crew set-up - Grand/State Ballroom
       6:45 p.m.          Dinner - Grand/State Ballroom
       7:40 p.m.          Program begins - Grand/State Ballroom

WHERE: The Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe Street,
       Grand/State Ballroom

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL NEWS MEDIA: All members of the media MUST PRE-REGISTER for this event and confirm attendance no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, December 12th. Please contact Katie Kaage at [phone] or [e-mail]. Photo identification/press credentials will be required to gain entrance.

The Economic Club of Chicago (ECC) is an independent, non-profit organization that fosters development of civic-minded executives who understand their broader role in building a better society. Founded in 1927, the ECC is one of the nation's most influential forums for the dissemination of economic, business, political and social views, through its regular membership meetings. Meetings include black-tie dinner meetings, panel discussions and young leadership roundtables. Invited speakers include industry leaders, heads of state and policy makers.