Senator Jackie Speier Plans Anti-'Roids Rally at the Democratic Convention; Legendary Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg & '49ers Quarterback Ken Dorsey Will Help Speier Promote Her Anti-Steroids Resolution.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- State Senator Jackie Speier (and 2006 candidate for Lieutenant Governor) will arrive at the Democratic Convention tomorrow afternoon ready to rally Democrats around an issue that's reached fever pitch nationally -- the illegal use of steroids at every level of sports, from professional teams to high-school athletes.

Speier will be joined at a 5 p.m. L.A. Convention Center news conference by nationally renowned sports agent Leigh Steinberg and San Francisco '49ers' up-and-coming quarterback Ken Dorsey, where the discussion will focus on Speier's plan to offer a resolution mandating that all high-school coaches receive training about the growing use of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) among teen athletes.

"I want California's Democratic Party to stand behind this issue to protect our youth," said Speier. "Last year Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed my legislation requiring high-school coaches to be educated about steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Democrats have an important opportunity to step up to the plate and take ownership of this issue."

Long before steroids became a national issue, Speier became the first politician in California to focus on the surge in steroids and PEDs use by high-school athletes. Speier, who has pushed for greater attention to this issue for the past 18 months -- and its effect on the health and well-being of teen athletes -- wants to make sure that Democrats get behind the issue as chief champions of a crackdown on steroids abuse so the party does not cede this issue to Republicans. President Bush said today that steroids have put a "cloud over baseball" that has destroyed America's confidence in the game's integrity. Last month Congress held an unprecedented hearing about the prevalence of steroids in professional baseball.

Speier's resolution will follow the principles contained in her Senate Bill 1630 -- vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger last year -- and SB 37, which Speier introduced this year.

WHO:    State Senator Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo),
             2006 candidate for Lt. Governor
            Legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg
            San Francisco '49ers "quarterback to watch" Ken Dorsey

    WHAT:   News conference

    WHEN:   Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 5 p.m.

    WHERE:  Democratic Convention, Los Angeles Convention Center,
            outside Room 502 A/B