Staff report

On Thursday, May 1, the 19 Annual Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. in the National Guard Armory.

This Suffolk event is being held concurrently with the National Day of Prayer, which will be celebrated May 1 throughout the United States.

The Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast is a sellout each year. This was originally held in October, during Peanut Fest, but the event was moved to the first Thursday in May to coincide with the National Day of Prayer Observance.

The speaker and music for this event are usually not announced ahead. Speakers in the past years have included such notables as in 2002 NY Firefighters Bill Fanos and Mark Ruppert, Commander James V. Ritchie (USS Shreveport), Commander Roy J. Kelley (USS Roosevelt), and in prior years, Lieutenant Jeffrey R. Vignery (Co-pilot) of Ep-3 Plane Downed in China), David L. Cook, John Guest, Bobby Hillin Jr., PGA Champion Paul Azinger, Coach Tom Landry formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, General Dick Abel, past official of the United States Olympic Committee, Adolph Coors IV, Admiral Jerry Johnson, Deputy Chief of the US Navy, just to name a few. The 2003 audience is sure not to be disappointed with this year’s selection.

Musicians who have participated have included Meghan Shane, Miss Virginia 2001-2002, Staci Wallace, recording artist and international speaker, Tara Dawn Christensen, Miss America 1997, Marilyn

McCoo of the 5th Dimension, Susie McEntire Luchinger, Bob Carlisle, Wintley Phipps, Larnell Harris, Steve Green, Bable Mason, and Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers.

Those attending the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast in past years have included the mayor and City Council, the former governor of Virginia, Lt. Gov. and Attorney General, state senators and Delegates, the school board chairman, board members and superintendent, the Chamber of Commerce chairman, business leaders and high school student leaders.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives breakfast group inaugurated the National Prayer Breakfast to seek God’s guidance as well as to reaffirm the faith to God, His plan and purposes.

Also, Virginia State leaders have for many years met in Richmond for the Annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast with the Governor of Virginia. Likewise, the five cities in Tidewater also host the annual South Hampton Roads Leadership Prayer Breakfast.

These events, as well as the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast, are part of the National Prayer Breakfast movement and its format is identical to that of the National Prayer Breakfast held annually in Washington in which the President participates.

Tickets for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast will go on sale Tuesday, April 1. They will be available at Chorey & Associates Realty at 330 West Constance Rd. (539-7451). Businesses may purchase a tale of eight for auctioneer employees for $120.

Individual tickets may also be purchased for $15 per person. Because this breakfast is often a sellout, it is recommended that tickets be purchased as early as possible.