Florida Forum Features Anderson Cooper, Sir Richard Branson, Larry Kudlow and Tiki Barber
Florida Forum Lecture Series Kicks off October 20, 2007

Jacksonville, Florida, May 16, 2007 -- The Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital (Wolfson) has announced its guest lecturers for the 2007-2008 Florida Forum lecture series.

Saturday, October 20, 2007 - Anderson Cooper, award-winning reporter and CNN news anchor

Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - Sir Richard Branson, music industry and air travel entrepreneur

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Larry Kudlow, economist, CEO, TV host and commentator

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 - Tiki Barber, broadcaster, retired pro football running back, and author

All lectures are held in the Florida Theatre at 7 pm.

At age 28, Anderson Cooper became the youngest correspondent at ABC News. Since then, the Yale University graduate has won several awards. He joined CNN in December 2001 and currently anchors the nightly news program, "Anderson Cooper 360°," which received particular attention during the emotional aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

A visionary on land and in the skies, Sir Richard Branson defines the term, "business pioneer." After launching Virgin Records as a young man, he expanded into retail, mobile phones, hotels and other ventures, then turned his sights skyward to begin Virgin Atlantic Airways. Never one to shy away from the limelight and adventure, he launched Virgin Galactic, a space tourism business based on the history-making SpaceShipOne.

A familiar face in Washington, Wall Street and on cable TV, Larry Kudlow is the founder and CEO of a New York City economic and investment research firm. He is the host of CNBC's nightly show, "Kudlow & Company." Consistently ranked one of the nation's most accurate economic forecasters, the alumnus of the University of Rochester and Princeton University has counseled Wall Street firms and two Republican administrations.

Tiki Barber retired from professional football in 2007, holding every New York Giants rushing record and tied with two other NFL players for yards rushing and receiving. The three-time Pro Bowl player was both a scholar and an athlete at the University of Virginia. Barber joined NBC in 2007 and is splitting his time between the "Today" show and NBC's "Football Night in America." Barber is also an award-winning children's book co-author with his brother, Ronde Barber.

Florida Forum is an annual speaker series begun in 1992, produced by The Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital. It is a benefit which funds select areas and programs to enhance this pediatric health care facility. Each Florida Forum season features high-profile personalities who address informative and entertaining topics. Among the past 47 distinguished speakers, Florida Forum has hosted President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush, Bill Cosby, Katie Couric, Rudy Giuliani, Senator John Glenn, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Queen Noor of Jordan, Secretary of State Colin Powell, General Norman Schwarzkopf, and former Prime Minister of Great Britain Margaret Thatcher.

The Florida Forum has enriched the intellectual and cultural life of Jacksonville for more than 15 years, while contributing more than $4.5 million to Wolfson Children's Hospital. 2007 and 2008 funds will provide for specific needs of Children's Surgical Services, one of the fastest growing areas at the hospital with more than 10,000 surgeries a year.

"Maintaining this children's hospital as a regional referral center requires that we keep on top of ever-changing technological advancements," says pediatric urologist Michael Erhard, MD, chairman of the department of Children's Surgical Services at Wolfson.

For more information, visit www.thefloridaforum.com.