THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE 232 YEARS LATER

With Fourth of July Approaching, Our Nation’s Birth Certificate Energizes Millions of Young People to Register to Vote through the Non-Partisan Initiative Declare Yourself

LOS ANGELES, CA  – June 30, 2008 – 232 years to the day since it was first printed, an original copy of the Declaration of Independence will once again be in the people’s hands this July 4th, as part of Declare Yourself’s non-partisan initiative to register every new voter in time for election day. Declare Yourself, founded by producer Norman Lear, has registered nearly two million voters in the past four years.

Currently touring the country, Lear’s is one of 25 remaining originals of the Declaration of Independence created on the evening of July 4, 1776, a symbol of democracy that is just as powerful over 200 years after its creation. Lear purchased the Declaration of Independence at auction after it was discovered in 1989 hidden behind a framed painting purchased at a flea market.

This Fourth of July, the Declaration of Independence will be on public display aboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego throughout the day, then again that evening when the Museum reopens for its annual "A Celebration of America" event. To commemorate the birthday of America and the presence of our nation's most prized possession, Cricket Wireless and Declare Yourself are also planning a major entertainment show prior to the Big Bay Fireworks Show, which will feature celebrity performances and a special program to honor US Veterans in cooperation with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's Association of America.

“The enduring power of the Declaration of Independence speaks for itself,” said Marc Morgenstern, executive director of Declare Yourself. “We know by the amount of traffic to our website, the Declaration helps motivate young people, and there’s no better way to honor our nation’s birth certificate than by registering and voting this year.” The youth voter initiative expects to register thousands of young people at the San Diego event and on-line across the nation at www.declareyourself.com.

In 2008, the Declaration of Independence is touring the country as part of the Cricket Wireless Declaration Road Trip, making 17 stops along the way as it reaches tens of thousands of eager viewers of all ages. Evidence of the continuing impact of the document can also be witnessed in the many efforts of some of Declare Yourself’s partners for the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, which include:

• Harper Collins – Inspired by the Declaration, a new book has been released called Declare Yourself in which 50 celebrated Americans – from Adrian Grenier to Amber Tamblyn to Hayden Panettiere to Alice Walker – share their compelling perspectives on voting and civic involvement in this one-of-a-kind book. Guest edited by actress America Ferrera, this collection of more than fifty essays and unique pieces explores topics ranging from "The First Time I Voted" to "Why the Personal is Political," all straight from the pens of recognized public figures.
• American Eagle Outfitters – Bringing the spirit of the Declaration to life for today’s trendsetters, American Eagle Outfitters has designed a limited edition graphic T shirt available now for young adults looking to make a nonpartisan fashion statement and "Declare" themselves in 2008. American Eagle Outfitters has created a complementary online and in-store campaign encouraging all 18-year olds to register and vote in the 2008 election.

About Declare Yourself
Having already registered nearly 500,000 voters for the 2008 election, Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign that energizes and empowers every eligible 18 to 29 year-old in America to register and vote. Using the power of strategic media partnerships, celebrity spokespeople, the sports arena, and most importantly, mobile and Internet technology, Declare Yourself's campaign blankets the landscape of popular culture with a simple, clear message: REGISTER and VOTE! Declare Yourself registered 1.2 million young people in 2004 and has targeted 2 million registrations in 2008.The nonprofit, founded by Norman Lear, was launched in 2003 as the culmination of the Declaration of Independence Road Trip, a nationwide multi-media exhibit and tour of an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.

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