February 14, 2006—The Congressional Human Rights Caucus, a bipartisan organization in the House of Representatives, is expanding to the U.S. Senate for the first time in its 23-year history and will be hosting a reception this Wednesday. Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), member of the Human Rights Caucus and co-chair of the Religious Freedom Task Force in the Caucus, will be on hand at the reception.

What:  Reception to celebrate the Congressional Human Rights Caucus becoming bicameral.

When:  Wednesday, February 15, 2006 – 5:30 PM EST

Where:  Russell Office Building – Room 345

Who:    Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
  Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
  Ambassador Robert Zoellick, Deputy Secretary of State
  Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), Religious Freedom Task Force co-chair

Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) will co-chair the Senate Caucus. 

The Caucus, currently with 240 House members, was founded in 1983 by Co-Chairman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and former Co-Chairman John Edward Porter (R-IL).  The Caucus welcomed Congressmen Frank R. Wolf (R-VA) as Co-Chair in 2001 when Porter retired from Congress.   Porter continues to serve as honorary co-chair.

This event is open to press and the public.

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.