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Declaration of Independence Displayed at GHS as Part of Cricket Wireless VIP Event

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Savannah, GA, September 29, 2008 – Throughout the 2008 election year, a surviving Dunlap broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed on the evening of July 4, 1776, has toured the country as part of the Cricket Wireless Declaration Road Trip 2008. This joint venture between Cricket Communications and Declare Yourself has provided tens of thousands of citizens the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view this remarkable document and learn about its historical significance and contemporary relevance. Savannah is one of 17 stops made throughout the country as part of a non-partisan initiative to educate America's youth about the importance of voting. Declare Yourself, founded by producer Norman Lear, has registered nearly two million voters in the past four years.

Friday, September 26, 2008 marked the beginning of a two-day stop in Savannah, which kicked off with a VIP reception held at the Georgia Historical Society’s Headquarters at 501 Whitaker Street. The reception brought together local leaders, media, and other interested parties for a private viewing of this historic document. In addition, GHS was proud to be able to display its rare draft-copy of the U.S. Constitution, one of only 10 known copies. These two documents are cornerstones in the history of our nation, and GHS was very pleased to have been part of this display.

The reception also served as a kickoff for the public exhibition of the Declaration at the Massie Heritage Center on Saturday, September 27. The Massie event included performances by A.W.O.L. and the Readers Theatre, prize drawings, hands-on activities for children, tours of the Massie Heritage Center, and voter registration. Following the Saturday exhibition the tour headed for its final stop in Nashville, TN.

Cricket Communications, Inc. purchased the wireless business of Hargray Communications and will bring Cricket's products and services to the Savannah/Hilton Head market in October.  Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket services are offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.

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 in the 2008 presidential election. Partnering with leaders in education, the entertainment industry, popular online destinations and media outlets, the fashion industry and retailers, Declare Yourself registered more than 1.2 million people in the 2004 and 2006 elections at www.DeclareYourself.com. 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.