Washington, DC -- Bob Woodruff of ABC News and his wife, Lee, will provide a poignant start to CUNA’s 2009 Governmental Affairs Conference, while the NBC Today Show’s Al Roker will offer a lighthearted finish. All will be featured program speakers for the conference, which is Feb. 22-26 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Bob and Lee Woodruff will highlight the GAC’s opening general session on Monday, Feb. 23. As an anchor and reporter for ABC News, Bob Woodruff is a respected, informed correspondent in American broadcasting. While reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces in January 2006, Woodruff was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq.

Woodruff will recount those shattering moments when he believed his life was over, gratefully describing the bravery of the men and women who saved his life, and his subsequent stages of recovery. He and his wife, Lee, will share stories from his moving and inspirational best-selling memoir, “In An Instant.” The Woodruffs’ presentation provides a new understanding of the precious nature of life, the strength of family, and how to survive and overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.

As the closing GAC speaker on Thursday, Feb. 26, Roker, beloved weatherman and host of NBC’s Today Show, brings his charisma and sense of humor to the podium during a talk entitled, “Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella.” A 10-time Emmy Award winner, Roker conducts celebrity interviews, technology updates, and the “Today’s Dad” continuing segment, featuring parenting tips for fathers. He also hosts the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Rose Bowl Parade, and the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center.

Additional highlights of the 2009 GAC include:

• A kickoff concert featuring the Lt. Dan Band, formed by Chicago composer Kimo Williams and actor/musician Gary Sinise, star of the hit CBS TV show “CSI New York.”
• Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, will offer economic outlook and commentary.
• Pundits Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala will face off over current economic developments in national news, politics, and world issues.
• Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) – chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
• Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) – chairman of the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
• More speakers to be announced in coming weeks.

CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference is the credit union movement’s premier national conference on Washington issues. For more information on the GAC or to register, visit www.cuna.org and click the GAC 2009 icon or enter GAC2009 in the search box.