ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The following statement may be attributed to americansforwalmart.org Executive Director Luke Boggs:
"On behalf of americansforwalmart.org, I congratulate Working Families for Wal-Mart on the appointment of Andrew Young to the position of steering committee chairman.
"Like millions of Americans, I have long been an admirer of Ambassador Young. He is a man of unquestionable courage, character and integrity, and a leader who has never hesitated to stand up for his convictions.
"This is an exceptional appointment and a great day for the overwhelming majority of Americans who do not want special interest lobbyists to succeed in harming our nation's top employer and leading retail innovator.
"From the historic early days of the civil rights movement through a lifetime of public service, Ambassador Young has made a difference. Along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ambassador Young called on us all to realize ever more fully our greatest, most fundamental American ideals. His efforts have made our nation immeasurably better.
"As a lifelong Atlanta resident, I am particularly honored to have our former mayor joining the fight to defend Wal-Mart against those now doing all they can to smear the name of a great American company.
"Critics of Wal-Mart claim to speak for the poor and downtrodden. But Ambassador Young understands that Wal-Mart is a tremendous positive for the people of this country, particularly those of modest means.
"Not only does Wal-Mart employ 1.3 million Americans, but the company's signature commitment to low prices has reduced the cost of living and raised the standard of living for all Americans.
"In fact, a 2005 Global Insight study found that Wal-Mart, by maintaining downward pressure on retail pricing over the past 20 years, saved the American people $263 billion in 2004 alone. That's $2,329 in annual household savings.
"At americansforwalmart.org, we are excited to see a leader of Andrew Young's historic stature at the helm of Working Families for Wal-Mart. We wish him every success as he continues, in this new role, to make a difference for America's working families."
The grassroots consumer effort americansforwalmart.org is the founding campaign of Americans For Free Enterprise, Inc., a nonprofit Georgia corporation not affiliated with or funded by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The executive director of americansforwalmart.org is Luke Boggs, an Atlanta-based writer who has written for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other publications. For more information, go to http://www.americansforwalmart.org.