On April 7, 2003, Georgia Tech students will share the stage with former Congressman Bob Barr for a discussion of the timely topic of civil liberties and the nation's response to terrorism. In response to the events of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Congress passed the USA Patriot Act, expanding certain powers available to law enforcement agencies. Mr. Barr and the students will present information regarding the civil liberties implications of the USA Patriot Act (and subsequent legislative proposals) and offer their views concerning whether this legislation represents an appropriate balancing of security interests and individual rights.

The Georgia Tech students who will be participating are from the School of Public Policy's class on Constitutional Issues. Atlanta Attorney Georgia Lord will moderate the forum.

The forum will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2003. An informal reception follows the discussion. The event is free, but seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will be held in Clary Theatre in the Bill Moore Student Success Center on the Georgia Tech campus. Parking will be available at the visitor's lot near the Tech Student Center on Ferst Drive.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Individual Rights Section of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Bob Barr formerly represented Georgia's Seventh District in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his service in the U.S. Congress he held the post of Assistant Majority Whip. Prior to his service in the House, Mr. Barr was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. He has also worked in the CIA and has served as President of the Southeastern Legal Foundation. Currently, Mr. Barr occupies chairs at The American Conservative Union and Freedom Alliance; he also is a consultant on privacy matters for the American Civil Liberties Union, and serves as counsel for the Law Office of Edwin Marger in Jasper, Georgia.