Mayor O'Neill To Serve As Grand Prix Grand Marshal Sunday

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LONG BEACH MAYOR BEVERLY O誰EILL WILL SERVE AS GRAND MARSHAL FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH

...City of Long Beach Mayor Beverly O誰eill will help get the Champ Cars under way as Grand Marshal, saying the most famous words in racing -- "Gentlemen, start your engines!" -- at the 30th Anniversary Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 18.

The popular Mayor O誰eill, who won a third consecutive Mayoral term in 2002 as a write-in candidate, is presently chair of the US Conference of Mayors Advisory Board and will assume the presidency of the USCM in June 2005. She has had a strong presence at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for the past ten years as Mayor.

She has led the city to a nationally recognized urban renaissance that began after the devastating economic losses of the early 1990s caused by aerospace downsizing and closure of several Navy facilities. Mayor O誰eill has been a strong proponent of education, economic development and jobs during her terms in office and served as president of the League of California Cities in 2002.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Mayor O誰eill as the Grand Marshal for our race," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. "She has been unparalleled in her support of this city and our event and it is most fitting that we honor her in this manner. And the fact that we are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year makes this even more appropriate."

"The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach has always been one of the highlights of our year. I am thrilled to be asked to be the Grand Marshal this year," the Mayor said.

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The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is owned and operated by Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Inc., a subsidiary of Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD)...