Sarasota- Congressman Vern Buchanan to Serve as Honorary Co-chair for World Rowing Championships

The 2017 World Rowing Championships Host Committee is pleased to announce that United States Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., has agreed to serve as an honorary chairman for next year’s international competition in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.

“I am honored to serve as the honorary chair of the 2017 World Rowing Championships,” said Buchanan. “This event will bring new visitors to our region, showcase a world-class sporting venue, and help boost the economy. I look forward to playing a small role in this event.”

Congressman Buchanan will have the opportunity to attend Local Organizing Committee meetings, where he will be able to advise and assist committee members. Moreover, to ensure the Congressman remains informed on the planning, progress and activation of the Championships, he will be provided with regular updates.

“We sincerely feel with the Congressman’s support and endorsement of the event, our level of success will exceed all expectations,” said Meredith Scerba, the executive director of the 2017 World Rowing Championships. “We welcome his guidance, relationships, expertise and leadership as we welcome the world to our community and the State of Florida!”

Congressman Buchanan has served in the United States House of Representatives since 2007. His district includes parts of Sarasota and Manatee and counties. Buchanan is co-chair of the bipartisan 29-member Florida congressional delegation and Florida’s only member of Congress to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, international trade, health care, welfare, Social Security, and Medicare. Buchanan is chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee, which oversees federal assistance for families, children, the disabled, and the unemployed. A husband and father, Congressman Buchanan lives in Longboat Key, Florida with his wife of more than 30 years. Vern and Sandy Buchanan have two grown sons, James and Matt.

ABOUT THE 2017 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
From September 23 – October 3, 2017, the World Rowing Championships, an international rowing regatta organized by FISA (the International Rowing Federation), will be held at Nathan Benderson Park, a Grade A course in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, “Where world class athletes come to compete.” In the forty-eight years of the event’s existence, the United States has hosted only one other World Championships in 1994 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This weeklong event is held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer. In non-Olympic years, it is the highlight of the international rowing calendar. Rowing takes place in 21 different boat classes for both men and women.
Our goal is to attract athletes, family, friends and fans from around the United States and the world, to attend this world-class event, and grow the following of rowing in the US.
For more information, please visit www.WRCH2017.com

press release photo from Max Winitz