HOUSTON (Map) - HOUSTON, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry announced today that Cherie Blair, a leading human rights attorney and wife of former British Prime Minister

Tony Blair; Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, author of New York Times bestseller, "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10"; and Meg Whitman, former president and chief executive officer of eBay, will be part of the keynote lineup for the ninth annual Texas Conference for Women. The non-partisan Conference is slated for October 16, 2008 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, and is expected to attract thousands of women for a day of education, networking and fellowship.

"The Texas Conference for Women continues to attract top international figures and leading experts who empower the women of Texas with inspiring stories and practical tools to take on new challenges," said Texas First Lady Anita Perry. "Cherie Blair, Marcus Luttrell and Meg Whitman are phenomenal individuals with personal and professional insights that will enhance the lives of women across the state."

Cherie Blair, a leading human rights attorney and a passionate advocate for women's equality, balances her legal career with raising four children and being the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. In 1995, Blair was appointed Queen's Counsel, a title reserved for the most senior attorneys in England. Blair is active in numerous charitable organizations, including Barnardo's, SCOPE, Breast Cancer Care and the Loomba Trust. Blair is an ambassador for London 2012 and a member of UNICEF's Global Task Force on Water.

Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell is the author of New York Times bestseller, "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10." Luttrell joined the U.S. Navy in March 1999 and became a combat-trained SEAL in January 2002. After serving in Iraq for two years, he was deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2005. In an unparalleled motivational story of survival, Luttrell recounts the harrowing journey of four Navy SEALs into the mountainous border of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Operation Redwing. His book is also a moving tribute to his friends and teammates who did not make it off the mountain. Luttrell went on to complete a second tour of Iraq before retiring in the spring of 2007. He was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism in 2006 by President George W. Bush.

Meg Whitman stepped down as president and chief executive officer of eBay in March 2008. For ten years, Whitman led the company to become an unparalleled global ecommerce engine. Her expertise in brand building combined with her consumer technology experience helped eBay evolve into a company that continues to reshape online commerce, payments and communications around the world. Time named Whitman one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2004 and 2005 and BusinessWeek has included her on its list of the 25 most powerful business managers annually since 2000. Whitman also serves on the Board of Directors of the eBay Foundation, Procter & Gamble and DreamWorks Animation.

In addition to the keynote lineup, more than 75 internationally recognized experts in business, health, personal development, media, the environment and finance will lead seminars and workshops on the issues that affect women today. Attendees will discover new communication skills, leadership strategies and work/life balance tools that will enhance their professional and personal growth as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

BP will serve as the Presenting Sponsor and Wachovia and HP are the Co-Chair Sponsors of the Texas Conference for Women. Many other corporations generously support the day-long event that enhances the lives of Texas women through connection, education and inspiration. Registration is currently available via the Conference Web site, http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org.

For more information on the ninth annual Texas Conference for Women visit http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org or call (866) 375-1785.

Contacts: Shannon Gravitte, 407-443-4441 or sgravitte@pstrategies.com

Arden Anlian, 202-354-8282 or aanlian@pstrategies.com