National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will attend the 34th Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held in Green Bay's Lambeau Field Atrium Saturday night, July 17, and feature the enshrinement of Packers President/CEO Robert E. Harlan, Hall of Fame President Michael B. Gage announced Thursday.
Tagliabue's appearance will mark the first time a sitting NFL commissioner has attended a Packers Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The enshrinement banquet was inaugurated in 1970.
A capacity crowd of more than 1,100 fans is expected to attend the dinner, which will be held in the Lambeau Field Atrium for the first time.
Harlan, in his 15th year as the Packers' president and chief executive officer, was unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame in recognition of his multiple contributions to the NFL's most storied franchise, which has become pro football's most successful organization under his leadership, posting 11 winning seasons in the last 12 years.
Harlan will become the 131st member of the Hall of Fame. He will be presented for induction by Larry McCarren, sports director of Green Bay's WFRV-TV and himself a member of the "Hall," having been inducted in 1992 following a distinguished, 12-year Packers playing career at center.
In addition to the induction ceremony, the banquet program will include recognition of the Packers' 2003 "Most Valuable Player" and "Defensive Rookie of the Year," selections to be announced later.
Jessie Garcia, sports reporter/anchor for Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV, will emcee the event.
