Oct. 14, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will speak about the security challenges of the 21^st century at a World Affairs Council of Houston luncheon on October 21^st.

Her speech will launch the Council’s Dillon Anderson Lecture on National Security, named for the Houstonian who served as National Security Advisor to President Eisenhower.

This program is presented by Andrews Kurth in a three-year commitment to the Dillon Anderson Lecture. Other major sponsors include Madison Benefits Group, Inc., Schirrmeister Diaz-Arrastia Brem, Chevron, and CB&I.

“We are happy to sponsor the Dillon Anderson Lecture on National Security and delighted to bring Condoleezza Rice to Houston,” said John Cabaniss of Andrews Kurth. “It will be a vigorous discussion of security issues as well as a chance to learn about Houstonian Dillon Anderson, only the second person to hold the office of national security advisor. I am also pleased and proud that many of Dillon Anderson’s family will join us for the program, including his grandson, Jerry Van Kyle, who assists clients in our Austin office.”

Thanks to a generous contribution by ConocoPhillips and The Brown Foundation, over 100 Houston-area students will have the opportunity to attend Dr. Rice’s presentation.

After the luncheon, Dr. Rice will meet privately with a select group of high school students, who have been nominated by their teachers for a demonstrated interest in international affairs. This meeting, called Conversations with History, will include one student from schools across greater Houston, including Alief Taylor High School, Cypress Ridge High School, Pasadena Memorial High School, Clear Creek High School, Awty International School, Ross Sterling High School, Scarborough High School, and Spring Branch High School of Choice.

The World Affairs Council presents all sides of current global issues, promotes better understanding of international relations and contributes to national and international policy debates. Membership is open to the public. To attend, call 713-522-7811 or visit www.wachouston.org for more information.