Moore Hallmark, regional executive director for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, will be the keynote speaker at the Effingham County Chamber’s membership breakfast on Oct. 8. The breakfast will be held at First Baptist Church-Rincon (Memorial Chapel) at 7:30 a.m.

In the wake of developments on Wall Street, the failed bailout legislation and pending passage of a revised bill by Congress, Hallmark will offer the U.S. Chamber’s take on today’s political and economic environment.

“We feel this is going to be a very informative breakfast,” Citizens Bank of Effingham CEO Michael Lee, local Chamber president said.

Hallmark will also discuss trends in the presidential and key congressional races.

In his position as executive director for the Southeastern Regional Office of the U.S. Chamber, Hallmark oversees the congressional and public affairs initiatives for eight Southeastern states: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The mission of the office is to develop and maintain the region’s legislative, political and grassroots resources for the achievement of the U.S. Chamber’s public policy goals.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Hallmark served as the governmental affairs director for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia, where he served as the association’s chief lobbyist. In his professional career, he has also served as the governmental affairs director for the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, district legislative director for former Congressman Bob Barr, and senior district director for the Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Reservations are $12. Tables of 6 are available. RSVP by Oct. 6. Call the Effingham Chamber at 754-3301.

Directions: From points south take Highway 21 north into Rincon and turn right at 6th Street. Go one block and turn left on Richland Avenue. First Baptist’s Memorial Chapel is on the left.