At 7 p.m. May 6, the 20th Annual Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held in the National Guard Armory.

This Suffolk event is being held concurrently with the National Day of Prayer, which will be celebrated that Thursday throughout the United States.

The Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast is a sellout each year. For many years, it was held in October, during Peanut Fest, but the event was eventually moved to the first Thursday in May to coincide with the National Day of Prayer.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives breakfast group inaugurated the National Prayer Breakfast.

Also, Virginia State leaders have for many years met in Richmond for the Annual Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast with the Governor of Virginia. Likewise, the five cities in Tidewater also host the annual South Hampton Roads Leadership Prayer Breakfast. These events, as well as the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast, are part of the National Prayer Breakfast movement, and its format is identical to that of the National Prayer Breakfast held annually in Washington in which the President participates.

The speaker and music for this event are usually not announced ahead.

Speakers in the past years have included such notables as in 2003 two heroes from the war in Iraq were honored on the program, as in 2002 New York Firefighters Bill Fanos and Mark Ruppert from Sept. 11th World Trade Center attacks, and in prior years, Lieutenant Jeffrey R. Vignery (Co-pilot of Ep-3 Plane Downed in China), David L. Cook, John Guest, Tony Evans, NASCAR driver Bobby Hillin Jr., PGA Champion Paul Azinger, Coach Tom Landry, General Dick Abel, past official of the United States Olympic Committee, Adolph Coors IV, Admiral Jerry Johnson, Deputy Chief of the US Navy, and Bill Bright just to name a few. Musicians who have participated have included Marilyn McCoo of the 5th Dimension, Tara Dawn Christensen, Miss America 1997, Meghan Shanely, Miss Virginia 2001-2002, Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers, Staci Wallace, recording artist and international speaker, Susie McEntire Luchsinger, Bob Carlisle, Wintley Phipps, Larnell Harris, Steve Green, and Babie Mason.

Those attending the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast in past years have included the mayor and city council, the former governor of Virginia, lt. governor and attorney general, state senators and delegates, School Board chairman and board members and superintendent, Chamber of Commerce chairman, business leaders and high school student leaders.

Tickets for the Suffolk Leadership Prayer Breakfast will go on sale April 5. They will be available at Chorey & Associates Realty at 330 West Constance Road (539-7451). Businesses may purchase a table of eight for customers and/or employees for $120. Individual tickets may also be purchased for $15 per person. Because this breakfast is often a sellout, it is recommended that tickets be purchased as early as possible.