STATE, TACO JOHN'S JOIN TO HELP STRENGTHEN FAMILIES
for a Little

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (September 22, 2004) – The Wyoming Department of Family Services and Taco John’s International today announced a public-private sector partnership designed to highlight the importance of families in Wyoming.

Gov. Dave and First Lady Nancy Freudenthal launched the one-year social marketing campaign at a Cheyenne Taco John’s restaurant on Sept. 22.

Under the partnership with the state Department of Family Services, information on parenting, encouragement for adoption and foster parenting and other information of interest to families will be disseminated through Taco John’s restaurants throughout Wyoming over the next year.

“Nancy and I believe strongly that having a strong family makes a tremendous difference in the lives of children and the health of communities,” the governor said. “We also believe that the business sector can play a major role in supporting and encouraging family success, and we are pleased that Taco John’s is setting an example of what businesses can do to make a difference.”

Taco John’s CEO Paul Fisherkeller said the Wyoming-based corporation is in a unique position to do so for many reasons.

“Taco John’s started in Wyoming and has been a trusted member of the business community for more than 35 years,” he said. “Our franchisees operate 27 restaurants across the state, having daily contact with thousands of Wyoming young people and their families. We can use that as an opportunity to encourage and support them.”

Said DFS Director Rodger McDaniel: “At DFS, we believe parents and families should be given both more support and more responsibility to raise their own children and that communities should accept more responsibility for their own families. This public-private partnership is an example of what we can do together.”