Below is an official announcement from the Badnarik campaign regarding recent news of Michael Badnarik's hospitialization. We wish Mr. Badnarik the best and are happy to hear of his improving condition and high spirits. He is a patriot serving all Americans and we wish him the best in his recovery.

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Mountain View, CA, July 12, 2005 -- Libertarian political consultant and 2004 Badnarik for President California Campaign Coordinator, Allen Hacker, announced today that Michael Badnarik had been hospitalized on the afternoon of Monday, July 11, 2005 in Texas for treatment and observation of a minor cardiac event. Hacker stated that Badnarik was in good spirits on arrival at the hospital and remained his usual mildly gruff self as staff pushed him through the routine examinations that follow such events.

According to Hacker, Badnarik never collapsed or lost consciousness. "He was a bit tired in the morning and when he exerted himself he experienced moderate chest pains and, later on, increased fatigue. He was driven to the hospital by family."

After all the usual diagnostic tests had been run and he had entered a 24-hour observation phase, Badnarik stated that he was feeling just fine and looking forward to getting back to his life's work of "Lighting the fires of Liberty, one heart at a time!"

Hacker did not disclose the hospital's location, but stated that all patients with this type of event are automatically put into the Intensive Care Unit and usually may not receive non-family visitors or casual phone calls. "The idea is for him to be in a neutral environment for the duration of the observation period, and to get some rest."

Hacker also said, "Michael wants everyone to know he's fine and has too much to do to stop now. He says he hasn't got time to die!"

Hacker said he became involved in the situation as a result of work he is currently doing with Badnarik concerning possible future campaign options, and had already been in frequent telephone contact with Mr. Badnarik over the past several days. Asked whether Mr. Badnarik would be running for office again this year, Hacker opted to defer that question to Mr. Badnarik, saying, "I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on that at this time. For now, I just want to let all of Mike's friends and supporters know that he is fine and they can expect him back into the fray before week's end.""

Should Badnarik's state of health continue to improve at its current rate, a conference call will be conducted on Friday morning for members of the media who wish to hear from Michael directly and perhaps ask him a question or two. Members of the media who wish to become involved in the tele-press conference should contact Allen Hacker at allen@badnarik.org or by telephone at 650-465-7387.