Good morning.

Here are a few Washington events of note for Thursday, August 31, as compiled by the Associated Press.

9:30 a.m. AGENT ORANGE — South Korean veterans of the Vietnam War hold a rally to bring attention to the problems of troops who fought with U.S. soldiers in Vietnam.
Location: Lafayette Park.

10 a.m. ECONOMY-CHAMBER — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds a briefing to discuss the economic outlook, immigration reform and pensions.
Location: 1615 H St. NW.

10 a.m. NAACP-IRS — NAACP President Bruce Gordon and Board Chairman Julian Bond hold a news conference to discuss the investigation of the NAACP by the IRS.
Location: National Press Club.

10 a.m. NUCLEAR TERRORISM — Physicians for Social Responsibility holds a briefing to release astudy on U.S. nuclear terrorism preparedness.
Location: National Press Club.

10 a.m. POPPY PRODUCTION — A senior State Department official holds a background briefing on progress in efforts to control Afghan poppy cultivation.
Location: Foreign Press Center, National Press Building.
Notes: Foreign media only. No cameras.

11 a.m. LADIES OF DISTINICTION — The Fourth Annual First Ladies Benefit Luncheon will be held to honor "First Ladies of Distinction." The honorees are: Alexine Clement Jackson, First African American Woman National President of YWCA of USA; Janet Murguia, President/CEO, National Council of LaRaza, First Woman President of a national Hispanic organization; Kyle Zimmer, President/Co-founder, First Book, an award-winning non profit organization that provides thousands of low-income children with their first new books; Renee Poussaint, journalist, CEO/Co-founder with Dr. Camille Cosby of The National Visionary Leadership Project.
Location: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW.
Notes: Reception and silent auction: 11 a.m. Luncheon and awards ceremony: Noon.

11 a.m. WORKING AMERICA — The Economic Policy Institute holds a telephone briefing to release the 10th edition of its report, "The State of Working America."

11:45 a.m. MINORITY BUSINESS — Commerce Secretary Gutierrez speaks on minority business development and the economy at the 24th Annual National Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference.
Location: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW

1 p.m. 9/11 AVAILABILITIES — The Defense Department's Washington Headquarters Services Communications Department holds the last in a series of availabilities to assist media organizations with Sept. 11 fifth anniversary efforts, such as getting B roll, interviews, etc.
Location: Pentagon.

2 p.m. PERSIAN CARPETS — The Textile Museum hosts a press tour of its exhibit, "Pieces of a Puzzle: Classical Persian Carpet Fragments," featuring nine examples of a little-known carpet type named after the historic Persian province of Khorasan, located in modern-day Iran.
Location: Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW.
Notes: There will be a short reception at 2 p.m., followed by a gallery tour led by museum director and exhibition cuarator Daniel Walker.