Chuck Norris coming to Cedar Rapids for Vander Plaats

Internationally known actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris and his wife, Gena, will appear with Bob Vander Plaats at a 5:30 p.m. June 4 at the hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd., SW, in Cedar Rapids.

Norris, who  is backing Vander Plaats, a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, also will also appear at a noon event at LeClaire Park on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport. June 5, the campaign will have a 10:30 a.m. rally at Jordan Park Camp, 2251 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines. A 4:30 p.m. rally is scheduled at The Bluffs Center, 714 S. Main St., Council Bluffs.

The events are free and open to the public.

Prior to the public events, the Vander Plaats campaign will hold several $500-per-couple private receptions. Reservations are limited and must be made no later than May 24. All private reception requests are to be made through Tim Dusenbery at tim.dusenbery@teamvp2010.com or at (515) 278-5183.

Norris writes a nationally syndicated column and is active in conservative and pro-family causes. The popular actor and his wife drew an enthusiastic response from Iowans when they visited the state on behalf of Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign.

Norris began his martial arts training while serving in the U.S. Air Force in South Korea. He held the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title for six consecutive years. He has appeared in a number of popular films over the past 30 years, beginning with “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee in 1972. He broadened his fan base with younger audiences, too, when he starred in the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger” from 1993 to 2001.

A Christian and political conservative, Norris writes a column for the website WorldNetDaily and is the author of several Christian-themed books, including the new, expanded version of Black Belt Patriot just published in paperback by Fidelis Books. He also authored The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book, which offers 101 facts and favorites stories of his life and was released by Tyndale House Publishers.