Auburn schoolteacher Jeff Alberici will deliver the Democratic Radio Address, the Democratic Party's weekly, national rebuttal to President George Bush's radio address, this morning according to U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer's office.

Schumer said in a news release that Alberici, a father of three, will discuss how the current economic climate, from the rising cost of groceries to the skyrocketing price of gas, is negatively impacting families across upstate New York and the entire country.

“We all get our 15 minutes of fame,” Alberici said. “It's a story I'll be able to tell my students, teaching American History. It's amazing.”

Alberici was impressed that Sen. Harry Reid, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, would be on the phone with someone from a small town like Auburn.

He said that he was asked by Owasco Town Supervisor John Klink, a former teacher of his and a family friend, if he would be willing to speak for 20 or 25 minutes as a father with a young family about how rising gas prices are affecting middle income families.

Alberici then spoke with Sen. Reid's speechwriters, who wrote up what he said, tweaked it, and sent it back for his approval. After consulting with family members, Alberici changed a few things and practiced with his neighbors.

“It hurts us hard as a middle class family,” Alberici said of rising gas prices. “It's going to hurt everybody.”

“I asked if it was OK to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day,” he said, and added it to the end of his talk.