Hearing on aliens chaired by former Rep., attended by six other former Congress members

Hearing on aliens: The 30 hours of congressional-style hearings kicked off Monday and are scheduled to run through Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Then-US Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick is seen at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, in 2010, in Detroit. Kilpatrick and six other former members of Congress are chairing a hearing on whether there is life beyond Earth. It began Monday, April 29, 2013, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., and runs through May 3. A private group sponsoring the hearing says it hopes to prove that aliens contact Earth, and that the government is trying to keep it secret.

Carlos Osorio/AP/File

April 30, 2013

Ex-U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit and six other former Congress members are presiding over hearings on the existence of extraterrestrials.

The 30 hours of congressional-style hearings kicked off Monday and are scheduled to run through Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Those testifying hope to prove that aliens contact Earth — and that the government is trying to keep it secret.

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Kilpatrick tells The Detroit News she's been researching the topic and is "looking forward to the week's activities."

The News says Kilpatrick, who is being paid $20,000 plus expenses, will chair the panel on Tuesday.

Kilpatrick is a Democrat who served in Congress from 1997-2011. Her son, ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, is awaiting sentencing after being convicted on two dozen counts of corruption.