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NEWS RELEASE February 20, 2007 Washington and Jalisco strengthening ties
The Mariachi Autla, from the town of Autla in Jalisco, performs in the Senate chambers when Lt. Gov. Brad Owen hosted Jalisco governor-elect Emilio Gonzalez Marquez and his wife Imelda Guzman de Leon during their visit to Washington state and Olympia on Feb. 20. See the news release for more information on the governor-elect's visit. (State Senate photo). OLYMPIA – Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and State Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney hosted a luncheon today to welcome Governor Elect of the Mexican state of Jalisco, Emilio González Márquez and future First Lady Imelda Guzmán de León in the Washington State Capitol. “It is a testament to the strength of the nearly-eleven-year-old sister state relationship that the governor-elect chose to take time out of his busy schedule, just days before his inauguration, to visit us,” said Lt. Governor Brad Owen. Washington and Jalisco formed a sister state relationship in 1996 following the principle of equality and mutual benefit to carry out cooperation and exchanges in the areas of economic development and trade, science and technology, agriculture and forestry, and culture and education, among others. There are currently more than 500,000 Latinos living in Washington state, many of whom have direct ties with Jalisco and have established small businesses that contribute to the state’s economic growth. "I am honored to have Governor Elect González and his delegation here,” said Rep. Gutiérrez Kenney (D-Seattle). “As Chair of the House Community and Economic Development and Trade Committee, I believe it’s crucial that we strengthen the bridges laid by previous administrations; through collaborative work I’m certain that we will establish further economic development and educational programs between the two sister states.” Governor Elect Emilio González Márquez and his delegation are visiting our state in response to an invitation made by the Association of Jaliscienses in Washington State, better known in the community as Club Jalisco. Governor Elect González also met with Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier today. He will be sworn into office on March 1, 2007 in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco.
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