SEATTLE – At least 23 lieutenant governors from across the United States and American Samoa are expected to attend the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) meeting July 17-19 in Seattle, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen said. 

“Connecting with a Changing World” is the theme for the annual meeting of the states’ second-in-commands at the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown at Sixth and Seneca. In support of the theme Owen will moderate a panel discussion on international trade from practice to policy.  Another panel will explore the anticipated effects of a federal requirement for every U.S. citizen to present a passport to re-enter the United States as soon as 2008.

The lieutenant governors will visit the Microsoft campus in nearby Redmond and hear from Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith on “Visions of the Future from an International Technology Leader.” Immediately following will be a visit to the Boeing plant in Everett, where attendees will learn how advancements in the aerospace industry are contributing to the ‘shrinking’ of the globe. 

“As Washington is the host state, and because we are a state so reliant on trade, we thought an international focus would be the obvious choice for this NLGA meeting,” Owen said.  

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire will deliver the opening address and the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard will present the colors. Lt. Gov. Jane Norton of Colorado, the NLGA chair, will bring the meeting to order and call roll. 

Other topics before the lieutenant governors: 

NLGA Executive Director Julia Hurst said in addition to the 23 lieutenant governors who have confirmed their attendance, three others are still on the “possible” list.

“We should have an excellent turnout for what has shaped up to be an outstanding program,” said Hurst, who has been working closely with Owen’s office on the event.

Seattle was selected as the site for the meeting just last December after it became apparent that New Orleans would not be able to accommodate the event due to damages by Hurricane Katrina.

The full agenda and more information about the meeting are on the NLGA Web site at http://www.nlga.us. Portions of the meeting will be covered via tape delay by TVW, Washington State’s public affairs network.

(Special note to news media: Credentialed press members are welcome to attend open sessions.  Press must pre-register so that entry materials are ready on-site.  See full agenda and registration link at www.nlga.us).    

For more information contact:                             

Brian Dirks,  Office of Lt. Gov. Brad Owen
(360) 786-7707
Dirks.brian@leg.wa.gov