Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman, House Press Secretary, (907) 258-8164
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Press Secretary, (907) 258-8184
Anchorage Legislative Information Office
Anchorage, AK 99501
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Phillips, Miller to Join Speaker Gingrich for Western States Tour

For Immediate Release: Contact: August 12, 1997 Rep. Phillips (907) 258-8164

ANCHORAGE - House Speaker Gail Phillips and Senate President Mike Miller will represent Alaska at the Western States Coalition's Legislative Roundup tour of four western states. United States House Speaker Newt Gingrich and a congressional delegation will visit the western states as part of an educational tour to learn about land use policies confronting the western public lands states.

"Alaskans and western citizens must address complicated land use policies every day. We hope this educational trip will leave a lasting impression about daily life in the public lands states on Speaker Gingrich and the members of Congress traveling with him. This trip is an exciting opportunity for Alaska and all of the western states to offer insight on the gamut of complicated land use issues facing the Congress," Phillips said.

Speaker Gingrich agreed to attend the Western States Coalition's trip following a winter phone conversation between Phillips and House Speakers from several western states. The congressional tour will include visits to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana on August 27-30.

Phillips serves on the executive board of the Western States Coalition, established to unite state and locally elected officials from the West to heighten awareness of the impact of public policy and to advocate decision making at the level of government closest to the people affected. Over 3,000 mayors, county commissioners and state legislators represent more than 25 million Americans through the Western States Coalition.

The educational trip will focus on forest health issues in Idaho, mining and ranching issues in Utah and Wyoming, and national park management issues in Montana. Throughout the Western States tour, members of Congress will also learn about water sovereignty, Revised Statute 2477 rights-of-way, Endangered Species Act reform, agriculture, private property rights, shared jurisdiction, national park management and responsible resource development.

Representatives from each of the member states of the Western States Coalition will attend the roundup.

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