Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate and House Majorities

Wendy Lindskoog (907) 258-8184
Jerry Ritter (907) 258-8164
716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 510
Anchorage, AK 99501
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality Line: 1-800-478-6540

Russian Far East Delegation Observes Democracy in Progress

Khabarovsk Duma Delegation Arrives in Anchorage Wednesday, October 28

For Immediate Release: October 27, 1998

Anchorage -- Government officials from the Russian Far East’s Khabarovsk Duma will visit Anchorage October 28 through November 4 to see for themselves how elections are run in Alaska. This visit represents the Alaska Legislature’s ongoing effort to build cooperative government and business relations with the Russian Far East.

In December 1997, the Khabarovsk Duma successfully held its second democratic election since the fall of the Soviet Union. Rhonda Thompson, the Alaska Legislature’s Special Assistant on International Trade Policy, was invited to observe their election process and provide helpful feedback based on her political experience in Alaska.

"We can tell our neighbors in the Russian Far East what our elections are like," said Thompson, "But until they see our process up close and personal, they cannot truly understand the finer points of running an open democratic election. Our legislators are eager for the opportunity to share their election experience with officials from Alaska’s sister state."

Among a variety of activities, the delegation will visit campaign sites, meet candidates, and discuss election issues with supervisors from the Division of Elections, Alaska Public Offices Commission, and Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. Please see the attached agenda and delegation member information.

Representatives Brian Porter, Joe Green, John Cowdery and Con Bunde along with Senators Drue Pearce and Loren Leman will welcome the delegation tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.

# # #

Media Note: Media representatives are invited to attend any of the activities listed on the attached agenda.

The official welcome and agenda briefing:

When: Wednesday, October 28 at 11 a.m.
Where: 2^nd floor conference room at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office – 716 4^th Avenue.
Contact: Wendy Lindskoog at 258-8184 or Jerry Ritter at 258-8164

Khabarovsk Duma Itinerary
Alaska Agenda

October 28 - November 4, 1998

Contact: Ronda Thompson at 258-8187.

Delegation Members

• Viktor Tserfa, Director, Khabarovsk Krai Duma Election Committee
• Nikolay Tsilyurik, Chairman, Committee on Elderly,Disabled and Youth; Vice Chair of Duma
• Tatiana Tolkacheva, Councellor on International Affairs,
• Khabarovsk Krai Duma (Translator)

Wednesday, October 28, 1998

• 0020 hrs arrive in Anchorage at 1220 clear customs by 0100 hrs
• 0100 hrs Proceed to Copperwhale Inn
• 1100 hrs Welcome and agenda briefing at Legislative offices Set 200. Meet House Majority Leader Rep. Brian Porter, Rep. Joe Green, Rep. John Cowdery, Rep. Con Bundle along with Senator Drue Pearce, Loren Leman and Sen. President Miller (tent.)
• 1230 hrs Lunch with Alaska State Legislators TBA
• 1430 hrs Meeting with Carol Thompson, Elections Supervisor, Division of Elections at offices in Dimond Center, Tel. 522-8683,X231
• 1630 hrs Tour Dimond Center
• 1730 hrs Return to hotel/home
• 1930 hrs Dinner plans - tentative

Thursday, October 29, 1998

• 0930 hrs Pick up at Copperwhale
• 1000 hrs Visit Republican Campaign Headquarters Fireweed Lane
• 1100 hrs Visit with gubernatorial candidates
• 1230 hrs Lunch at Pioneer Home with Rep. Joe Green and Melissa Myers followed by a tour of Pioneer Home facility
• 1430 hrs Return to hotel

Friday, October 30, 1998

• 0900 hrs Kathe Bouche-Roberts meets us at Copperwhale for drive to Providence Hospital for demonstration of telemedicine project as outlined in Khabarovsk proposal. Following will be a tour of Long Term Care Facility on 45th & Cordova.
• 1200 hrs Lunch with health care professionals at Providence
• 1400 hrs
• 1630 hrs Return to hotel/home

Saturday, October 31, 1998

• Site visits and tours as requested.

Sunday, November 1, 1998

• Open day

Monday, November 2, 1998

• 0900 hrs Meeting with Commissioner or Deputy of State Dept. of Health Education & Social Services (Tsilyurik)
• 1000 hrs Meet with Susie Barnett, Professional Assistant on the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics in Speakers Offices
• 1100 hrs Meeting with Director of Alaska Public Offices Commission on rules and regs of election and public officials.
• 1230 hrs Lunch and tour of Anchorage Senior Center
• 1430 hrs Tour of McLaughlin Youth Detention Center, Donis Morris, Superintendent. Providence Dr. Tel. 261-4399
• 1630 hrs Return to hotel/home

Tuesday, November 3, ELECTION DAY

• 1000 hrs Tour polling places around Anchorage area and view last minute campaign activities.
• 1740 hrs Visit Campaign Hospitality Suites in various hotels.
• 1930 hrs Meet at Campaign Central- Egan Center - to view election results.

Wednesday, November 4, 1998

• 1000 hrs Meet with House Speaker and Senate President to review election results and discuss organization of House and Senate.
• 1200 hrs Depart downtown for airport and checkin w/ Aeroflot
• 1350 hrs Depart on Aeroflot flight SU 854