News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 21, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Nelsa Brodie, Washington State Patrol, 360-570-3108; Deanna Nollette, Seattle Police Department, 206-615-1558

Gov. Gary Locke Lauds Law Enforcement Partners for Safe National Governors Association Annual Meeting

Gov. Gary Locke today thanked law enforcement partners including the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for their security efforts for the National Governors Association (NGA) Annual Meeting that was held in Seattle, July 17-19.

Thirty-one governors and approximately 1,100 meeting participants attended the Annual Meeting. Three rallies were planned for Saturday and there were no reports of incidents or arrests.

“I am proud of the Washington State Patrol, the Seattle Police Department and other law enforcement partners that came from all parts of our state, to provide a safe environment for me and my colleagues. We were able to stay focused on our business agenda for the meeting,” Locke said. “It allowed Washington to shine in the national spotlight and left everyone with a positive impression of our state.”

Seattle was chosen to host the NGA Annual Meeting in 2002 and security planning began immediately.

“Our goal was twofold,” explained WSP Chief Lowell M. Porter. “One was to support the governors so they could participate in the conference and be able to concentrate on the issues at hand in a safe and secure environment. The other goal was to provide for them, their families and their staff members an opportunity to enjoy sightseeing and touring spots in the Seattle area safely. I am proud of all the men and women in law enforcement who made that happen.”

Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske added, “I wish to thank all of our law enforcement partners for their dedication, hard work and professionalism throughout the National Governors Association Annual Meeting. Your efforts allowed Seattle and Washington state to shine in the national spotlight.”

The NGA, which first met in 1908, supports the work of the governors by providing a bipartisan forum to help shape and implement national policy and to solve state problems.

The members of NGA are the governors of the 50 states, the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the commonwealths of the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.



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