News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 15, 2003
Contact:  Roger Nyhus, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136 or 360-239-1400 cell
Alt Contact:  Ramona Oliver, Democratic Governors’ Association, 202-772-5610 or 202-374-0002 cell

Washington Gov. Gary Locke to Deliver Democratic Response to President Bush’s State of the Union Address

Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today announced that Democratic Governors’ Association Chair and Washington Gov. Gary Locke will deliver the Democratic response to the President’s State of the Union address to Congress.

In response to the announcement, Locke issued the following statement:

“I am deeply honored to represent my fellow Democratic governors and the national Democratic leadership in presenting the response to the State of the Union. We are pleased and honored that Senator Daschle and Leader Pelosi have recognized the important role that governors play not just as leaders in their states but also as leaders of this country.

“The Democratic governors, with support from the national Democratic leadership, are ideally positioned to help shape national policy. As the chief executives of our states, we work in real time with real dollars to serve the citizens of our country and deal with the issues that are important to them. Issues like education, healthcare and job creation. And as they have in the past, our colleagues in Congress look to governors and their states to help bring innovative and results oriented solutions to the challenges facing our country.

“From the need to grow our economy and create jobs, to protecting and educating our youngest citizens, governors deal day-to-day with critical issues that have an immediate impact on the lives of the American people. We stand at the frontlines of preserving the economic security as well as personal security of our citizens. Given our close proximity to the problems facing the nation, governors can offer a unique perspective based on real-world experiences.

“I am honored to have been chosen to articulate that unique perspective and bring the voice of all our states’ citizens to Washington, D.C.”



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