2008; Jul-Aug

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Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor
STATE OF UTAH
Office of the Governor
Salt Lake City, Utah
84114-2220
Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor
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News Release
July 1,2008
Contact: Lisa Roskelley
Governor's Spokeswoman
Office (801) 538-1503 Cell (801) 560-0137
Governor Huntsman Leads Western Governors Association as New Chair
Salt Lake City - Utah Governor Jon Huntsman officially began as Chairman of the Western
Governors' Association (WGA) today at the conclusion of the annual convention in Jackson,
Wyoming. The Governor has been serving as Vice Chair for the past year and was elected to the
position Sunday by his peers.
"We must continue to focus on the issues that not only impact our region, but the globe. As we
consider the issues of the environment and energy that are so critical, we must do so with three
main concerns at the forefront: affordability, energy security and emissions," Governor
Huntsman said.
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"However, there is only so much we can do as a region, we must engage people outside of our
nation's borders io bring an international dimension to the WGA. The challenges we face in the
West cannot be solved without a global approach."
Governor Huntsman replaces Governor Dave Freudenthal as the Chair. The Governor will serve
for a one year period and along with the new Vice Chair of WGA, Governor Brian Schweitzer of
Montana.
The Western Governor's Association serves the Governors of 19 states and three U.S. flag
pacific islands. WGA addresses important policy and governance issues in the West, advances
the role of the Western states in the federal system, and strengthens the social and economic
fabric of the region. The association develops policy and carries out programs in the areas of
natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international
relations and state governance. WGA acts as a center of innovation and promotes shared
development of solutions to regional problems.
The complete annual meeting agenda is available on the Web at www.westgov.org.
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