6/6/00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Wendy Riggle, Girls State Director, (319) 233-1996; beginning June 8, call (319) 222-0432

Vicki Grimes, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

NOTE TO MEDIA EDITORS: The Girls State staff requests that reporters covering events, as well as visitors to any of the activities, check in with a staff member on site. They stress you are most welcome, and that they would appreciate your cooperation.

Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Girls State to begin 55^th year of activities at the University of Northern Iowa on Sunday, June 11

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa— A week of educational political activities is scheduled for the 55th session of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, beginning Sunday, June 11, at the University of Northern Iowa's Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). The session marks the 49^th consecutive year Girls State has met on the UNI campus in Cedar Falls.

More than 300 high school girls from around the state will learn about the workings of Iowa government, including how to file nomination papers, campaign for office and set up party platforms. Speakers during the week will cover activities of city, county and state government officials, and answer questions about their specialized fields.

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is expected to address the delegates and their guests at the week's final event, the inauguration of the Girls State Governor and state officers, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, June 16, in the Great Hall of the GBPAC.

Other speakers during the week will include: Katherine Koob, former United States diplomat, Sunday, June 11; Mary Kramer, Iowa Senate President, and a representative from the Iowa Highway Patrol, Monday, June 12; Kathy Gulick, UNI Health Services director, Wednesday, June 14; and Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver, Thursday, June 15.

Among the 2000 Girls State staff members working with the delegates is (Name) of (Hometown) , serving as (office held) .

During the week, participants will attend party precinct and ward caucuses, elect candidates for mythical city councils and delegates to city and county conventions, and appoint election officials. City council members, mayors, county representatives, senators and state officers also will be elected. The Girls State Governor will be elected Thursday, June 15.

All delegates are assigned to mythical Nationalist and Federalist parties in the state of Hawkeye. There are also four mythical cities: Ladehoff, Hanson, Hinderman and Young, and the mythical counties of Carr and Macrae.

Participants are sponsored by their local American Legion Auxiliaries.

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