The eighth annual meeting of the international Legislators Forum began with a Steering Committee meeting on Monday afternoon, June 16, 2008, during which the Steering Committee members and staff reviewed the agenda for the annual meeting and discussed updates on
agenda items.

Following that meeting, a reception was held for all delegates, spouses, presenters and sponsors at the North Dakota Heritage Center. 2007-2008 Co-hosts, Senator Tom Fischer and Representative Ole Aarsvold, welcomed all participants, introduced fellow Steering Committee members and thanked meeting sponsors. Senator Fischer
introduced North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, who also welcomed the delegates.

The formal portion of the meeting began on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.  Following self introductions of delegates, each of the working  groups and panels made their presentations and engaged  in a question and answer period with delegates.

Special guests and speakers included
• North Dakota Governor John Hoeven
• Rob Pengally, Canadian Consul in Minneapolis
• Mary Speer, US Consul in Winnipeg
• Senator Bob Stenehjem, Senate Majority Leader in ND
• Representative Merle Boucher, House Minority Leader in ND
• Senator David O’Connell, Senate Minority Leader in ND
• Senator Carolyn Nelson, Chair, Consensus Council Board
• Dale Eberle, BND Senior VP Banking Services, Bank of ND

The meeting concluded with sincere thanks to Tom and Ole and the North Dakota delegation for their hospitality and an invitation from the Manitoba delegation to attend the next annual meeting in Manitoba, Canada.

The delegates to the eighth annual international Legislators Forum gratefully acknowledge the support of the following sponsors:
• The Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis
• Touchstone Energy
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Offi ce in Kansas City
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of ND
• Ottertail Power
• Great River Energy

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