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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
CONTACT: Joe Kafka or Roxy Everson, (605) 773-3212
President Obama Appoints Gov. Mike Rounds to National Council
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has been appointed by President Barack Obama to a newly created Council of Governors.
Gov. Rounds is one of 10 governors to be placed on the Council, which has an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats. Appointments are for two years.
The President issued an executive order Jan. 11 establishing the Council. Members of the Council of Governors will meet from time to time to offer their views, advice and information on synchronization and integration of state and federal military activities in the United States and matters pertaining to the National Guard, homeland defense and civil support activities.
“I would like to thank President Obama for allowing me this opportunity to serve on the Council of Governors,” Gov. Rounds said. “Every governor, acting as commander and chief of their own National Guard, has an interest in coordinating and improving these state and federal resources.”
Other members of the Council include: Govs. Jan Brewer, Arizona; Jim Douglas, Vermont; Luis Fortuno, Puerto Rico; Chris Gregoire, Washington; Brad Henry, Oklahoma; Robert McDonnell, Virginia; Jeremiah Nixon, Missouri; Martin O’Malley, Maryland; Bev Perdue, North Carolina.
“I am pleased that these Governors of exceptional experience have agreed to join the Council of Governors,” President Obama said. “This bipartisan team strengthens the partnership between our state governments and the federal government when it comes to ensuring our national preparedness and homeland defense. I look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”
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