State Representative Joseph Uecker

House District 66

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    Contact: Stephen Clegg

July 12, 2005                                                                                                (614) 466–8134

COLUMBUS––State Representative Joseph Uecker ( R-Miami Township ) was among 37 nationally selected lawmakers who recently graduated from the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).

Picture is of Ohio Senator Kevin Coughlin, Chairman of the Council of State Governments Legislative Conference, presenting the Certificate of Completion of the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development to Ohio State Representative Joe Uecker at the Bowhay Institute in Madison , Wisconsin .

Including Representative Uecker, thirty four State legislators from Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Michigan , Minnesota , Nebraska , North Dakota , Ohio , South Dakota and Wisconsin were chosen to participate during the competitive, nonpartisan selection process. Members of the Ontario , Manitoba and Saskatchewan legislative assemblies were also selected to take part in the program.

Recognized as one of the premier leadership training programs in the nation, the goal of the nonpartisan organization is to assist and advance state government by providing research assistance, professional development opportunities, inter-state consulting services and suggest state legislation.

The program offers a unique opportunity for lawmakers to improve their leadership skills and explore the issues of the day with nationally renowned scholars, professional development experts, and legislative leaders and colleagues from across the region.

In addition to leadership training, such as conflict resolution and negotiation, BILLD provides policy seminars on issues such as education, corrections, land use, economic development and welfare, as well as professional seminars on media relations and priority management.

The BILLD program is conducted by the Council of State Government’s Midwestern Office, in cooperation with The Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  The program takes place each summer on the University’s campus in Madison , Wisconsin .

“This program was by far the most challenging conference I have ever been to. Early morning seminars and late night project conferring make the most of my time while in Wisconsin ” Uecker said. “As a new legislator, I really welcomed the opportunity to hear the views of national experts and get pointers in many areas legislators experience”.