Oregon Watchdog: Atkinson leads delegation to Iraq

Senator Jason A. Atkinson
Oregon State Capitol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Gay, 503-986-1950

Atkinson leads delegation to Iraq

SALEM – Senator Jason A. Atkinson (R-Central Point) will lead a delegation of top US political and business leaders to Iraq May 2-May 13. Atkinson is creating the first political and business exchange program between the United States and Kurdistan, in Northern Iraq.

Atkinson has worked with the Kurds since 2005, and this exchange program is designed to build relationships between key leaders, allow American leaders to see Iraqi democracy in action, and open up opportunities for Oregon and Kurdistan business to work together.

Joining Atkinson will be Former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and rumored McCain running mate Michael Steele, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, and from Oregon Tim Bernasek, leading agriculture attorney, Rick Miller, CEO of Avermere Health Services, and Jeff Kohnstamm, President of Timberline Lodge and an Oregon Tourism Commissioner.

In 2005 Atkinson passed the first sister state relationship between Oregon and Kurdistan.

“With Oregon’s expertise in forestry and agriculture, it is my goal our state will play the key role in helping reforest and restore agriculture in Iraq,” said Atkinson. “During Saddam’s genocide of the Kurds, no only did he destroy 12,000 villages, but he poisoned wells, poisoned soils, and burned forests. My friends in Oregon forestry and agriculture can help the people of Kurdistan replant and grow back to economic prosperity.”

Senator Jason Atkinson has served in the Oregon Legislature since 1999, was a candidate for Governor in 2006, and is the author of What We All Wish Politicians Understood.
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