(Kenai) - The Council of State Governments-WEST (CSG-WEST), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving Western state legislators in 13 Western states, has selected Representative Kurt Olson (R - House District 33) as a participant for its prestigious training institute for newer state legislators. The purpose of the Western Legislative Academy is to build excellence and effectiveness in state legislators in the Western region.

Admission to the new Western Legislative Academy is highly competitive and is based on commitment to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and interest in improving the legislative process. Thirty-nine state legislators from Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming were chosen as members of the Class of 2005.

The Western Legislative Academy will convene November 15-18 in Colorado Springs, Colorado for three and a half days of intensive training in subjects such as the legislative institution, ethics, team building, communications, legislative strategies and working relationships, negotiations and time management. Faculty will include the Eagleton Institute's Alan Rosenthal, a nationally recognized authority on state legislatures; Washington, D.C. communications expert Arch Lustberg, and a leading U.S. Air force Academy trainer in team building. Experienced Western legislative leaders will discuss legislative strategies and working relationships.

Rep. Olson is serving his first term in the Alaska Legislature. He represents House District 33, encompassing the cities of Kenai and Soldotna, as well as the area south of Soldotna between the Sterling Highway and approximately mile 3 of K-Beach Road. Rep. Olson was pleased to hear of his nomination and acceptance to the Academy. "This will serve to strengthen the many skills required to represent the people of District 33", said Kurt. "Effective representation of my constituents in this area has been and continues to be my top priority."

Funding for the Academy comes from the Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation, which is dedicated to excellence in nonprofit organizations, and from Western state legislatures and corporate sponsors. The El Pomar Foundation also donates the campus for the Western Legislative Academy.

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