September 18, 2003

Henry, Fallin represent state on world stage with recent trips

Carmel Perez Snyder
The Daily Oklahoman

Other countries have been tapping into one Oklahoma resource lately - its leaders.

Gov. Brad Henry returned Tuesday from a trip to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and spoke at an anti-terrorism forum. In July, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin traveled to Georgia, a former republic of the Soviet Union, to lead "nation-building" workshops.

Fallin, who has reached some "firsts" for women in Oklahoma, tutored women in the fledgling democracy on the craft of campaigning and politics.

"Historically, women have not been allowed to be active in the political process, and democracy is a new concept for the country overall," Fallin said. "I was honored to be asked to participate in this experience."

The International Republican Institute, the group sponsoring the trip, is a private group funded in part by private donations and from federal funds through the National Endowment for Democracy and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Institute spokesman Thayer Scott said the group picked up the more than 2,600 tab for the three-day trip. He said Fallin was not paid a stipend, salary or retainer for her work.

The state paid for security for both Henry and Fallin, although the costs were not available Wednesday.

Fallin said she was so touched by the women's plight that she donated money to their cause. The budding politicians used the money to start a Commission for Women, similar to organizations in Oklahoma and other states.