MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has left Honolulu to attend the 2012 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting, being held Feb. 24-27 in Washington, D.C.

Thursday, one day prior to the NGA Winter Meeting, Abercrombie is scheduled to meet U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss Hawaii’s continued commitment in fulfilling its Race to the Top goals.

The agenda for the NGA Winter Meeting includes sessions on Growing State Economies and various committee meetings.

Sunday night, governors will join the President and Mrs. Obama at the White House. On Monday, governors will return to the White House for additional meetings with the President and First Lady, as well as Vice President and Dr. Biden.

Before Monday’s White House meeting, governors will gather in a closing session to discuss NGA policy positions. Throughout, “governors-only” sessions will provide governors the opportunity for dialogue on a variety of issues facing states.

“One of the issues that I will raise is the challenge we face regarding the Compacts of Free Association on the State of Hawaii,” Abercrombie said. “I also want to talk about ways to support the Obama Administration’s efforts to increase travel and tourism.”

Abercrombie serves on the NGA committees of Education, Early Childhood and Workforce, and Homeland Security and Public Safety.

The governor will stop in Los Angeles to meet with film and TV industry representatives before returning Feb. 29 to Honolulu.