U.S. Government Leaders Experience Israel

The America-Israel Friendship League sponsored a mission to Israel with the assistance of the National Association of Counties allowing county leaders from across the U.S. to visit Israel from November 12 -18, 2006.  Additional assistance and cooperation was provided by the Union of Local Authorities of Israel.  Participants included eleven county commissioners, executives and mayors, along with officials from the National Association of Counties.

Colleen Landkamer, former President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), is now the State Director of the USDA Rural Development in Minnesota. Radio stations and other media outlets in Minnesota had the opportunity to interview Landkamer from IsraCast Recording Studios in Jerusalem about the mission experience.

‘The AIFL is dedicated to building friendship and strengthening the ties between the U.S. and Israel and we are deeply grateful to these county leaders and the National Association of Counties for their interest in and commitment to this mission,’ said William Behrer , the AIFL’s Chief Operating Officer.

The group met with peers from a variety of communities in Israel including mayors from the Tel Aviv area, the Mayor of Jerusalem and members of the Knesset. Holy Sites and historical landmarks such as Masada and the Dead Sea were also part of the experience.

‘I am delighted to have been invited by the American-Israel Friendship League to participate in this years Mission to Israel,’ said the former NACo President and Blue Earth County Commissioner (MN) Colleen Landkamer.

There is so much we can learn as elected officials by interacting with dignitaries abroad. I am particularly interested in how elected officials there work cooperatively with their citizens to enhance economic development and security in their communities. I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to sharing the experience with NACo members.

Standing (from left to right)
1		Mr. Larry Naake Executive Director NACo	2		The Honorable Peter Corroon Mayor Salt Lake County, UT
3		The Honorable Colleen Landkamer NACo President Commisioner Blue Earth County, MN Website	4		Miriam Fierberg Mayor of Netanya
5		Mr. Edwin Rosado Legistlative Director NACo	6		Mr. Bill Kennedy Yellowstone County
7		The Honorable Valerie Brown Second Vice President Supervisor Sonoma County, CA
Sitting (from left to right)
8		The Honorable Norman Mitchell, Sr. Commisioner Mecklenburg County, NC	9		The Honorable Eric Coleman NACo President Elect Commisioner Oakland County, MI
10		The Honorable Sally Heyman Commisioner Miami-Dade County, FL	11		The Honorable Ilene Lieberman Commisioner Broward County, FL

About the AIFL

The America – Israel Friendship League (AIFL) is a non-sectarian, non-political, not-for-profit organization strengthening ties between the people of the United States and Israel ; bridging distances to reveal the beauty, the humanity, and the modern democratic values that define both nations.

About AIFL Missions

The AIFL’s missions to Israel are a vital part of its success in forging closer links between Israel and the United States. Each year, the AIFL sponsors several missions to Israel .  In 2006, this included judges, financial services executives, scholars, and Generation X and Y journalists.  The AIFL also sponsors visits to the U.S. of Israeli students as part of its Citizenship through Sports Exchange and Youth Ambassador Student Exchange programs.