June 4, 2008

REPRESENTATIVE RYAN SELECTED AS 2008 TOLL FELLOW

State Rep. Kevin Ryan was one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the nation recently selected for the Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments (CSG), September 27 – October 2, 2008.

The annual week-long seminar, named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded CSG in 1933, seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from all three branches of state government. This fall the program, held in Lexington, Ky., will focus on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, as well as leadership and institutional changes.

Representative Ryan was nominated by the head of the state Office of Healthcare Advocacy Kevin Lembo, with endorsements from Speaker of the House James A. Amann (D-Milford) and House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). This year's applicant pool included state leaders from all three branches and represented 37 states and two US territories. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, US Senators and members of Congress, as well as leaders in state government.

The Council of State Governments is the premier multibranch organization forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. The group alerts state elected and appointed officials to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness.

For more information about the Henry Toll Fellowship Program, please contact Krista Rinehart at (859) 244-8249.

Representative Kevin Ryan is currently serving his 8th term and represents the 139th Assembly District of Bozrah, Franklin, Lebanon and Montville. He serves as the Chairman of the Labor Committee and is a member of Appropriations and Public Health as well.