UNL News Releases 12/4/98




Contact: Karen Underwood
Public Relations
(402) 472-8524

LT. GOV. KIM ROBAK TO ADDRESS DECEMBER GRADUATES

Lincoln (Neb.) - Dec. 5, 1998 - Kim M. Robak, lieutenant governor of the state of Nebraska, will give the address at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln commencement exercises, at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 19 in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Chancellor James Moeser will preside over the ceremony. About 1,350 students will receive degrees.

Robak was elected lieutenant governor in 1994. She was first appointed to the position by Gov. Ben Nelson in October 1993. Previously, she was Nelson's chief of staff from July 1992 to October 1993 and his legal counsel from June 1991 to July 1992.

During her tenure in government, she has provided leadership for state health care reform, budget savings, tax relief and advances in technology. She was instrumental in passing a 10-point legislative package on health care reform that included small group insurance reform, repeal of Nebraska's anti-group statutes and immunizations for children. She played a key role in the Nebraska Partnership for Health and Human Service Project, a governmental reorganization that merged five government agencies into three. She worked with the governor on a tax package that included a reduction in Nebraska's income tax rate, property tax relief and reforms of property tax assessments. Nelson appointed her chair of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, which was established in November 1997. Just five months later, she persuaded the Nebraska Legislature to place the commission into state law.

Robak is a native Nebraskan. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with high distinction in speech and theater arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Teachers College and a juris doctor with highest honors from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln College of Law. She will become the university's vice president for external affairs and corporation secretary in January.

A drop-off area for graduates and mobility restricted guests will be available on the south side of the Devaney Center. Special seating will be reserved for disabled guests attending commencement. Sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired will be in section B-12 on the west side of the concourse level of the arena. A limited number of seats will be reserved for hearing impaired guests. Reserved seats for guests who are ambulatory restricted will be available in the north and south sides of the arena. Guests in wheelchairs will be seated on the northeast corner of the arena floor. Golf carts will be located at the ramps on the exterior north and south sides of the Devaney Center to assist disabled guests entering and leaving the sports center.


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