Sec. Gale met with seven young delegates from Russia who are taking part in a one week program through the Open World Leadership Program sponsored by the Library of Congress.

The delegates had several questions for Sec. Gale about politics and America’s election process.

The delegates are hosted in Nebraska by Friendship Force of Lincoln. They were escorted to the United States by Aleksandr Khilkov (pictured here), country director of the Open World Leadership Center, U.S. Embassy, Moscow.

Sec. Gale made the seven delegates honorary citizens of Nebraska and presented them with pins representing the Secretary of State’s office.

Delegates also presented gifts to Secretary Gale including a pen inscribed in Russian meaning “Moscow Regional Duma”.

Sec. Gale also received an old silver coin dated 1812.

The coin celebrates the Russian victory over Napoleon’s army and was given as a symbol of the victory of peace between Russia and the United States and the hope for long-term cooperation and lasting friendship.

Sec. Gale with the seven delegates from Russia. Sec. Gale is the chief protocol officer for Nebraska.