Secretary of State Gale Selects Ken Gnadt as Representative for General Assembly of the Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA).

(Lincoln, NE) Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale has appointed former Grand Island Mayor Ken Gnadt as the Nebraska representative for the General Assembly of the Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA).

The objective of the Alliance is to promote peace in the world by establishing closer friendships and understanding between the people of the United States and the 23 million people of Taiwan through cultural exchange, education partnership and economic cooperation.

The State of Nebraska entered into a sister relationship with Taiwan on August 11, 1983, by agreement of former Governor Robert Kerrey and former Governor Lee Teng-hui. Over the years, the relationship has grown substantially through economic cooperation and cultural educational exchanges.

Currently, 42 states of the United States have established individual "sister state" relationships with Taiwan. Until now, however, there has been no cohesive coordination of the sister state activities. The alliance will enhance and strengthen each state’s activities by the formation of a nationwide organization of states that can coordinate and assist on-going programs and can stimulate new initiatives. In so doing, this nationwide Alliance will benefit all states by opening new channels of communication, opportunity and cooperation and improving efficiency for all parties involved.

"I have every confidence that Ken will be an outstanding Nebraska spokesman as a member of the TUSA General Assembly. Taiwan is a vital trade partner of Nebraska, and this program will enhance our state ties," Secretary of State John Gale said.

Gnadt graduated from Kansas State University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Animal Science, and a graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin. His career has stretched from agricultural trade and commerce to local government. During his career, Gnadt spent almost seven years in Taiwan with his family where he saw first-hand the importance of Nebraska’s economic partnership with Taiwan.

Gale said, "It was my goal to select an exceptional Nebraska representative for the General Assembly. Ken Gnadt will fill this role very ably."

-#-