Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 EUGENE--Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber will deliver the keynote address at the University of Oregon School of Law's annual commencement on Sunday, May 18. The ceremony, honoring 162 graduates and open to the public, will begin at 11 a.m. in the Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, One Eugene Centre. Following the graduation ceremony, a reception will be held at the UO Law Center, 1101 Kincaid St. on campus. The law school's graduating class selected Kitzhaber as this year's commencement speaker. In addition, the ceremony will include an address by Rosslyn Stevens Otsubo, president of the Law Student Bar Association. Also speaking will be Eli D. Morgenstern, who was selected by the third-year student body as the graduating class speaker. Portland attorney and former U.S. Rep. Wendell Wyatt, 79, will receive the 1997 Meritorious Service Award during the ceremony. Wyatt, a native Oregonian, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1964-75. He currently is a partner with the Portland law firm of Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt. Prior to his election as governor in November 1994, Kitzhaber served 15 years in the Oregon Legislature representing Douglas County. He first ran for public office in 1978 and was elected to the House of Representatives. After serving one term in the House, he was elected to the state Senate where he was president from 1985-93. As Senate president, Kitzhaber oversaw the passage of major legislation including the ground-breaking and nationally recognized Oregon Health Plan, which he is credited with authoring, as well as the Oregon Education Act for the 21st Century. Kitzhaber also received recognition for his many contributions in the area of environmental stewardship, including the Oregon Environmental Council's prestigious Neuberger Award. A native of Colfax, Wash., Kitzhaber grew up in Oregon and graduated from South Eugene High School in 1965. He is a 1969 graduate of Dartmouth College and earned his medical degree in 1973 from the University of Oregon Medical School. Kitzhaber practiced emergency medicine in Roseburg for 13 years. Kitzhaber is married to the former Sharon LaCroix of Saskatchewan, Canada. He is an accomplished fly fisherman and enjoys Oregon's wild rivers. -30- #P-4082/Local,OrDailies,PDX,OrLAW