<html><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><META name="Author" content="Novell GroupWise WebAccess"></head><body style='font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; '>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Author" content="Novell GroupWise WebAccess"><br>OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT<br><br> NEWS RELEASE December 19, 2013<br><br>MEDIA CONTACT:<br>Kuri Gill<br>503-986-0685<br>Kuri.Gill@state.or.us<br><br>La Grande resident appointed to state historic cemeteries commission<br> <br>Oregon
Parks and Recreation Department Director Tim Wood has appointed Ernest
K. Batey of La Grande to the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries.
Batey is a visiting assistant professor in the Anthropology/Sociology
Department at the Eastern Oregon University. <br> <br>“The commission is
pleased to welcome Mr. Batey who brings academic interest and knowledge
in cultural landscapes and mortuary practices,”said program coordinator
Kuri Gill. “In addition, we are thrilled to have a commissioner in the
northeast part of the state.”<br> <br>The seven-member Oregon Commission
on Historic Cemeteries supports OPRD historic cemetery preservation
efforts by offering training,educational resources, coordination and
grants. Its other members are Diane Elder of Paisley, Lurene John of
Lebanon, Robert Keeler of Portland, Mike Leamyof Astoria, Dirk Siedlecki
of Jacksonville, and Eirik Thorsgard of Grand Ronde.<br> <br>For more
information about the commission and the historic cemeteries program
visit www.oregonheritage.orgor contact historic cemeteries program
coordinator Kuri Gill at Kuri.Gill@state.or.us or (503)986-0685.<br/><div style='clear: both;'></div><br/></body></html>