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Arriving Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Lipponen (2nd from R)
appeared for a downtown Hancock welcoming. Hancock Mayor Jim Martin
introduces the honored guests, which included Klaus Hellberg (R) , a
member of Finland’s Parliament. |
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Mayors Jim Martin (Hancock) and Tom Merz (Houghton) present P/M
Lipponen and Mr. Hellberg with custom made memento boxes. |
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The Hancock Elementary School Finnish Class, under the tutelage of
Maija Stadius (with headband), presents the Prime Minister with a
bouquet. The P/M will visit their class on Friday.
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Prime Minister Lipponen expresses his appreciation for the warm
welcome. The reception was held in front of the Community Arts Center. |
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Events continued on Friday, the main day of the visit, with a press
conference in the morning at Suomi College’s Finnish-American
Center, as the P/M fielded a variety of questions from the media.
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Klaus Hellberg, a member of the Finnish Parliament representing the
Porvoo district (Hancock’s sister city), has been to Hancock
previously. |
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Following the press conference, the P/M taped a segment for WLUC’s
"Finland Calling", with television personality Carl
Pellenpaa. |
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The Prime Minister and party then traveled to the Hancock Elementary
School to visit the second grade Finnish language class. As they
arrive, they are greeted by the Hancock Schools administration.
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Prime Minister Lipponen and Klaus Hellberg (seated front row) are
welcomed by students. |
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P/M Lipponen displays a certificate given him in honor or his visit. |
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