PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Russian Delegates Observe Election 2004

Washington, D.C. (November 3, 2004) - As part of a nonpartisan, Congressional led effort to unveil and examine the roots of democracy, a delegation of four Russian government public relations professionals are visiting our nation's Capitol to observe the 2004 electoral process.

During this eight-day legislative exchange program, the delegation is scheduled to visit Capitol Advantage's headquarters on November 4, 2004 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. While visiting Capitol Advantage, the delegation will explore the use of the Internet as a communication tool in our electoral process. Capitol Advantage will demonstrate how Capwiz™, its online grassroots tool, can educate voters, recruit supporters and revitalize the public interest in civic engagement.

"Capitol Advantage is real cutting edge technology and we, therefore, felt strongly that the delegates should be given a chance to meet with this company." remarks Marjie Slater-Kaplan from the League of Women Voters of Baltimore and host of this year's delegation. "Capitol Advantage pioneered the concept of online civic engagement and voter education into the marketplace through Capwiz in the late 1990's. They have also significantly improved how not-for-profits, corporations, and the American populace reach legislators and the media. As a whole, Capitol Advantage has helped organizations improve public awareness and the ability for ordinary citizens to impact policy."

Participants of this year's program are:

• Mariya Olegovna Abramova, public and international relations specialist, Tomsk Region Administration.
• Nina Petrovna Bayandina, assistant to the chairperson, Perm Region Legislative Assembly Relations.
• Marina Vladimirovna Plaksina, vice governor's assistant, Leningrad Region Administration.
• Lyudmila Borisovna Ten, assistant director for international relations, "Trud" LLC.

Kseniya Sergeyevna Kornilova, head of Saratov City economy and development, will facilitate, and translate for this year's event.

The visit is part of the Open World Leadership Program (openworld.aed.org), which is being sponsored by the Library of Congress and administered through the Center for International Exchanges, Academy for Educational Development. Since its inception in 1999, the program has hosted more than 7,000 Russian visitors to the United States from all 89 regions of Russia. The program has brought these delegations to more than 900 communities in 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia.

About Capitol Advantage - www.capitoladvantage.com - www.congress.org - www.capwiz.com
Founded in 1986, Capitol Advantage provides grassroots advocacy products and services to more than 1,500 organizations, including some of the nation's largest and most respected portals and media companies as well as trade associations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, educational institutions, and other organizations. Capitol Advantage's Capwiz is the leading online grassroots product.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Berger
Capitol Advantage, LLC
703-289-4670