This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

House Speaker Becky Lockhart and Sen. Curt Bramble will leave Sunday for a trade and diplomatic trip to China sponsored by a national lawmakers group.

Lockhart said she was invited on the trip, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, months ago, along with lawmakers from other states.

Bramble, who is on the executive committee for NCSL, was also invited and plans to make the trip.

Lockhart said the trip will take eight days and the goal will be relationship building and potentially opening up avenues for expanded trade with China.

NCSL is covering the lawmakers' costs. Both Lockhart and Bramble are taking their spouses, and paying that expense themselves.

Robert Gehrke