Berkley will work on Democratic platform

Thursday, July 8, 2004 | 11:04 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., will travel to Miami this weekend to help finalize the Democratic Party's platform expected to be approved at the party's convention later this month.

Berkley and her chief of staff, Richard Urey, visited Santa Fe, N.M, and Baton Rouge La., this summer as part of the platform drafting committee.

Urey said the meetings were "fact-finding," with people from all sides of an issue coming to testify and the committee received reams of written comments.

Urey said the final document will not likely name specific issues but should lay out the party's vision for the future of the country.

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Los Angeles Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa head the 186-member Platform Committee. The members will review the latest draft and recommend a proposed national platform for approval at the Democratic National Convention.

The convention starts July 26 in Boston.

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