State Sen. Harris Blake is continuing to promote business transactions between North Carolina and Asian nations.

The Pinehurst Republican met Tuesday with state Commerce Secretary J. Keith Crisco and a Japanese visitor who was showing interest in North Carolina.

"I gave him a North Carolina welcome," Blake said.

Blake says he is continuing to promote "our Chinese connection." He was a principal in the Moore County excursion to China two years ago for the dedication of a memorial honoring Lt. Robert Hoyle Upchurch, the High Falls native who died in an air crash in China during World War II. A family in China's Guidong Province buried his body and tended his grave until the remains were disinterred and returned to Moore County for burial in the family plot. The Chinese family's service spanned more than 60 years.

The trip to China reaped a warm friendship with the people in Guidong Province, who have since paid a visit to Moore County to renew acquaintances.

Blake says the Chinese remain interested in North Carolina and Moore County and he is encouraging their investment here, especially during this period of a seriously ailing economy.

GOP MEETING -- The Moore County Republican Party Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. in Courtroom 105 in the Moore County Courts Facility in Carthage.

JULY MEETINGS -- The Moore County Board of Commissioners has scheduled only one regular meeting in July. The regular first-Monday meeting has been canceled because of the Fourth of July holiday conflict. The third Monday meeting will be held as usual at 6 p.m. on July 20. The board will also hold its regular work session on the third Thursday, July 16, at 5 p.m.

The Planning Board will hold its regular meeting at the usual time, Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m.

BOLES -- State Rep. Jamie Boles reports that all 52 Republican members of the House of Representatives voted against the $19.9 billion state budget engineered by the Democratic majority. He says the House budget contains more than $780 million in new taxes and $86 million in new or increased fees.

The budget is now in the hands of a conference committee that is ironing out differences between the budgets adopted by the House and the Senate, along with the governor's budget.

The House budget would extend the sales tax to warranties, installations and repairs, impose new taxes on amusement and movie tickets, impose a tax on courier services, impose a new tax on most small businesses, and raise the sales tax to 7 percent. The budget would create a "super" income tax bracket as high as 8.5 percent, according to Boles.

Fees would be increased or added for such things as marriage licenses, Medicaid providers, food and lodging inspections, and veterinary fees.

COBLE -- Congressman Howard Coble, a longtime Coast Guardsman, has been appointed to the Board of Visitors at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Based in New London, Conn., the Coast Guard Academy is the smallest of the five U.S. service academies.

The Board of Visitors, established in 1937, meets annually with staff, faculty and cadets to determine the academy's future needs, such as facilities improvements and academic trends.

"I am honored that Republican Leader John Boehner has nominated me for appointment to the Board of Visitors," Coble said. "All who know me know that the Coast Guard is near and dear to my heart. I look forward to working closely with Coast Guard Academy officials on their mission of training the leaders of tomorrow."

The 6th District Republican served five and a half years in active duty with the Coast Guard and 22 years with the Coast Guard Reserve. He retired with the rank of captain, and his last assignment was that of commanding officer of the Coast Guard Reserve unit at Wilmington.

The U.S. Coast Guard is the oldest life-saving service in the world. In addition to maintaining maritime safety and security, the Coast Guard provides protection of the nation's natural resources, manages maritime traffic and commerce and contributes to national defense.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.