By Jonathan D. Salant
Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001; 8:55 a.m. EST

WASHINGTON –– Corporations with interests before the federal government are spending tens of thousands of dollars to help Washington-based state social groups celebrate George W. Bush's inauguration.

At the Illinois State Society's reception, United Airline, based in Elk Grove Village, Ill., is sponsoring a Hall of Illinois Heroes exhibit that honors prominent Illinoisans.

Verizon Communications is contributing to a black-tie bash thrown by the Texas society that will feature a 2,500 pound Brahmin bull, 7,000 pounds of beef brisket and 1,200 pounds of peach cobbler.

Lockheed Martin is helping to cover the cost of the California society's inaugural luncheon, complete with a fashion show courtesy of the a Los Angeles area fashion institute.

These galas are in addition to the official balls sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. President-elect Bush takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.

The state societies exist so expatriates can get a taste of the places they left behind when they moved to the nation's capital. Members include federal lawmakers who will be voting on the issues affecting the societies' sponsors.

Rick Meyers, co-chairman of the Texas Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball said the donations are nothing more than an effort to help a bipartisan organization pay for its events.

"It's mission is solely to promote fellowship among Texans who live and work in Washington," said Meyers, a lobbyist who has represented Nokia, the American Beekeeping Federation and the city of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Officials of watchdog groups see it differently.

"Some of the most powerful corporations in America are sponsoring these events to 'celebrate' the new president," said Charles Lewis, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity.

"Do you think they tell their shareholders that they're deeply worried about these nonprofits? They're trying to get close to people in power. They can do it by writing a check. They know it and everyone in Washington knows it," Lewis said.

The Texas gala on Jan. 19, a sellout with more than 9,000 tickets, lists 48 corporate sponsors.

Among them are the American Association of Health Plans, the trade group for managed care companies that is fighting congressional efforts to impose new regulations on health plans, and Brown & Williamson Tobacco, which opposes Food and Drug Administration efforts to regulate nicotine.

"To do an event of this magnitude, you have to receive contributions," said Texas ball spokesman Jim Wilkinson. "We couldn't be more grateful to our sponsors for helping to make this event possible in the best spirit of bipartisanship."

Verizon, formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, is another sponsor. The company wants to carry data over long-distance lines. Verizon gave $3 million to the Republican National Convention host committee last summer and $2.7 million to congressional candidates and the political parties for the 2000 elections.

Company spokeswoman Susan Cavender Butta said Verizon made the donation to help the nonprofit group fund its events over the next four years. "It is a contribution to the Texas State Society," Butta said.

The Illinois State Society offered different levels of sponsorship for its Jan. 19 inaugural gala, from $1,000 to $20,000. United Airlines, awaiting federal approval to merge with US Airways, paid $15,000 for its sponsorship, which includes tickets to a VIP reception and recognition in the program.

California's inaugural luncheon on Jan. 18 offers a fashion show from the Los Angeles area's Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, is being sponsored by the same corporations that regularly play host to the state society's activities.

Lockheed Martin, a defense contractor, is a $5,000 supporter. Microsoft, being sued by the federal government on antitrust grounds, is a $2,500 sponsor. "Most of them have an association with California," said Marlene Colucci, the society's vice president of corporate relations.

Donors to the Wyoming State Society, which plans its own inaugural ball Jan. 19 in honor of native son Dick Cheney, the vice president-elect, include the National Rifle Association, Anheuser Busch and the American Trucking Associations.

"These are investments like every other investment that these interest groups make," said Larry Makinson, a senior fellow at the Center for Responsive Politics. "Money helps cement a relationship. "It gives people a warm and fuzzy feeling. It's not just writing checks and sending them off to pay for the ads. There's a whole dance that goes along with it, and here is the dance."

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On the Net:

National Conference of State Societies: http://www.statesocieties.org

Texas Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball: http://www.texasstatesociety.org/bbtb.htm

Illinois State Society: http://www.illinoisstatesociety.org

California State Society: http://www.cssdc.org

Center for Public Integrity: http://www.publicintegrity.org