Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton asked the state House and Senate to do more to curb the incidence of breast cancer.

Dalton, 22, is a Wilmington native who won the crown after becoming Miss North Carolina USA at a 2008 pageant in High Point.

Dalton told lawmakers that she intends to devote her year as Miss USA to breast and ovarian cancer advocacy. She told lawmakers that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Dalton urged lawmakers to make mammograms more accessible and covered by insurance for more women. 

"Why not make North Carolina the leader in lowering these statistics," Dalton said.

The Senate presented her with a North Carolina state flag.

"We know you always remember where you came from and we like that about you," said Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton who is no relation to the pageant winner.

Miss USA is coming to the legislature.

House Speaker Joe Hackney announced this afternoon that Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton will visit the legislature on Tuesday.

Dalton — no relation to Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, as far as he's aware — won the crown after becoming Miss North Carolina USA at a 2008 pageant in High Point.

She's not drawn as much attention as a runner-up, Miss California Carrie Prejean, who stated during a question-and-answer session that she opposed same-sex marriage.

Dalton is from Wilmington. 

* Another way she differs from her predecessor: Gov. Beverly Perdue works to win over the Charlotte business crowd.

* The smoking ban is being held up temporarily while the state Senate works to make sure that movie stars could still light up on set.

* A spokesman for Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton says that — to the best of his knowledge — he's not related to the new Miss USA.

* Though Sen. Richard Burr is polling at low levels, consultants argue the die won't be cast until the political environment is clear.