Gov. Gregoire accepts award from United States- Mexico chamber of commerce

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2008

Gregoire recognizes important relationship with Mexico to Washington�s export market

SEATTLE � At the annual �Viva Mexico� gala Saturday night, the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce presented Gov. Gregoire with the Good Neighbor Award. The award honors public and private sector leaders for their vision and commitment to building strong commercial relations between Mexico and the United States.

�Mexico is one of our top trading partners, and trade improves the lives of working families on both sides of the border,� Gregoire said during the celebration. �That�s why I went to Mexico last July to promote trade for everything from cherries to dairy products to machinery, and why I welcome our growing Latino-American presence.�

During her latest trade mission to Mexico, Gregoire helped expand sales of Darigold dairy products to the country. She helped a Spokane maker of packaging machinery increase its exports to Mexico, as well. Gregoire helped partner Aeromexico with Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. As a result, Aeromexico is now featuring wines by Chateau St. Michelle on its direct flights between Seattle and Mexico City. The governor also met with Mexico President Felipe Calderon to discuss tariff issues, trade barriers and immigration laws.

�When it comes to relationships between Mexico and Washington, we need to build bridges, not walls,� the governor said. �As Governor, I�m all about building bridges.�

The governor is committed to developing further personal relationships with international leaders, hoping to build more exports and jobs for Washingtonians. Gregoire�s trade missions fall within her Next Washington plan, which aims to remove barriers for businesses, and keep Washington a global competitor.

The governor was initially presented the Good Neighbor Award last May at a banquet in Washington D.C. Her daughter and D.C. representative accepted the award on the governor�s behalf.

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