Speeches

Governor Gary Locke’s Remarks
Consular Association of Washington Reception
June 16, 2003


Good evening.

I am honored to be here.

I want to thank the Association President, Ronald Masnik for this opportunity to join you tonight.

And I want to thank Ralph Munro and the World Affairs Council for sponsoring this event.

I also want to congratulate Roger Simmons, Consul General of Canada and Dean of the Consular Corps, for being honored tonight.

We are all very grateful for your many achievements in promoting international relations in our state.

And congratulations to this evening’s award winners in the World Citizen Essay Contest.

The Consular Association of Washington represents more than 35 countries.

The Association’s consuls and trade officials help keep Washington connected with the world.

This Association has always been especially helpful and supportive of our trade missions.

On behalf of the people of Washington, thank you.

Good international relationships and strong trade are vitally important to our state.

Our exports totaled $35 billion last year.

One out of every three jobs here is trade related.

We are now the fourth largest exporter in the United States.

The only states ranked ahead of us are Texas, California and New York.

And when we start rolling out 7E7 Dreamliners in the years ahead, we may be moving up!

We count on our global connections to spur economic growth.

This group is instrumental in keeping those connections strong.

I also want to thank the consuls for their investments of time and money in our state’s flagship schools.

Consul General Simmons has made significant investments in our universities.

The Korean community has strongly supported the Jackson School’s Korean Studies program.

The World Affairs Council has done outstanding work with K-12 teachers and students.

And the Japanese government has done an excellent job of promoting the teaching of the Japanese language in our high schools.

Together, we are teaching our kids that there is a vast world beyond our borders.

Together, we are teaching them to take pride in our state’s international heritage and connections.

And together, we are helping to prepare the workforce of tomorrow for an increasingly global economy.

Thanks again to all of you, and keep up the good work!





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