Ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
AMBASSADOR REMARKS AT CEREMONY HONORING NORMA GONZALEZ AND MARIA DEL CARMEN GALLONI
July 4, 2008
Ladies and gentleman:
Thank you for joining my colleagues and me to celebrate the 232th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.
Most all of you know much about the United States. You know that July 4 is very special day for Americans. We celebrate with family and friends. We have barbeques. We watch fireworks. And, a good number of us take some time to think about that day in 1776, when 60-odd people gathered in Philadelphia decided to put their lives on the line by declaring independence from the British Empire. July 4 is the symbolic start of the long and difficult process of building our democracy and nation. And perfecting our democracy remains a work in progress, as we are reminded every four years.
For those of us overseas, July 4 is an opportunity to celebrate what is best about the US experience, and to highlight our desire for cooperation and mutual understanding with others. It is a good time to remember that the international impact of the US goes far beyond government-to-government relations. It is about individuals working with others to create opportunity and understanding, about companies embodying the best of the US in their practices in other societies; it is about building bridges between cultures for common good. These are all things that the private sector and civil society groups often do far better than governments can.
Recognizing this truth, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the support that all of the companies represented here tonight have given to this July 4 celebration. Without your contributions, this evening would have been much less elegant and bountiful. Of course, your generous support for this event is just a modest reflection of the important contributions you make every day to build mutual understanding between Argentina and the US. By embodying best practices in corporate behavior, in human resources policies, and in corporate social responsibility, for example, you are teaching Argentines some of the best things about the United Sttes.
Since my arrival over a year-and-a-half ago, I've had the pleasure of visiting many of your companies and learning first-hand about your business activities. I have also had the opportunity to witness your Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives first-hand. So I know how your companies enrich your communities -- by engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility projects, by providing great jobs, by building business relationships with local suppliers, and by offering consumers great products.
That's why US companies are Ambassadors for the United States in very important ways. You can and do make many important contributions for good. Thank you for all you do, and thank you for your partnership. We will also do our very best to support you.
On this special day for us Americans, I would also like to honor two individuals who have worked very hard to build bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between our two democracies. These two women have in their own way made major contributions to bringing Argentina and the United States closer together.
Recognition of Norma Gonzalez
The first honoree is Norma Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission. Norma, could you join me at the podium?
Norma leads the flagship academic exchange program linking Argentina and the United States. We are pleased that Norma’s husband Mario Bruno, her mother Norma Centeno, and her nephew Francisco Berardo are also with us here today.
Under Norma’s inspired leadership, the Fulbright Commission has brought to Argentina and sent to the U.S. talented teachers, students, and researchers, who have remained true to the goals of Senator Fulbright by creating new opportunities for dialogue and cultural exchange. These people-to-people exchanges bring our countries closer together.
Norma is more than a talented administrator. She is a leader, a mentor, and a source of wise counsel both for the Fulbright Board as well as for the program’s grantees and the innumerable visitors from the United States who seek her out to guide them as they integrate into Argentina and its educational system.
As the U.S.–Argentine Fulbright Commission Director, Norma has been a friend and diplomat for us all – serving the best interests of Argentina as well as the United States. The US and Argentina could have no more tireless, creative, or eloquent advocate for bilateral cooperation and exchange than Norma Gonzalez.
Norma, today we thank you. I'd like to present to you this certificate that recognizes your accomplishments. The certificate reads: For inspired leadership of the Fulbright Commission in fostering mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the Republic of Argentina.
Reconocimiento a Maria del Carmen Galloni
Ahora quisiera invitar a la señora María del Carmen Galloni a acompañarme en el podio. Voy a hablar en castellano porque quiero estar seguro que ella comprenda todos mis palabras.
María del Carmen está formando a la nueva generación de un modo positivo y constructivo. Esta noche la acompaña su esposo Leonardo Simona, su hija María del Carmen, y sus hijos Guillermo, Arturo, y Leonardo.
Maria es física y ha demostrado acabadamente su capacidad intelectual dentro de la comunidad científica argentina. Pero, en primer lugar y principalmente, María es una maestra que comparte sus vastos conocimientos con los estudiantes como Directora del Instituto de Estudios e Investigaciones Ambientales de la Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales y como Coordinadora Regional del Programa GLOBE.
GLOBE (que significa Aprendizaje Global y Observaciones en Beneficio del Medio Ambiente) es un programa mundial sobre ciencia y educación destinado a alumnos de nivel primario y secundario. GLOBE apoya a estudiantes, maestros y científicos que colaboran con investigaciones sobre la Tierra y el medio ambiente. El programa trabaja conjuntamente con la Administración Nacional de Aeronáutica y del Espacio (más conocida como la NASA) y la Fundación Nacional de la Ciencia, del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos.
Gracias a la labor desarrollada con escuelas y científicos de los Estados Unidos y del mundo, los estudiantes de GLOBE desarrollan sus habilidades intelectuales y su comprensión del medio ambiente, tema crítico tanto para los argentinos como para los estadounidenses. Como Coordinadora de GLOBE, María del Carmen ha trabajado junto con la embajada para promover el desarrollo educativo de muchos jóvenes en más de 100 escuelas primarias y secundarias de la Argentina que forman parte del programa GLOBE.
María del Carmen ha hecho un trabajo tan formidable en Argentina que ha sido designada Coordinadora para toda América Latina y el Caribe. Su energía y entusiasmo tienen ahora un efecto muy positivo en los jóvenes de todo el continente.
Por eso hoy queremos reconocerla por su extraordinario esfuerzo en la educación de los jóvenes para promover la comprensión del medio ambiente y la cooperación entre los pueblos de la Argentina y los Estados Unidos.
Felicitaciones María del Carmen! Acepte este certificado en honor a sus logros. Dice así: En reconocimiento a su valiosa contribución a la educación de los jóvenes argentinos y a la promoción de un mayor entendimiento y cooperación entre América Latina y Estados Unidos.
Conclusion
Thank you all for your important contributions. While we have planned this celebration to honor our nation's independence and friendship with Argentina, this is also a party, and so I hope that this is an evening that you will enjoy and remember. This year, we have arranged for you to hear a range of music, from a Jazz Quintet downstairs and a pianist playing American songs in the ballroom, to a singer from the Colon Theater who will perform both of our National Anthems. However, I would ask that you resist your urge to dance until our Rock DJ begins later in the evening in the tent!
Thanks again for your support. Enjoy the evening's festivities.