U.S. Congressional delegation visits the Philippines

A bi-partisan United States Congressional delegation led by House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-Kentucky) and Ranking Member Norman Dicks (D-Washington), visited the Philippines from January 13-15, 2012 to meet with President Aquino, Foreign Secretary Del Rosario and other government representatives.  Pictured from left: Congressman Rodney Alexander of Louisiana, Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho, U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr, Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers of Kentucky, Congressman Norm Dicks of Washington, Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Congressman Steven LaTourette of Ohio, and Congressman Ander Crenshaw of Florida.

All are members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. During their two-day visit to Manila, the delegation met with President Benigno S. Aquino, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, NEDA Director Cayetano Paderanga, Jr., and other senior government officials. The delegation also met with their counterparts from the Philippine House of Representatives.

The delegation's visit to the Philippines was one stop during a trip to several Asia Pacific nations to examine a range of U.S. bilateral cooperation and assistance programs in Asia. While in Manila, the delegation also visited the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial and paid its respects to members of the U.S. armed forces who lost their lives during World War II.