August 24, 2007

 

 

Press Release for Visit of U.S. Congressional Delegation

Led by Representative Silvestre Reyes

 

            A bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D – Texas), will be visiting the Philippines from August 23 through 25, during the U.S. Congress’ summer recess.  In the Philippines, the delegation will call on senior representatives of the Philippine government, meet with their Philippine Congressional counterparts, lay a wreath at the American Cemetery to commemorate American and Filipinos who died defending freedom in World War II, and travel to Zamboanga to meet with local leadership and visit American soldiers. 

 

            Representative Reyes described the delegation’s visit as “A welcome opportunity for my colleagues and myself to travel to the Philippines to see, first hand, the close cooperation between our two countries on several fronts.  We look forward to meeting with a number of senior officials from the Philippine government, as well as our counterparts in the Philippine Congress.  We hope to learn more about the many strong aspects of the U.S.-Philippines relationship, and to talk about ways that we can make our relations even stronger.  We also plan to travel to Zamboanga, both to meet with U.S. troops currently supporting the Philippine Armed Forces there and to express our thanks for the warm and continuing welcome that we receive from the people of that city and region.  Recent events remind us that our two nations are not just historical allies, but allies in today’s fight against terrorists.”

 

Members of the delegation include:

 

Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D – Texas), in his sixth term, is the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the House Armed Services Committee.  Reyes is also the past Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.  He founded the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus and co-founded the Congressional USO Caucus, as well as served on a variety of other caucuses and coalitions.

 

Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R – New Jersey), in his seventh term, is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel.

 

Rep. Heather Wilson (R – New Mexico), in her fifth term, is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.  She is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force until 1989.

 

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D – New York), in his fifth term, is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on International Relations. He is also a Member of the New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council.

 

Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger (D – Maryland), in his third term, serves on the House Appropriations Committee, as well as on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.  He is currently an Assistant Whip of the House of Representatives.

 

            Please direct further questions about the delegation’s visit to the Press Office of the U.S. Embassy at 526-0357 or 301-2000 Ext. 2363.

 

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