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Spanish Knighthood Medal Ceremony Acceptance of the
Royal American Order of
Isabella the Catholic from Spain Muchisimo Gracias Sr. Consul General Romani. First let me ask that you share our heartfelt condolences with the ambassador for his loss. Governor Gregoire, I am most grateful for your kind words and the fact that you made a significant change in your schedule to be with us today. I also wish to express my sincere appreciation for your support and willingness to partner with me and my staff on many things, but today in particular issues of international significance. Honorary Consul Don Luis I know that you were the key advocate and energy behind this recognition, this decoracion, and I am greatly moved by your thoughtfulness and feel fortunate that you have such a close and important relationship with King Juan Carlos. All of you should know that the many things described to you today that Dr. Sanchez and I worked on were the dreams of Don Luis. His incredible love for his country and desire to share its opportunities, its culture, and rich history are inspiring. Today teachers from Washington State are teaching in Spain and teachers from Spain are teaching here, sharing, learning and living new and exciting experiences. Don Luis lights up like a flood light when he tells of the increased number that will go to Spain next year or when he has a new dream to benefit the people of Washington State through the generosity of his nation. Don Luis on behalf of me and the thousands of Washingtonians that you have helped, benefited and enriched, thank you. I am totally overwhelmed by the presence of so many friends, colleagues and family members. It is to say the least that I am touched and moved by your attendance. More importantly you have really impressed my Mother who came back from Arizona to be with us. Mom, please stand so they can see you. Next to her is of course my wife Linda. Ever since I started working with the Honorary Consul he has had a side kick, like Don Quixote’s Sancho. Close, only this one is Sanchez, my lead staff person on international relations, Dr. Antonio Sanchez. My recognition is Antonio’s recognition for his fire and enthusiasm for international affairs, his knowledge of Spain and Spanish and Hispanic history and culture are what inspired and encouraged me to be a part of these wonderful experiences and opportunities. I can say proudly and unequivocally that Antonio and all of my staff are committed to developing strong relations with our international visitors and showing them respect whether they are business people, college students, political leaders or just here to enjoy all the evergreen State has to offer. I can also say with confidence when international visitors leave our office, my excellent staff will see to it that they leave with a good feeling about the people of our great state. We all have the opportunity to make a little impact on international relations, create better understanding of each other and maybe even move us a millimeter closer to world peace just by simply respecting and showing friendship to those we call foreigners. There are critics of world trade and foreign relations, they fear it and see it as a threat. In the great literary masterpiece from Spain “Don Quixote: Man of La Mancha”, Don Quixote says, “Look there friend Sancho, and behold thirty or forty outrageous giants, with whom, I intend to engage in battle and put every soul of them to death so that we may begin to enrich ourselves with their spoils; for it is a meritorious warfare and serviceable both to God and man, to extricate such a wicked race from the face of the earth.” A page or two later Sancho says to Don Quixote, “Did I not assure you that they were no other than windmills? Indeed no body could mistake them for anything else, but one who has windmills in his own head.” Some see international or global economics as “outrageous giants” that need to be put to death. We see it is as “windmills” as opportunity. The challenge for us is to see how we can take advantage of the opportunities, help other countries prosper and still maintain the incredible way of life in America that the rest of the world is trying to emulate with all they’ve got. I see this wonderful and meaningful decoracion “The Royal Order of Isabel la Catolica” as an acknowledgement or endorsement of the work of not just me, but of my office towards developing the strongest positive relations, showing the highest level of respect and creating the most meaningful friendships with the people of the world. Finally to King Juan Carlos, Su Excelencia, me honra como nunca he sido honrado. Honra a mi madre por inculcarme la misericordia hacia mi prójimo, honra a mi esposa, Linda, al ser mi socia en alcanzar todo lo que he alcanzado, y honra al estado de Washington por apoyarme y darme la oportunidad de representarlos en mis esfuerzos con España y el mundo. No tengo palabras para expresarme solo resta decir gracias - mil gracias. Your Excellency, you honor me as I have never been honored before. You honor my mother for instilling the sense of goodness towards others, you honor my wife Linda for being a partner in accomplishing all that I have accomplished and you honor the people of the state of Washington for supporting me and giving me the opportunity to represent them in my efforts with Spain and the world. I have not the words to express myself but to say mil gracias. |
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