public affairs ACTIVITIES 2010
AUGUST 2010
For the love of the game: U.S. and Spain are further united by a shared passion
for basketball
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Ambassador Solomont with USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski |
In the lead up 2010 FIBA World Championship, which will be played August 28-September
12 in Turkey, the U.S. Men’s National Basketball Team traveled to Madrid for
friendly exhibition games versus the Spanish and Lithuanian national teams.
Ambassador Alan D. Solomont, an avid basketball fan, attended a practice and
cheered the team to a tough 77-61 victory over Lithuania on August 21. The next
night, Team USA faced defending world champion Spain. Playing in a raucous
stadium filled to its 11,000 capacity, with fans Prince Felipe and Real Madrid
soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo in the stands, Team USA fended off a stunning
second half attack to barely edge out host Spain 86-85. As exemplified by our
mutual passion for the game of basketball and the value of sportsmanship
demonstrated by the players on both teams, Spain and the United States enjoy a
close relationship that ranges from our shared objectives on humanitarian
assistance and global security to educational exchanges and sports competition.
JULY 2010
Ambassador talks economics with English-speaking correspondents
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Ambassador Solomont talks with a correspondent |
Ambassador Solomont invited English-speaking correspondents to an
information-sharing breakfast on Spain’s financial situation on July 20. By
encouraging the participants to share their perspectives, the Ambassador
fostered a productive and engaging discussion of the steps already taken and
those measures still to come.
Former U.S. President Carter Visits Spain
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Former president Jimmy Carter |
On Thursday, July 8, 2010, Ambassador Solomont and his wife, Susan, hosted
former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States,
and his wife, former First Lady, Rosalynn Smith Carter, at their residence at
the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. President Carter and his wife’s visit to Spain is
part of a multi-country tour on behalf of their work for the Carter Center.
President Carter and his wife addressed Embassy Officers and staff to discuss
the type of work the Carter Center is currently focusing on.
The Carter Center was founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1982. Based in
Atlanta, GA, and in partnership with Emory University, the Carter Center is
guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human
suffering; having worked in over 70 countries, it seeks to prevent and resolve
conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.
Spanish NBA star encourages young local student athletes
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Marc Gasol at US Embassy in Madrid |
On July 2, Ambassador and Mrs. Solomont opened their residence to Memphis
Grizzlies star Marc Gasol and 120 local high school basketball players who
participate in the Asociación de Baloncesto Colegial (ABC), sponsored by the
U.S. Embassy. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Solomont recognized that sports
are a wonderful way to learn the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and
working hard to meet our goals. Gasol talked to the student athletes about his
own experience in the NBA and highlighted the important role sports play in
American culture.
Interview on Youtube
http://www.baloncestocolegial.com/
JUNE 2010
Remarks by
U.S. Ambassador Alan D. Solomont at Independence Day Celebration at the
Embassy of the United States in Madrid, June 30, 2010
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Ambassador Solomont delivering his remarks during the Independence Day
Celebration party |
..."As President Obama has said: “We were founded upon the ideal that all
are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to
give meaning to those words.” America has come a long way, and indeed, it is
an example and a beacon to the rest of the world. Yet America also realizes
there is much left to do. We are, and always will be, a work in progress"
(more)
Telemadrid video
Message from the President
Message by Secretary Clinton
Embassy Madrid recognizes two Spanish NGOs
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Ambassador Solomont with embassy's employees |
On June 25, Ambassador Solomont presented checks for 3000 Euros each to two
Spanish organizations dedicated to assisting victims of sexual aggression and
domestic violence and aiding people in emergency situations, C.A.V.A.S and SAMUR
SOCIAL. The funds were donated by the American Employee Association of Embassy
Madrid as part of its commitment to Spanish society.
Ambassador Solomont makes first official visit to Cordoba
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Ambassador Solomont |
On June 24th, Ambassador Solomont and his wife, Susan,
traveled to Cordoba to enjoy the sites and the jamón. He visited the city’s
magnificent Great Mosque as well as COVAP, a cooperative of 10,000 farmers in
Cordoba which produces milk, cheese, Iberian ham, meats, and “prepared plates.”
The Ambassador received a tour of the factories where the curing process takes
place as well as the farmland where the pigs are raised. COVAP has now received
legal rights to begin exporting the famous Iberian ham to the United States,
opening the door not only for these delicious meats but also for Spain’s culture
and gastronomy to be brought to America.
BBQ at Ambassador's residence for the Spanish Fulbright 2010 – 2011 grantees
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Ambassador Solomont |
On Wednesday, June 23, 2010, Ambassador Solomont and his
wife, Susan, hosted a BBQ at their residence for the Spanish Fulbright 2010 –
2011 grantees. Also in attendance to congratulate the new grantees, before
leaving for their studies in the U.S., were the Executive Director of the U.S. –
Spain Fulbright Commission, U.S. and Spanish Board Members of the bi-national
Fulbright Commission, a member of the Andorran Fulbright Joint Committee and of
the Instituto Internacional, as well as the Cultural Affairs Officer and other
Embassy officers and staff. In total, 59 grants were awarded across a range of
disciplines from Finance to Linguistics; 34 U.S. Universities in 15 different
states will host the Spanish and Andorran Fulbrighters.
Ambassador Solomont visits Solar Decathlon Europe exhibit
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Ambassador Solomont with Virginia Tech team |
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon has arrived
in Spain and what better way to gain encouragement than to see a friendly face
from the U.S. with Ambassador Alan Solomont visiting the competition on
Wednesday, June 23, 2010! The University of Florida and Virginia Tech were among
the seventeen collegiate teams from all over the world to come to Madrid, Spain
to compete in the Decathlon. Setting up shop at the Villa Solar near the Royal
Palace, teams diligently began working on a solar house that was
“cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive.”
Solomont arrived at the Decathlon with a warm welcome from the Decathlon and
Spanish press as they handed him goodie bags and information on the competition.
His personalized tour began at the University of Florida’s house, where students
informed the Ambassador of the materials, time, and manpower it took to build
the house. After a quick group picture, Solomont followed the path to the next
house, the Universidad de Sevilla team. The Ambassador spent a few moments
getting to know the Spanish team while learning of how their design utilizes
energy-efficiency.
Under a scorching hot sun, the Ambassador and his entourage quickly moved onto
the next house, the Virginia Tech team. One of the competition’s favorites, the
team demonstrated how innovative their design was with the many gadgets that
made it a dream come true for the technological-savvy person. Have you ever
wanted to change the color of your house but couldn’t because painting is too
time-consuming? Well, Virginia Tech has come up with a way for you to change the
color of your house through the use of an iPod.
After Virginia Tech, the Ambassador moved on to the second Spanish house from
the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera of Valencia. This was followed by his last
stop to Team Tongji University’s house, charmingly referred to as the Bamboo
House. With lots of information on the importance of finding energy-efficient
ways to live in the future, the Ambassador ended his tour with a thank you to
the organization and the teams. The Embassy would like to send forth
congratulations to Virginia Tech on their victory at the Decathlon – job well
done, VT!
Pictures and a report on Ambassador Solomont’s tour, visit:
http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/?p=349
Ambassador Solomont makes first official visit to Basque
Country
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Ambassador Solomont and wife, Susan, visited the Painted
City Mural Poject in Vitoria |
On June 15, Public Affairs Officer Tom Genton visited
Public Primary School Number 9 in Alzira, Valencia. This school, which does 80%
of its teaching in English, 10% in Valencian, and 10% in Spanish, had one of the
seven Fulbright English teaching assistants assigned to the Community of
Valencia for the 2009-2010 academic year. The Fulbright program promotes mutual
understanding and U.S. culture through education and exchange, and the English
teaching assistants’ presence in the public schools also represents the
Valencian government’s commitment to preparing youth for the future by
developing their English-language abilities.
During his trip, Officer Genton also met with students,
teachers, and officials such as Elena Bastidas, Mayor of Alzira, Alejandro Font
de Mora Turón, Counselor of Education, Concepción Gomez Ocaña, Education
Secretary, Virginia Jimenez, Territorial Director of Valencia, and Shelley
Buckwalker, Sub -director of the Fulbright Commission.
Guns and Butter's Performance in Madrid
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Country singers Jack and Judy Jamison at CEIP San Andres School |
On June 8th country singers Jack and Judy Jamison of
Washington, D.C., also known as Guns and Butter, performed for the 6th grade
class at CEIP San Andres School. The country singing, Texas line dancing-duo is
known for bringing American culture to schools and other venues in Madrid for
over 30 years. They began the afternoon with the famous sing-along, “This Land
is Your Land” and finished by teaching both the students and teachers two
line-dances accompanied by the Chuck Berry song “School Days,” which was a huge
hit with all participants. The students and teachers were out of their seats,
learning some new words in English along with some new dance steps!
Ambassador Solomont celebrates World Environment Day
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Ambassador Solomont
Ambassador Solomont helps in releasing a rehabilitated bird, a "Nightjar", back into the wild, June 4, 2010 |
Ambassador
Solomont celebrated World Environment Day with Madrid Deputy-Mayor Manuel
Cobo and second Deputy-Mayor/Environment section head Ana Botella on Friday
June 4. After visiting a butterfly and insect center, the group joined
members of the international environmental NGO Sociedad Española de
Ornitolgía in banding and releasing rehabilitated birds back into the wild.
In his remarks the Ambassador noted that World Environment Day commemorates
the day in 1972 when the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
started, and that this year World Environment Day recognizes biodiversity.
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