01.11.07
Reed, Whitehouse Urge Portugal to Reconsider Potential Closing of Rhode Island Consulate
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jack
Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have asked Portuguese Prime Minister
Jose Socrates to reconsider the potential closing of Portugal’s consulate in
Providence.
The full text of the letter is below.
January 10, 2007
Eng. Jose Socrates Sousa
Primeiro Ministro
Rue de Imprensa a Estrela 4
1200-888 Lisboa
PORTUGAL
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
We write regarding the potential
closing of the Portuguese consulate in Rhode Island.
As United States Senators, we fully
understand the financial pressures which require your decision to cut back on
some foreign consulates. However, we would like to highlight the invaluable
services the Providence consulate provides to the thousands of citizens of
Portuguese descent in New England and how the consulate strengthens the bond
between our two nations.
The Portuguese consulate in
Providence has proved critical in informing residents of the state and the
nation about Portugal’s policies and concerns and its view of U.S. policy. The
consulate offers regular communication with official representatives of the
Portuguese government and enhances the ability of the Portuguese American
citizens of Rhode Island to act together on behalf of these concerns. We and
our staffs, as well as our constituents, have also found it useful to work with
consular officials on a whole range of subjects.
The Portuguese American citizens of
Rhode Island are dedicated, loyal Americans who contribute to our economy, while
they continue to be proud of their Portuguese heritage, which is celebrated so
vibrantly in Rhode Island. They rely on the Consulate for innumerable
services. Many have contacted me to express their great concern about the
potential loss of this valuable resource. While there is consular service in
Boston, it is not necessarily easy for those in my state who are in need of
consular services to travel there. In addition, the Providence Consulate has
proved extremely valuable to my office, including on immigration issues. With
Congress poised to consider potential changes in the U.S. immigration system, we
foresee even more utilization of the consulate in the future. There is no
substitute, even in the day of modern communications, for easy direct personal
access among people who share important official concerns.
We understand this is a difficult
decision that you must make together with your colleagues. However, we hope you
will consider all that the Providence consulate provides to the state of Rhode
Island and a significant Portuguese-American population.
Please feel free to contact us with
any questions you may have, and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jack
Reed Sheldon
Whitehouse
United States
Senator United States
Senator
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