Speeches

American Community Welcome Back
Remarks by Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold
August 20, 2007

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to say a few words to this terrific crowd here this evening.

For those of you who are returning to Singapore after a summer away, welcome back.  For those who are new to Singapore, welcome.  I think you’ll find that Singapore is a wonderful place to be.  Yes, it’s all of the things that people say about it – it’s clean, efficient, and convenient.  But one of the best things about living in Singapore is the cohesiveness of its American community.  The organizations represented here tonight provide strong support for all aspects of our expat community's lives, from business dealings to social activities.

Our American Chamber of Commerce here in Singapore, led by Chairman Doug Miller, is a first-rate organization.  AmCham represents a strong commitment to corporate excellence that helps U.S. business prosper, as well as a commitment to community service that ensures that we’re welcome here and that we’re productive guests in the Singapore community.  The Embassy works closely with AmCham to support both of these worthy goals.

The American Association of Singapore and the American Women’s Association are two other outstanding organizations.  They promote friendship and understanding between the American community and other nationalities in Singapore.  I’ve participated in many of their events and know they are doing a marvelous job.  They certainly deserve our thanks for representing the United States so well to our Singaporean and other friends.  Special thanks to Jack Miller, president of the American Association, and Kristina Wright, president of the Women’s Association.

The Singapore American School PTA represents what many consider the best overseas school in the circuit, one that provides a superior education to American children as well as children of many other nationalities.  I am continually impressed by the quality of SAS and the ways in which it gives back to the Singaporean community, and I thank Susan Fay for heading up the PTA there.

As you make Singapore your home, however temporary it may be, I encourage you to think about what you can do to make Singapore an even better place in which to work and live.  The organizations here tonight are an excellent place to start.

Also, I want you to be proud of your Embassy, and I want our staff to give you the highest quality service, whether we’re adding new pages to your passport or supporting your business interests.  We have a new Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy, Dan Shields, who like some of you arrived this summer.  For the business community, Dan Thompson of the Commercial Section is your key liaison.

And for the American Community, Julie Kavanagh, our Consular Chief, is here to tell you a little bit more about the services that the Embassy provides for Americans.  I’ll now turn the microphone over to Julie.

Please enjoy the rest of the evening.  Thank you.