American Consulate General in Jeddah Hosts National Day Celebration
The Consulate General of the United States of America in Jeddah observed its 2009 American National Day on March 8 with a gala celebration with over 300 guests in attendance. The event presented an opportunity to welcome new guests and long-time friends to the Consulate and to say goodbye to those members of the community departing.
In his remarks, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ford M. Fraker noted important achievements that were accomplished over the last year. The resumption of limited visa services at the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah and the US-Saudi agreement 5 year visas for Saudi nationals. He stressed the significance of these achievements in helping ease the process of citizens of both countries who want to visit for tourism, education and business. He also cited the importance of commercial and educational exchange between the two countries. He praised the King Abdullah Scholarship program and noted that the U.S. currently hosts 15,000 Saudi students – the highest level since 2001. Ambassador Ford Fraker thanked his Saudi counterparts for their support and friendship during his time as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Consul General Martin Quinn noted in his remarks that while it was his first time hosting the American National Day in Jeddah but it would not be his last. He thanked his Saudi hosts for their warm welcome of himself and his wife to Jeddah and expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to work closely with Saudi counterparts on many areas of mutual interest. Consul General Quinn took the opportunity to recognize the various achievements of Ambassador Fraker during his tenure and thanked him for his two years of service in Saudi Arabia. As a parting gift, Consul General Quinn presented Ambassador Fraker with a flag which had been flown above the Consulate General in Jeddah in his honor.
The National Day reception featured a rendition of the U.S. National Anthem by a choir from the American International School, American music performed by a local American band, and a wide sampling of American food sponsored by 22 American food vendors from Jeddah.