[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E601-E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE SERGIO AMARAL, 
          AMBASSADOR OF BRAZIL TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2019

  Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Brazilian 
Ambassador to the United States, Sergio Silva do Amaral, whose 
invaluable commitment to the bonds of friendship between Brazil and the 
American people has left an indelible mark on our bilateral and 
hemisperic relations. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on 
Brazil, I have worked on numerous occasions with Ambassador Amaral to 
deepen our bilateral relations, and build upon the great history of 
partnership between Brazil and America.
  In September 2016, Sergio Amaral was appointed Ambassador of Brazil 
to the United States in Washington, D.C. Since then, Ambassador Amaral 
has worked tirelessly to promote a closer U.S.-Brazil friendship, as 
well as to promote the expansion of our economic, political, defense, 
and cultural relations, bringing a message of friendliness and 
cooperation during his travels through our country in furtherance of 
his mission to spread Brazil's message of peace and prosperity for all 
people. On June 1, when he retires from his Ambassadorial role in the 
U.S., he will conclude nearly 45 years of service to Brazil. His time 
as Brazil's Ambassador is thus an appropriate capstone to his long and 
distinguished career.
  Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and as a graduate of the University of Sao 
Paulo and the University of Paris, France, Ambassador Amaral has served 
in a number of senior official posts in the Brazilian public service 
over five decades. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to the U.S., 
he served as Ambassador to London and Ambassador to Paris, as well as 
Minister of Development, Trade and Industry, and Chief-Minister for 
Social Communication of Brazil's Presidency. His other notable 
positions include Vice Minister of Environment and the Amazon, 
Secretary for International Affairs of the Ministry of Economy, 
President of the Council of Brazil's Chamber of Foreign Trade, and 
President of the Brazil-China Business Council.
  Ambassador Sergio Amaral has continuously reminded us of the great 
potential that lies ahead of Brazil and the United States as two of the 
largest democracies and economies in the Western Hemisphere. We must 
build upon the common beliefs that have historically connected the 
peoples of Brazil and America: our commitment to democracy, our 
commitment to the rule of law, and our commitment to the dignity of all 
people in our own countries and around the world. Today, I thank 
Ambassador Sergio Amaral for his service to these ideals, and wish him 
a long and happy retirement.

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