Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished members of the US Congress,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Mr. Allen Stanford, the Guest of honor and honoree at this fifth Gala of the Inter-American Economic Council,
Ambassador Christopher Thomas,
My dear friend Barry Featherman and his most effective team,
Dear Friends,

It is an honor for me to welcome you tonight at the Organization of American States.

I am particularly pleased to welcome you in this fabulous Hall of the Americas. You indeed represent a group, like the region we represent.

For those who do not know, this Hall carries an enormous amount of history. The Hall of Americas has been witness of many negotiations, some of which were very difficult, many discussions and debates were held on critical matters concerning the Americas. Many Presidents and Prime Ministers have stood here and expressed their thought provoking views on inter-american and world affairs. The OAS is honored to welcome in a few weeks time the Prime Minister of Jamaica and the President of Peru. But this Hall has been also the preferred location for celebrations, like the one tonight.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza regrets that he could not join us tonight, but he sends his best wishes to all of you and in particular to the honoree of tonight, Allen Stanford.

For each of the last five years, the Inter-American Economic Council has presented the Excellence in Leadership Award to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership. Tonight’s event, under the distinguished honorary co-chairmanship of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush, recognizes R. Allen Stanford, a successful Texan business man, for his entrepreneurship and for his contributions to economic development in many communities throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

As Chairman of the Stanford Financial Group of Companies, Allen Stanford has been directly involved for over 20 years with numerous business activities in insurance, banking and real estate development in large and small countries in this Hemisphere as well as in Europe. Beyond the business imperative, he has become known for his active support for a wide range of philanthropic causes that support the arts, education, and small business development. As such, many of Mr. Stanford’s achievements will be rightfully lauded here tonight.

I want to express the Organization’s appreciation to the Inter-American Economic Council, chaired by one of my predecessors Ambassador Christopher Thomas and to the President Barry Featherman. The OAS applauds the work of the Council and is proud to partner with the Council in many activities and I can assure you we will continue to do so. We look forward to the collaboration in the coming months in preparation towards the OAS General Assembly in the Dominican Republic.

The Organization of American States, for those who are not fully familiar with our work, is the premier hemispheric platform for the 34 member states to discuss issues regarding democracy, development and security. Our efforts throughout the hemisphere are aimed at strengthening democratic governability, good governance, promoting equality and social equity, all to create an environment of peace and stability for everybody in the Americas. Many challenges remain and we have a long way to go, but let me let those rest for tonight.

I am pleased to observe the presence of many representatives of the US Congress here tonight. I cannot but take this opportunity to thank you publicly for your support to this Organization and we count on your continuing efforts to promote freedom, democracy and equality.

I would like to use this opportunity to emphasize the importance of the public and private sector maintaining active, ongoing and responsible engagement -- working together to achieve common objectives for the public good. I challenge those of us assembled here tonight – legislators, business executives, civil society leaders – to maintain an open dialogue and to find common ground as we jointly pursue the goals of development, security and governability.

We firmly believe that the sustainability of our combined efforts can and will make a difference.

This OAS leadership stands ready to work in partnership with you.

Again, I congratulate Mr. Stanford on his outstanding achievements and for his contributions to development in the Americas.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening.