President of the World Federation of Consuls, the Honourable Arnold Foote, OJ, in his address to introduce US Congressman Dan Burton, keynote speaker at the FICAC European Regional Conference in Brussels in February, said:

• Visiting Congressmen and other members of the US Delegation,
• Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps,
• Dean and members of the Belgian Consular Union,
• Directors and members of the World Federation of Consuls,
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my distinct honour and pleasure to introduce our very special guest today. When a politician is able to comfortably win his seat for fifteen consecutive elections, there is no doubt that he has earned the trust and confidence of the constituents whose interests he is pledged to defend. Congressman Dan Burton, Republican representative of the 5th District of Indiana in the US Congress, has proven at each Congressional election since 1982, the level of strong support which he enjoys. With us today is a politician whose track record reveals unreserved commitment to his country, the United States of America. Congressman Burton is reported to have an average of 93 percent vote-support of Republican Party positions. He has co-sponsored several pieces of landmark US legislation which have helped to shape America’s domestic and foreign policies. His interests are wide ranging as can be seen from the House Committees and Sub Committees on which he serves.
Currently, the Congressman is a member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Oversight and Government Reform, having chaired the latter for six years, ending in 2003. He is a member of eight Sub-Committees, including the Sub-Committee on Domestic Policy and that on Europe and Eurasia on which he serves as Chairman.
As if this were not already a difficult agenda, Congressman Burton belongs to fifty-nine Caucuses.

That Congressman Burton is now serving his 15th term as Republican Representative for the 5th Congressional District of the State of Indiana, says volumes about his ability to understand the needs, priorities and values of the American people, in relation to both domestic and foreign policy, and his skill in effectively representing those interests in his country’s highest legislative body.

Congressman Dan Burton’s long experience, especially as Chairman of the Europe and Eurasia Sub-Committee, has given him a clear understanding of the linkages between Europe and the USA. The Congressman recognises the significance of the EU’s place as the largest trading partner of the USA. He is painfully alert to the ongoing crisis of the euro and the impact which this could have, not only in Europe, but on the US and other economies of the developed and the developing worlds.

Representing an electoral district where one out of every five jobs is dependent on foreign trade, Congressman Burton is a strong supporter of trade as a means to economic growth.

He has received special recognition from a large number of organisations for his leadership in Congress, including a Congressional ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce in 2010; several awards for National Security Leadership, conferred jointly by the American Security Council, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Reserve Officer Association. The Small Business Advocate Award was conferred twice by the Small Business Survival Committee for his efforts to support and encourage small businesses through innovation and improved investments.
Congressman Dan Burton is a man with the courage of his convictions and an abiding commitment to service. These are strengths which are so necessary in today’s world.

When dialogue and interaction at national and international levels reflect these strengths, and are founded on mutual respect and understanding, we will be well on the way to the durable solutions which we seek for peace, security and sustainable development.

It is indeed an honour and privilege to have Congressman Dan Burton with us at our FICAC Europe Regional Conference.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Congressman Dan Burton to the podium.His Excellency Erik Derycke, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, receiving the Medal of Appreciation from The Hon. Arnold Foote, FICAC President, for his interesting and informative presentation at the FICAC European Regional Conference.>

Hon. Willy Deswaef, Dean of the Belgian Consular Union, receiving the FICAC Medal of Appreciation from President Arnold Foote, for his excellent contribution to the Consular movement in Europe.