It is an honor to have this opportunity to share my experience as a Senior Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States House of Representatives with this distinguished gathering of consuls—the men and women who stand on the frontlines of international relations.

I am humbled and deeply appreciative that H. E. Hon. D. M. Jayaratne, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, has discerned the importance of the occasion and taken the time to add his presence to declare our 2^nd South Asia Consular Conference officially open.

What an exciting and fruitful day we had. We were treated to hear fantastic speakers in this Conference, starting with the inspiring address of our President, Hon. Arnold Foote, as ably read by our Secretary-General, Hon. Aykut Eken.