Author: USSC

Democrats nominate chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen for the Nobel Peace Prize

Democrats nominated Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen (WCK) for the Nobel Peace Prize, just after a House GOP lawmaker nominated former President Trump for the prestigious award.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) along with Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) nominated the celebrity chef and his not-for-profit non-government organization (NGO) in a letter addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, citing his “innovative model” and his impact as a “global phenomenon” by providing more than 350 million dishes worldwide made by locals. 

“During many dark and difficult times, the impact Chef Andrés and the World Central Kitchen has been extraordinary,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. 

“All are in awe of how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef Andrés quickly marshaled the effort to provide 40 million meals to feed the hungry across the world,” they added.

They also commended him for helping to feed the National Guard soldiers in 2021 amid the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, how his NGO distributed hot meals and grocery kits in Kyiv during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war and the aid the group offered to displaced Palestinians amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Andrés is a Washington, D.C.-based restaurateur whose disaster relief fund gives out meals during natural disasters, namely starting off right after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010.

The well-known chef, who operates a two-Michelin-star restaurant as well as several Bib Gourmands, has built his NGO into an organization that topped $500 million in annual revenue in 2022.  

His prize nomination came just after Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney (N.Y.) nominated the former president for brokering the Abraham Accords — a formal treaty to normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Israel.

Former USSC Chair and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson passed away this past September – 2023

Bill Clinton remembers Bill Richardson as skilled, informal US diplomat: ‘The bad guys liked him’

BY MORGAN LEEUpdated 6:57 PM EST, September 14, 2023Share

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Bill Clinton paid homage at a funeral Mass Thursday to former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as a groundbreaking Latino politician and unorthodox master diplomat who could coax good things out of dictators and despots. 

Richardson served as the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary under the former president, who described his unique trust in Richardson on the international stage and as a custodian of national security and nuclear weapons labs, including facilities at Los Alamos, New Mexico.

“The bad guys liked him. But there’s a reason for that,” said Clinton, describing an early mission by Richardson as U.N. ambassador to encourage a democratic transition of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “If you scratch hard enough and long enough on anybody, there’s almost always still a person down there somewhere. … He may be twisted beyond untwisting. But once in a while, they do the right thing anyway. Bill Richardson knew that.”

Richardson died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts, earlier this month at age 75.

Political allies, Native American leaders and people touched by Richardson’s work to free Americans imprisoned abroad gathered in Santa Fe’s downtown Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi to honor a man known for his innate political skills, soaring ambition and ability to both clash and reconcile with rivals.

Clinton walked hand-on-hand with Richardson’s widow, Barbara, following the casket into cathedral and back out again. Relatives of some of the political prisoners whom Richardson sought to free as well as Interior Secretary Deb Haaland were also in attendance.

Richardson’s friendship with Clinton endured, despite having a falling out after Richardson dropped out of the 2008 presidential race and endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. 

The Clintons expressed their sadness after learning of Richardson’s death earlier this month, and Bill Clinton on Thursday alluded to two “big fights” with Richardson that were reconciled with apologies and forgiveness.

“That’s what real people try to do with their lives. Nobody is perfect,” Clinton told a cathedral filled with hundreds of mourners.

Clinton during Thursday’s service reiterated his appreciation for Richardson’s informal methods of diplomacy. He described Richardson as big and hulky with a good sense of humor and someone who didn’t mind being politically incorrect from time to time.

“His energy was infectious. His skills were prodigious. His life was a gift, and I’m so glad that, each in our different ways, we received it,” Clinton said. “Now I ask you to go out of here and try to improve on his example. He would like it if you were trying.”

Richardson throughout his career and after leaving public office was tapped for numerous unofficial diplomatic missions, using his knack for negotiation to free many Americans held hostage abroad.

Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester said faith was important to Richardson, recalling a story about a crucifix Richardson wore around his neck — a gift from his grandmother who lived in Mexico. Fearing that he would lose it during a baseball game, he had stashed it in his back pocket and it became lodged in his leg after he slid into second base. Richardson joked that it was a sign that his grandmother had embedded the faith deep in him — literally.

It was that faith that helped Richardson through his interactions with world leaders and others, Wester said, suggesting that Richardson’s life paralleled that of the Good Samaritan in biblical stories. He said Richardson shook hands not out of duty but rather because he enjoyed meeting and getting along with people.

“Saint John of the Cross had a wonderful insight when he said that in the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone,” Wester said. “This is the message of the cross, the message of the Good Samaritan, the message of Gov. Richardson’s life — love one another, take risks for one another and have compassion for one another.”

The line to enter the historic cathedral stretched around the building as hundreds filed inside, from members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation to tribal governors and dignitaries from around the globe. 

Hundreds also turned out Wednesday as Richardson’s casket laid in state in the Capitol’s rotunda. An arrangement of white roses sent by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden was joined by flowers from others who were there to remember the work he had done for the state.

Richardson served two terms as governor starting in 2003. His casket was flanked by a police guard and draped in the New Mexico state flag with its ancient Zia Pueblo symbol of the sun.

The memorial services have reunited top advisers and Cabinet secretaries to Richardson in his years as governor, which were marked by splashy employment and public works projects — the creation of a commuter rail line connecting Santa Fe with Albuquerque, an aerospace “spaceport” launch facility, and generous incentives to attract film productions to New Mexico in the era before “Breaking Bad.”

Richardson enacted initiatives with a Democratic-led Legislature that put an end to the death penalty in the state, eliminated sales taxes on medicine and food in efforts to combat poverty, and renewed rights to collective bargaining by government workers that had expired under his Republican predecessor.

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Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report.

The 2023 Young Leaders Program Application Window has been extended!

The U.S. Spain Council Has Extended the Application Period to Join the 2023 Cohort of Our Marquee Cultural Exchange Program.

Since 2001, the Young Leaders Program has been the U.S. Spain Council’s flagship programming, bringing young American leaders to Spain with the goal of familiarizing them with the social, cultural, economic, and political realities of contemporary Spain, and to foster stronger understanding between Spain and the United States.

This trip serves as a wonderful opportunity to engage directly the subject of economic and political US – Spain and US – EU Relations. Past year’s program included visits to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where participants met with Spain’s Secretary of State, open talks with the heads of the International and Economic sections of El Pais Newspaper, luncheons at the Spanish Parliament where they met the heads of both major political parties. Visits to the US Embassy in Madrid, the US Consulate in Barcelona and the headquarters of financial institutions such as Grupo BBVA and CaixaBank.

We are thrilled to open the application period for our annual Young Leaders program and begin the process of selecting an outstanding cohort of American thought-leadership to embark on this once in a lifetime opportunity, experiencing Spain up-close and with unprecedented access.

Statement from USSC Executive Director Catherine Pino

If you or someone you know may be interested in applying to join the 2023 cohort of USSC Young Leaders, you can submit an application using the button above and learn more about the program here.

The 2023 Young Leaders Program Application Window is Now Open!

The U.S. Spain Council Has Opened the Application Period to Join the 2023 Cohort of Our Marquee Cultural Exchange Program.

Since 2001, the Young Leaders Program has been the U.S. Spain Council’s flagship programming, bringing young American leaders to Spain with the goal of familiarizing them with the social, cultural, economic, and political realities of contemporary Spain, and to foster stronger understanding between Spain and the United States.

This trip serves as a wonderful opportunity to engage directly the subject of economic and political US – Spain and US – EU Relations. Past year’s program included visits to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where participants met with Spain’s Secretary of State, open talks with the heads of the International and Economic sections of El Pais Newspaper, luncheons at the Spanish Parliament where they met the heads of both major political parties. Visits to the US Embassy in Madrid, the US Consulate in Barcelona and the headquarters of financial institutions such as Grupo BBVA and CaixaBank.

We are thrilled to open the application period for our annual Young Leaders program and begin the process of selecting an outstanding cohort of American thought-leadership to embark on this once in a lifetime opportunity, experiencing Spain up-close and with unprecedented access.

Statement from USSC Executive Director Catherine Pino

If you or someone you know may be interested in applying to join the 2023 cohort of USSC Young Leaders, you can submit an application using the button above and learn more about the program here.

The U.S. Embassy in Spain Participates Officially in the Madrid Pride Parade for the First Time

US-Spain Council Executive Director Catherine Pino invited to participate by US Ambassador.

On July 6th 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Spain participated officially for the first time in the Madrid Pride parade. 

Chargé d’Affaires Conrad Tribble and Deputy Chief of Mission a.i. Joe Mellott led a group of employees, including diplomats and family members, through the complete route carrying a banner with the message: “U.S. Embassy Spain Supports Pride”.

As President Biden said at the beginning of Pride Month, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQI+ persons worldwide in the ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.

Official Statement from the United States Mission to Spain and Andorra

US-Spain Council Executive Director, Catherine Pino, alongside her partner, Ingrid Duran were invited to participate in the Embassy’s parade group by the US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, The Honorable Julissa Reynoso.

US Embassy to Spain and Andorra Celebrates the 246th Anniversary of U.S. Independence

On July 4th, American Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Julissa Reynoso, presided over the celebration of the 246th anniversary of U.S. Independence. In her speech Ambassador Reynoso highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship and emphasized that Spain is an “indispensable ally” for the United States.

During the celebration, the Marines made the traditional Presentation of Colors and the national anthems of both the United States and Spain were played for the attendees at the Palacio de los Duques de Pastrana, where the celebration took place.