STEPHEN KING U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Dobrý den [Hello in Czech]. My name is Steve King, and I am extremely honored to be
the new U.S. Ambassador to your beautiful country. Americans and Czechs share an historic bond,
dating back 100 years, and I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Tillerson
[VICE PRESIDENT PENCE AT SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR AMBASSADOR KING ] for entrusting me with the responsibility of caring for
this very important relationship.
I'm proud to come from my country's heartland - the great American Midwest.
Whether in Wisconsin, Indiana or in Chicago, Illinois,
I have spent my life in areas where many citizens celebrate their Czech heritage
And let me say I'm extremely glad to be in a country that loves ice hockey as
much as I and other Midwesterners do. And not to mention beer!
Midwesterners also love the outdoors as a longtime Scout I deeply appreciate nature
as well as the values such as respect for others, honesty and the importance of giving back to our communities.
In 2018 as we celebrate 100 years of U.S.- Czech diplomatic relations
and the centennial of the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918,
we should remind ourselves of the foundation of our strong relationship
That year presidents Wilson and Masaryk worked together to turn
the dream of an independent free nation into a reality.
As US ambassador to the Czech Republic,
my goal is to further strengthen the core elements that make this continuing partnership
so vital and healthy — our rock-solid cooperation on regional security
our shared democratic values and our growing economic ties.
As an experienced businessman, I know how important commerce and trade can be in a
relationship helping develop new ways for people to work together and become
more prosperous. I will work hard to increase trade and expand market access
for both Czech and American company. At the same time I know that our close
partnership will continue across the full scope of our relationship our
militaries work closely alongside each other whether in combat zones or through
the state Partnership Program with the Texas and Nebraska National Guards.
I'm extremely happy to be here with my wife Karen our three children and seven
grandchildren are already planning their first visit. I can't wait to show them
the best of the Czech Republic. Your country is so beautiful that is hard to
know where to start. Karen and I would love to hear your suggestions
about places we should visit. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible
as we explore the Czech Republic and celebrate the centennial in 2018.
Thank you very much for your warm welcome and see you soon!
FOLLOW AMBASSADOR KING ON TWITTER @USAmbPrague
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