Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires Robert McKay – Open Ceremony
Friday, June 26, 2015

Thank you for the invitation to join you this morning. On behalf of Ambassador Hale, who regrets that he is in Washington and unable to join you, it is a pleasure to be here. Ambassador Hale also wishes to express his thanks to the President of the LARP, Mr. Walid Maalouf, for his to lifelong dedication to public service and community organizations.

Today is an important opportunity to recognize the work of the Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership. It is thanks to the shared bonds of friendship, business, culture, and organizations such as yours that America and Lebanon have such an enduring relationship. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is proud to support these ties through development assistance, and cultural and educational exchanges that benefit Lebanese from all walks of life.

Each day, Ambassador Hale leads the U.S. Embassy in fostering ties between our two countries. We work together with the Lebanese government on political, social, military, and economic issues. However, our relationship does not exist purely at the governmental level. It goes much deeper than that. Tonight, as we recognize the importance of the Civil Defense volunteers and the ties between our two countries, we are focusing on an important part of that relationship. Our engagement with civil society, educational institutions, businesses and individuals provide genuine, lasting ties between us.

In addition to our overall ties, there is a particular bond between Americans of Lebanese origin, and the people of Lebanon. The Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership plays an important role in facilitating relations between these two communities. This translates into increased business opportunities, projects that foster economic growth, and unwavering support for civil society and democratic institutions.

These ties are nothing new. History tells us about Lebanese ships in Boston Harbor in the seventeen hundreds, well before American independence. In the 20th century, Lebanese were drawn to Michigan when American automaker Henry Ford needed skilled workers for his factories. Today Lebanese-Americans are excelling in business, academia, the arts, and government. A prime example of this is George Esseff, the corporate leader of the Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership, who through his success as a chemist pioneered and patented several processes with titanium, and who shared his wealth generously to the poor, sick, and homeless throughout his life.

Back here in Lebanon, the ties between our countries are evidenced by the growing number of American products on the shelves of Lebanese supermarkets, and American brands being worn by young people in Beirut. Getting American products to market in Lebanon is a testament to our solid business relationship. That relationship will continue to grow, and I can assure you that commercial activities are among the Embassy's top priorities.

We all know that businesses face many challenges today. Yet, the successes that we all benefit from can be attributed to one important asset: the Lebanese. The economies of both Lebanon and the United States benefit from the talent and skill of the Lebanese people.

You and I both know that the business community's voice in Lebanon is strong, and the diaspora's voice is also strong. Your organization brings together successful Lebanese and American business, entrepreneurial, professional, and community leaders to improve the economic conditions in Lebanon and benefit worthwhile causes, such as your support of Civil Defense. I encourage you to continue using your voice to make an impact on the issues that are important to us all: a secure, stable, prosperous, sovereign, and free Lebanon.

Despite the challenges that Lebanon faces today, it is still very much open for business. This is in no small part thanks to you. Thank you for the work that you do, as individuals, and through the Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership, and thank you for inviting me this morning.