Statement of Edward Romero to Senate Foreign Relations Committee, June 16, 1998 Last updated: June 19, 1998

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I would first like to thank New Mexico's outstanding Senators -- Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman -- for introducing me to you today. I am honored to appear before you and privileged by the trust placed in me by President Clinton in nominating me to serve as United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working closely with the Committee and others in Congress to advance our interests in Spain, Andorra, and the entire region. In the last twenty years, Spain has emerged as a major and powerful influence in the world. The relationship between our countries has developed into a strong partnership. The relationship is truly exceptional.

The exceptional relationship between the U.S. and Spain dates back to the founding of this country, when Spain helped the colonies win independence from Britain. Had it not been for Spanish money, arms, and soldiers, the Revolutionary War might have turned out differently.

Likewise, many do not realize that the first permanent European settlement in the present day United States pre-dates the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown by nine years, and the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock by twenty-two years. That first European settlement was founded four hundred years ago -- in 1598 -- by courageous Spanish colonists in my home state of New Mexico, which then lay at the northern frontier of Spain's vast colonies in the Americas. I am proud to say that both my wife, Cayetana, and I are descendants of those first Spanish settlers, my ancestors having come from Corral de Almaguer which is south of Madrid and east of Toledo.

Because of my Spanish ancestry and my extensive travel in Spain, I am keenly aware of the tight bond that the United States enjoys with Spain. I hope to capitalize on that bond. The common history shared by our two countries for centuries constitutes a solid foundation on which to forge even stronger links in the future. To quote Spain's Vice President Alvarez-Cascos during his visit to New Mexico in April, "we are sons of our past history but fathers of our future." Last October, at the first U.S. meeting of the recently formed U.S.-Spain Council, Vice President Gore remarked that "U.S.-Spanish relations are excellent now, and poised to become even more productive in the coming years." I would be fortunate to serve as Ambassador at a time when the diplomatic ground is very fertile and stands ready to yield an ever greater harvest of understanding and collaboration between our two countries on multilateral efforts in support of democracy, prosperity, and peace in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and elsewhere.

Continued cooperation on common multilateral problems is just as important as the continued nurturing of our bilateral relations. As Ambassador, I would work to achieve significant increases in sales of U.S. goods and services, in cultural and educational exchanges between our peoples, and in investment and tourism in the U.S. Given my business background, I would want my efforts as Ambassador to produce concrete, bottom-line results that would benefit all our citizens through increased trade and enhanced employment opportunities. Therefore, if confirmed, I will do everything in my power to make U.S.-Spanish relations and U.S.-Andorran relations even closer than they already are.

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, thank you for this honor to address you.