Consul General to Chicago Visits Congresswoman Tlaib’s Detroit District Office

Mr. Andy Goddeeris, Senior Policy Counsel of US Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13th) with Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin in Detroit on 26 April 2019. (DCG RV Israel Jr. photo)

CHICAGO 17 May 2019 – As part of her calls to promote the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus in the United States Congress, Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin visited Michigan’s 13th Congressional District office and met with Andy Goddeeris, Senior Policy Counsel of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, on 26 April 2019.

The Consul General also gave a bird’s eye view of U.S.-Philippines bilateral ties, including the assistance and cooperation between the two countries in fighting terrorism in Marawi City and Mindanao.

She also extended her congratulations to Congresswoman Tlaib through Mr. Goddeeris after making history in November 2018 by becoming the first Palestinian-American congresswoman and one of the first two female Muslim members of the U.S. Congress, along with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minnesota. Both Michigan and Minnesota are under the Consulate General’s consular jurisdiction.

Given the significant population of Filipino-Muslims and their important role in peace and security in Mindanao and the Southeast Asian region, Consul General Jamoralin hopes the Congresswoman would join and bring a unique perspective to the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus

For his part, Mr. Goddeeris also shared with the Consul General some of the Congresswoman’s priorities and advocacies to help revitalize the poorer and underserved communities in her district. Consul General Jamoralin, in this regard, noted that the Filipino community that teems with medical professionals can be a resource for potential voluntary healthcare service.

Working to enhance and broaden the relations between Michigan and the Philippines, Consul General Jamoralin added that she hopes for the establishment of more sister-city and sister-university arrangements. Mr. Goddeeris agreed to support her endeavor by broaching such idea to Wayne State University, the third largest university in Michigan located within their congressional district, for the school’s consideration. END

Mr. Goddeeris (center) and Consul General Jamoralin is joined by Honorary Consul Marcus Evangelista (left) in a photo in front of a portrait of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib with a keffiyeh, traditional Palestinian scarf, around her neck. (DCG RV Israel Jr. photo)

For more information, visit www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.chicagopcg.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/.