PH Consul General to Chicago Calls On Kansas Governor, Attorney General
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (left) with Consul General Gina Jamoralin in Topeka on 05 August 2019. (Chicago PCG photo)
CHICAGO 30 August 2019 – Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin paid a courtesy call on Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and met with Kansas Attorney General Derek on 05 August 2019 at the historic Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, on the heels of a consular outreach service around 140 miles away in Wichita over the weekend.
The first meeting of Consul General Jamoralin and Governor Kelly, a former State Senator who won the gubernatorial election last November, initiated a serious look into possible expansion of the relations between the State of Kansas and the Philippines.
With over 10,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans calling Kansas their new home while maintaining connections with their country of origin, as well as increasing overall trade in the past years reaching its peak at US$146.1 million last year, Consul General Jamoralin shared her optimism with the governor in expanding relations to investments in infrastructure and academic and research exchanges.
The Consul General also broached the possibility of establishing a sister state or province partnership between Kansas and a Philippine province as a springboard for enhanced academic, cultural and official exchanges. She hoped that visits of business delegations can soon be worked out to take advantage of existing economic opportunities and complementarities between Kansas and the Philippines.
She further encouraged closer contact between the Filipino community in Kansas, initially through the Filipino American Association of Greater Wichita (FAAGW), and Kansas state officials and political leaders. With the coming celebration of Filipino American History Month in October, she hoped that there would be greater awareness and appreciation of Filipino Americans’ contribution to the diversity and strength of Kansas.
Aside from opening a vista into the future and a good sense of how to chart a path forward, the wide-ranging discussion between Governor Kelly and Consul General Jamoralin also touched on historical ties between the Philippines and the United States.
Joined by Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. and Legislative Director Cory V. Sheedy, the two officials marked their first meeting with an exchange of tokens.
Consul General Jamoralin (right) pushing for ways to advance cooperation between the Philippines and the Midwest by constantly engaging local, state and federal officials. (Chicago PCG photo)
Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin with Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. (Chicago PCG photo)
The Consul Genera Jamoralin congratulated Attorney General Schmidt on being elected to a third term in office last November and his accomplishments in protecting Kansas consumers and taxpayers and in fighting crimes against children and the elderly.
She mentioned that Filipino-Americans numbering strive to live up to their proud image as hardworking, law-abiding and significantly contributing to the diversity and progress of the Sunflower State.
Consul General Jamoralin discussed with Attorney General Schmidt possible ways to guide and assist Filipinos. “Having forum on relevant issues, such as consumer fraud, human trafficking, domestic abuse as well as important developments in the statutory environment of Kansas she hoped could be the start of a fruitful community outreach and collaboration,” Consul General Jamoralin said.
The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago is serving around 350,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the Midwest, is more than happy to partner and work with local, state and federal agencies in promoting their welfare and rights under the law. END
For more information, visit https://www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.chicagopcg.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/.