U.S. Ambassador Thomas Shannon Presents Credentials to President Lula

Brasília, February 4, 2010 – U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., presented his credentials to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil during a ceremony held at Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB) in Brasília on February 4, 2010. At the end of the ceremony, the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas Shannon Jr. passed a formation of soldiers and the national anthems were played. More...

Fry Street Quartet Honors Zilda Arns at Curitiba Music Festival

São Paulo, February 2, 2010 -- The Fry Street Quartet excited audiences with their uniquely American flair, full of passion and vitality, during their performance at the 28th Curitiba Music Festival, one of Brazil’s oldest and most important music festivals, eliciting numerous standing ovations and calls for encores.  They closed their program with the gospel song “Amazing Grace” in a moving tribute to Brazilian humanitarian and Parana native Zilda Arns, who had died in the earthquake in Haiti.  More...

Black History Month Honors Legacy of Struggle and Triumph

Presidential Proclamation -- National African American History Month
Theme for 2010 is “The History of Black Economic Empowerment”
Washington — Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles — slavery, prejudice, poverty — as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are more than 41 million black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They make up 13.5 percent of the U.S. population. More...

Secretary Hillary Thanks Brazil for its Work in Haiti During the Conference in Montreal

Montreal - We agreed on key principles that will guide our effort, including the leadership of the Government of Haiti and close cooperation among the international community.  I’m very grateful to Prime Minister Bellerive and President Preval for their leadership and guidance as we commence this important effort. I especially want to thank the United Nations and particularly Brazil, who has contributed so generously to the work at the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. More...

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Unrestricted, Secure Internet Access Critical, United States Says

Washington — The Obama administration is continuing its efforts to promote universal and uncensored access to the Internet around the world, viewing it as a critical element to modern economies and societies, the State Department’s Alec Ross said January 14. More...

Haiti: Relief and Recovery

The United States Government has mobilized resources and people to aid in the relief effort.  At the direction of President Obama, this is a whole-of-government effort, and USAID has the lead in this swift, aggressive and coordinated response.  Military personnel are playing an indispensable role in supporting this humanitarian effort, including making the logistics chain possible and distributing life-saving assistance.  More...