THE MAYOR'S CONSULAR LUNCHEON!

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!







Dozens of people showed up to hear a speech by Mayor Bill White.  It was a group of very distinguished guests from all over the world.  It was the Mayor's luncheon for the Consular Corp.  

Several Consulate Generals from around the world who are based here in Houston dined while Mayor White addressed a list of issues from the Swine flu to energy issues.  Mayor White said one thing was certain - he wasn't going to ask Houstonians to secede from the state.  It was joke in reference to Governor Rick Perry's claim that some in Texas are considering seceding from the country.  

Lots of familiar faces attending the event:  Carlos Gonzalez (Mexico Consulate General), Wanda Adams, Toni Lawrence, Mike Sullivan, MJ Kahan, Mayor Bill White and a host of others.  The event was held Monday afternoon in the Grove Restaurant at Discovery Green Park!

WHAT IS A CONSULATE GENERAL?: The title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the people of the country to whom he or she is accredited and the country of which he or she is a representative. This distinguishes the consul from the ambassador, who is, technically, a representative from one head of state to another. Thus, while there is but one ambassador representing a nation's head of state to another, and his or her duties revolve around diplomatic relations between the two countries, there may be several consuls, one in each of several main cities, providing assistance with bureaucratic issues to both the citizens of the consul's own country travelling or living abroad, and to the citizens of the country the consul is in who wish to travel to or trade with the consul's country.