Press Releases
Consulate Helps Bilateral Police Cooperation
US Consulate
Public Affairs Office
Press Release
Guadalajara, Jal., May 8. - 2009 – Law enforcement authorities from Dallas, Texas Los Angeles,California and Michoacan worked together to return a dangerous fugitive, Francisco Javier Figueroa Ochoa, to face justice for the murder of three Mexicans in 2004. Figueroa Ochoa had been arrested in 2004, for his crimes but escaped after assaulting a guard and illegally made his way into the United States. In April 2008 authorities were notified that Figueroa Ochoa had been captured and was incarcerated in the United States, charged with immigration violations under the alias Jose Acevedo Garcia. Once his true identity was determined, U.S. law enforcement worked with their Mexican counterparts to return him to Mexican prison on April 17, 2009.
This capture and transfer of a dangerous criminal such as Figueroa Ochoa is but one in a series of closer collaborations between US and Mexican Authorities. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Consulate also recently completed a training program that was funded with support from the Merida Initiative. April 20 – 24, 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a training camp for Mexican law enforcement officials in Puerto Vallarta. Thirty-two law enforcement professionals from ten states were trained in the latest techniques of anti-kidnapping and police protection. Those trained were all members of the ministerial police officers and members of state anti-kidnapping units.
This type of cooperative training is intended to assist Mexico confront rising the numbers of kidnappings. These kidnapping are a threat to both sides of the border, as these criminals target both Mexican and U.S. nationals for ransom and extortion. However, law enforcement officials have shown that they too can work without borders. The relationships generated through these types of programs have created important contacts that can be used to coordinate future actions, just like those that helped the two countries bring Francisco Javier Figueroa Ochoa to justice.
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Patriot Day
DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.
Today, we honor the lives we lost 8 years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.
As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which our Nation was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.
In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad. In April, I was proud to sign the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Originated by the family members of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to salute the heroes of 9/11, recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that inspired our Nation following the attacks, and rededicate ourselves to sustained service to our communities.
Throughout the summer, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to lend a helping hand in their communities through United We Serve. As this summer of service draws to an end, we renew the call to engage in meaningful service activities and stay engaged with those projects throughout the year. Working together, we can usher in a new era in which volunteering and service is a way of life for all Americans. Deriving strength from tragedy, we can write the next great chapter in our Nation's history and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the promise of America.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
US Arquitecture
Exposición “Arquitectura de Estados Unidos, Lo Moderno, Lo Nuevo”.
El día de hoy, 9 de noviembre del presente año se llevo a cabo la inauguración oficial de la exposición fotográfica “Arquitectura de Estados Unidos, Lo Moderno, Lo Nuevo”, una contribución del Consulado de los Estado Unidos en Guadalajara para la el Centro Universitario de Arte Arquitectura y Diseño de la Universidad de Guadalajara.
Ante la presencia de autoridades de esta casa de estudios y público en general, el invitado de honor, el Cónsul General de los Estados Unidos en Guadalajara, Daniel F. Keller, cortó el listón al interior de la biblioteca Horst Hartung Franz para inaugurar la exposición.
La realización de este intercambio es resultado de la cooperación entre la oficina de Asuntos Públicos del Consulado General de los Estados Unidos en Guadalajara al mando del Programa de exposiciones temáticas y las autoridades de este Centro Universitario, especialmente, de la participación del Dr. Mario Alberto Orozco Abundis, Rector del Centro.
“Como ustedes saben, el termino arquitectura es sinónimo de inspiración. Tanto de la inspiración plasmada por aquellos que diseñan y construyen los edificios que nos rodean como de la inspiración que esos mismos diseños y planes urbanos transmiten a la comunidad circundante. Los paneles aquí exhibidos, pertenecen a una colección compuesta por 12 obras de distintos arquitectos estadounidenses contemporáneos. Esperamos que esta exposición sea de su agrado y al mismo tiempo sea una fuente de inspiración para los estudiantes de esta casa de estudios”, expreso el Cónsul General durante su participación.
Terminada la ceremonia, los invitados acudieron a la terraza del Centro a disfrutar de un pequeño brindis en conmemoración del evento para después culminar con un recorrido por las instalaciones del recinto. El encuentro entre estas dos Instituciones es el inicio del camino de la realización de proyectos a futuro entre ellas.