Highlights
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 | | (L to R) Michael Chilton, representing New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, U.S. Charge d’Affaires David Keegan, and U.S. Consul General John Desrocher |
Independence Day Observed Early in AucklandOfficially, U.S. Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July every year. In fact, U.S. Independence is often celebrated in a number of events leading up to that date, as was the case this year at Auckland's Northern Club. An early celebration of U.S. Independence was held by the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland to coincide with a farewell for America’s top diplomat in Auckland. On June 25th Charge d’Affaires David Keegan hosted a combined 233rd Anniversary of U.S. Independence Day and farewell to Auckland Consul General John Desrocher and his wife, Karen Rose. 120 guests celebrated an early July 4th and bade farewell to John and Karen as they prepared to depart for John’s next overseas assignment. Dr. Keegan invited the audience to join him in celebrating not just America’s national day, but also the deep and abiding relationship between the U.S.A. and New Zealand. He noted that our two countries share a vision of the world where "each person is valued and able to express themselves and make a contribution. It is a world where governments seek not war, but shared security and prosperity. It is a world where we are protecting our environment and ensuring that those in need have access to food, to education, and to a healthy secure future for their children. In that we are united, and we are working together." After his speech, Dr Keegan toasted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, and Michael Chilton, representing New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reciprocated by toasting the people and President of the United States. A final note was added to the ‘official’ proceedings when US Consul Nick Greanias sang a light-hearted composition of his own to celebrate departing Consul General John Desrocher’s time in Auckland – and his prospects for future advancement in the U.S. Diplomatic Service (to the tune of "I am the very model of a modern major general" from HMS Pinafore). |
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| The World is Watching Iran President Obama's Statement on Iran The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights. As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion. Martin Luther King once said - "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples’ belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness … (more)
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| President Leads by Example on Energy Efficiency Amidst the tremedous progress being made in Congress on legislation to create a clean energy economy, on June 29 the President led by example and did his part in the Executive branch. The President and Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today several innovative actions that will promote energy efficiency while saving Americans billions of dollars annually. The announcement highlights the fact that clean energy not only makes environmental sense, but it also makes smart economic sense. The President explained that this is why the administration has put energy at the forefront of our economic recovery, working to build a new, clean energy economy for the future: "So we've gotten a lot done on the energy front over the last six months. But even as we're changing the ways we're producing energy, we're also changing the ways we use energy. In fact, one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to make our economy stronger and cleaner is to make our economy more energy efficient. And that's something that Secretary Chu is working every single day to work through."
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| "A New Beginning": Obama Seeks Fresh Start with Muslims Worldwide Saying he came to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, President Obama told an audience in Cairo June 4 that the cycle of suspicion and discord that has defined the relationship for so long must end. “There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground,” Obama said. “So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.” Obama said he seeks a new start that is based on mutual interest and mutual respect — “one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles, principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.” … (more)
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 | | President Obama at the D-Day 65th Anniversary Ceremony in Normandy. |
Heroes of D-Day Changed the Course of an Entire CenturyIt was unknowable on June 6, 1944, but much of the progress that defined the 20th century began when Allied forces stormed a slice of French beach only six miles long and two miles wide, President Obama said in a speech commemorating the 65th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.
“What we must not forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and the selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century,” Obama said at the elegantly maintained American Cemetery above Omaha Beach near Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy. Unlike the overcast day 65 years ago, the afternoon commemoration took place under beautiful skies.
It was at Omaha and similar beaches with code names like Juno, Sword, Gold and Utah and at Point du Hoc that the Allied armies of Britain, Canada, Poland, the Free French and the United States landed in the largest amphibious landing in modern history, aided by daring behind-the-lines airborne landings of American and British paratroopers … (more)
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Embassy Sponsors Winnebago Man
This (sometimes hilarious) award winning documentary deals with issues of privacy, internet bullying, aging and how even the most rambunctious individuals have a human side. A poignant documentary, Winnebago Man explores the transformational possibilities of the human condition and power of the internet. Winnebago Man will be screening as part of the NZ Film Festival on Sunday, July 19 
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