A private reception was held to welcome Ambassador Rudolf Bekink of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States on Wednesday at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – Houston Branch. Listen

“Given the historically strong ties between the Netherlands and the United States, and especially between the Netherlands and Houston, we are deeply honored that the ambassador could be here today to share his insights with us.” said  Daron D. Peschel, vice president in charge of the Federal Reserve Bank Dallas- Houston Branch, welcoming guests from the Houston-Galveston region and beyond.  “When it comes to business, banking and a market economy, the Netherlands have a centuries leg up on the rest of us, as it is considered by economic historians as the first thoroughly capitalist country in the world.  Of course, they also know a thing or two about flood control.”

“I would like to extend a special welcome to Dr. William Merrell of Texas A&M and many of the 29 Houston and Galveston stakeholders who visited the Netherlands last week to get an impression of the extensive storm surge protection efforts that keep our country, which is 60 percent below sea level, safe from flood disasters,” said Honorary Consul Geert C. Visser.  “The Dutch are very interested in helping Houston and Galveston after Hurricane Ike.”

“I am very familiar with Texas and I am planning to come here a lot,” said Ambassador Bekink, whose wife is from Austin.  “Because many things are happening here from a perspective of bilateral ties.”

Ambassador Bekink said he hopes to establish a Sister City relationship between Houston and Rotterdam.

“I think that we in Holland share to a very large extent the norms and values that you keep high in this country,” he said.  “And I think in a troubled world, as the President said in his speech yesterday at the UN, in a troubled world it is important that we stick together.”

The sponsor of the reception was Mourik L.P.