Historic Speech by Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon to a Joint Session of the California Legislature

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Here is the complete speech given by President Felipe Calderon this last week to the California legislature in joint session in the Assembly Chambers. Calderon delivered the speech in English, and was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who was born in Tijuana, Mexico.

Honorable members of the California State Assembly and Senate, Amigas y amigos:

It is truly an honor to be with you in this historic chamber.

I want to especially thank Fabian Núñez, the Speaker of this Assembly, and Gloria Romero, the Senate Majority Leader.

We want to build an alliance with the government and the people of this State for the prosperity, security and environmental sustainability of both Mexico and California.

I believe that some of the issues that tend to divide us should really unite us.

First, Mexico has been working hard to improve security, particularly on our border. But in order to move faster on this matter, we need the cooperation of California and the United States. If we collaborate, we will succeed in making our border a safer place.

Second, I am personally committed to promoting sustainable development. I feel particularly attached to California, due to the commitment this great State has shown in the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Third, while my government is committed to protecting the rights of all Mexicans, including those living beyond our borders, we are taking great efforts to ensure that in future no Mexican needs to leave our country to find job opportunities elsewhere.

Collaboration and shared responsibility should be the basis of our relationship, because the prosperity of California and the prosperity of Mexico can only be fully realized if we work together.