Dear Representative of Mayor Daley, Dear Representatives of the Consular Corps, Dear Representatives of our various French-American institutions, Dear American Friends,
In a few days, my wife Béatrice and I will be leaving the Great City of Chicago and the Midwest after three fulfilling years
First of all, I would like to thank Richard M. Daley, Mayor of the City of Chicago. Thanks to his leadership, a relationship based on trust, collaboration and friendship has been developed over the years with France and the City of Paris. It was a pleasure and an honor for me to accompany the Mayor and his delegation during their visit to Paris in September 2007. |
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Also, I can not emphasize enough the great support I have received from my team at the Consulate General of Chicago. They have demonstrated professionalism in their skills and dedication to public service. They should be proud of their hard work and accomplishments.
I would like to pay tribute to the French-American institutions of the Midwest. In particular, three such institutions stand out in Chicago, the Lycée Français, the Alliance Française, and the French-American Chamber of Commerce. Each organization admirably accomplishes their respective mission. Furthermore, they provide an environment where the spirit of friendship and camaraderie between France and the U.S. reigns.
I have enjoyed my time working and socializing with representatives from the Consular Corps in Chicago. I am impressed by the qualities of my colleagues and their ability to seamlessly move between their national culture and the local environment. The Consular Corps is a great asset for the countries they represent as well as for the City of Chicago.
The Consulate General of France in Chicago has been blessed with several strong and lasting partnerships which have been developed over the passed decade. Just to mention a few of our remarkable cooperations include, the French Chicago Center, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Northwestern University.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the French community in Chicago and more generally in the Midwest. For the past three years, it has been a pleasure serving this vibrant community. I will cherish the relationships I have developed with the French community as well as many American friends. |
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