WILLEMSTAD - A bipartisan delegation of seven members of the United States House of Representatives, led by Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ), visited Curacao on April 24, 2019.

“We discussed a variety of issues of mutual interest, including the crisis in Venezuela, its impact on the refinery, and Curacao’s role as a humanitarian hub for aid for Venezuelans; an effort supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This important visit amplifies our shared commitment to increase security, prosperity, and wellbeing of the people of the United States and Curacao,” Consul General Hawthorne said.

The delegation met with Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath, Justice Minister Quincy Girigorie, Finance Minister Kenneth Gijsbertha, Members of Curacao’s Parliament, and representatives of the Curacao Refinery (RdK) and the Project Management Organization (PMO). The Members of Congress also visited the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue.

Congressman Sires is the Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and also serves on the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, as well as the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He is focused on improving human rights and freedoms across the globe and building international partnerships to improve security in the United States.

The other Members of Congress in the delegation were Representative Ted Yoho of Florida, Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, Representative Ted Deutch of Florida, Representative Tom Graves of Georgia, Representative Norma Torres of California, and Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico.