Remarks for Election Night

November 4, 2008

Buenas Noches!

Ladies and Gentleman, distinguished guests, it is truly a pleasure for Janet and me to welcome everyone.  It is a great honor to represent President Bush and the United States of America here in El Salvador.  Tonight, we are gathering to celebrate what is the cornerstone of democracy, the election of a new leader. 

Every election is special but tonight’s election is historic.  For on this day, with the election of either John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin, or Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden, the United States will show the evolving and inclusive nature of American democracy. 

Democracy is not just about giving people a voice in who they choose to lead them, but it is about a system that changes and grows to mirror the society around it.  When the United States was founded, the right to vote was given to only white, land-owning males. 

More than 200 years later, our democratic system has grown to include all Americans — both as voters and as candidates.  Over a million Salvadoran immigrants to the United States who have become naturalized U.S. citizens will have had the chance to cast their vote today.  We’re proud of that.

As the American people head to the polls today, they will pick someone to represent them to make some of the most important decisions of our time.  Senators McCain and Obama have had every opportunity to express their ideas on how to govern if elected — through debates and town hall meetings all across the country.  Even while disagreeing on philosophy and visions of the future, they have shown great respect for each other as individuals and have honored America in the process.

But whoever wins the election, the important thing to remember tonight is that even though leaders change, our relationship with El Salvador will endure. 

The elections in both our countries provides an excellent time to reflect on the relationship between the United States and El Salvador as it has strengthened and grown during the eight years of the Bush Administration.  The year in which President Bush took office was a tumultuous time for both El Salvador and the United States – earthquakes in El Salvador and the terror attacks of 9/11 left scars on both our nations.  However, despite these tragedies, our two nations forged closer ties and emerged stronger and more united. 

The United States is proud of the relationship that we have with El Salvador.  It is based upon mutual respect and shared goals.  These goals have translated into important programs, such the Millennium Challenge Compact, CAFTA, the Transnational Anti-Gang Unit, ILEA and the recent signing of the anti-gang initiative.  You have recently witnessed President Bush’s announcement to extend Temporary Protective Status for 240,000 Salvadoran immigrants.  These are all initiatives that benefit both the US and El Salvador, and have life cycles that go well into the next U.S. Administration.  We of course are eternally grateful for El Salvador’s support in the Global War on Terror, serving side by side with our soldiers in Iraq.

As Ambassador, I want assure the Salvadoran people that while tonight the face of American Government will change, our commitment to El Salvador will not

So, ladies and gentleman, again thank you for joining us this evening, and for witnessing history in the making.  Elections are always a celebration of democracy; and democracy is always a celebration of the voices of the people it represents.