Former U.S. Ambassador Heather M. Hodges Speeches

Ambassador Heather M. Hodges' Remarks at the First Annual U.S. Embassy Alumni Congress

Academy of Economic Studies
October 18, 2003

 

Ambassador Heather M. Hodges' Remarks at the First Annual U.S. Embassy Alumni Congress

Domnule Prim Ministru, Doamna Cezara, Doamnelor si Domnilor: este o placere sa fiu cu dumneavoastra aici, in aceasta dimineata. Imi pare deosebit de bine pentru faptul ca primul meu discurs public in calitate de Ambasador al Statelor Unite ale Americii in Moldova este in fata absolventilor programelor de schimb ale Ambasadei SUA. Deoarece sunt noua aici, Romana mea nu este inca foarte buna, de aceea am sa continui in Engleza.

Participants in our exchange programs are among the most educated, diverse, and knowledgeable citizens of Moldova. Together, your expertise draws from nearly every field. Some of you are not yet twenty years old, and some of you are a few times that. Most of you speak two, three, or four languages. You have observed different cultures, political systems, and educational and business institutions. While some of you already do, I am confident that in a few years time many more of you will populate the upper tiers of the business, political, academic, and arts communities.

But, knowledge and expertise must be combined with action. Many problems continue to impede Moldova's progress; all countries have problems and we look to you to help solve Moldova's problems. Tomorrow does not have to be like today. Moldova is changing - and you can make that change take the right direction.

Some of you may know that I have spent many years in Spain. One of my favorite Spanish writers, Miguel de Cervantes, once said, "He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all." To create change - to take hold of an oar and move the ship in a new direction - takes courage. I believe that the courage that made you want to go to the United States and experience new things is the same courage that can propel you to the top of your field and help you to change Moldova.

Today, at this First Annual Congress of U.S. Embassy Alumni, I hope you will meet new people, get to know your alumni colleagues, and realize how you together can make Moldova a more prosperous democracy. I hope you will use your energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to make Moldova into the best place it can be.

Moldova's future is in your hands. I am confident that, with you manning the oars, the future of Moldova is bright.