Consul General David E. Brown Remarks During the Visit to Heifer China Pengzhou Earthquake Rehabilitation Project, Lingshi Village, Hongyan Town

Consul General David E. Brown
U.S. Consulate General Chengdu

Remarks During the Visit to Heifer China Pengzhou Earthquake Rehabilitation Project
Lingshi Village, Hongyan Town

Senior Vice President for Marketing & Fundraising - Steve Stirling

Vice President for Asia/South Pacific Program – Dr. Mahendra Lohani 

Country Director of Heifer in China – Cheng Tai Yong

Officials from Pengzhou County government:

Animal Husbandry Bureau –

White Water River Natural Projection Area:

Community Project Leader/Political Leader-

Lingshi Village Chief/Local Official -

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning. 

I am very pleased to join Heifer here today to see the Pengzhou Earthquake Rehabilitation Project firsthand and to have the opportunity to meet some of the families directly involved in this project.

The terrible toll from last year’s earthquake moved members of the Chinese and international community very deeply.  Equally as moving was the demonstration of the strong spirit of volunteerism among Chinese people and their extraordinary outpouring of support following tragedy.  Your many friends overseas, including many U.S. businesses and humanitarian organizations, also rushed to join you in your efforts to restore normalcy in abnormal conditions. 

The linking of the U.S. private sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, along with the Chinese determination to not be defeated by tragedy, has resulted in many impressive examples of cooperation.  This Heifer Project is one remarkable example of that cooperation.

Since 1944, Heifer has helped 8.5 million people in more than 125 countries develop sustainable livelihoods by providing families with livestock and training.  It has also, for the past 20 years, used that same model in Chinese communities. I am pleased to see that this model has now come to Lingshi.

So, on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu, congratulations to the Heifer organization, and even more importantly, congratulations to this community as you reach this important milestone in the project.  As you receive these animals today, you will help develop sustainable livelihoods for many in your own community, and then you too will pass that gift on to your neighbors.

Congratulations to you all and thank you very much.

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