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Philippine Consul General Meets 27July to December
US Congressman Crowley 2017
PH Consul General Meets
US Congresswoman Meng
Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega (left) and US Congressman (L-R) Mr. Steven Raga, Congresswoman Meng, Consul General de Vega, and
Joseph Crowley (right) during their meeting in New York Consul Arman R. Talbo during their meeting in Flushing, Queens .
Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega met Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega met
with US Congressman Joseph Crowley (D), US Congress yesterday with US Congresswoman Grace Meng (Democrat)
Representative of New York's 14th Congressional district of the Sixth Congressional District of New York encompassing
and chairman of the Democratic Caucus, the 4th highest the New York City borough of Queens, including west, central
ranking position in the House Democratic Leadership. and northeast Queens. The meeting was held at the
Congresswoman's district office in Flushing, Queens.
Consul General de Vega and Congressman
Crowley discussed the bilateral relations between the Consul General de Vega gave an overview of the
Philippines and the United States, noting the long shared bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United
history and values between the two countries. States and discussed with Congresswoman Meng the issues
concerning the Filipino-American community in New York, a
The Consul General updated the Congressman on significant number of whom reside or are engaged in business
the recent developments in the Philippines, including the in her district.
upcoming ASEAN Summit in November and the
participation of President Donald Trump. Consul General Consul General de Vega and Congresswoman Meng
Dizon-De Vega extended an invitation to Congressman likewise discussed ways through which the Filipino-American
Crowley to join the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus and community could get more involved in political and social
to visit the Philippines in the future to meet officials and be activities in the district, including voter registration and
updated on developments concerning Philippines-US membership in community and advisory boards. They both
relations. recognized the significant contributions made by Fil-Ams and
other Asian-Americans in the development of the district in
Issues concerning the Filipino-American community Queens.
like healthcare and immigration were likewise discussed and
both the Consul General and Congressman Crowley agreed Congresswoman Meng is the first Asian American
that any assistance or clarifications extended to existing Member of Congress from New York State, and the only
DACA recipients affected by recent changes in US Congressional member of Asian descent in the entire
immigration rules are most welcome and should continue. Northeast. She is a listed member and supporter of the
Philippine-US Friendship Caucus in the US Congress.
The Consulate’s Political Officer Consul Arman
Talbo and Ms. Mirna Velasquez, Director of Immigration and Consul Arman Talbo, Political Officer of the Consulate
Consular Affairs of the Office of Congressman Crowley also General, and Mr. Steven Raga, an active Fil-Am community
participated in the meeting. leader in the district and a delegate to the 2012 Fil-Am Youth
Leadership Program (FYLPro), also participated in the
meeting. Congresswoman Meng was joined by Jacqueline A.
Hsieh, Director of Intergovernmental and District Affairs .
Consul General de Vega (left), Congressman Crowley (center), and Consul Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega (L) and Congresswoman
Arman Talbo (right) discuss issues affecting the Filipino-American Community Grace Meng (R) of the Sixth Congressional District of New York.
in New York.

