Today is 'Canada Day' at Iowa Statehouse

Iowa House, Senate Pass Resolutions Honoring Strong State Relations with Canada

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Iowa State Senate and the State House of Representatives passed resolutions honoring the economic, social and cultural ties the state shares with Canada and declared it "Canada Day at the Statehouse."

Canada's top diplomat in the Upper Midwest, Consul General Martin Loken, spoke separately to the Senate and House chambers before the resolutions were considered. In his remarks, Loken said Canada and the United States have a relationship that is unique in the world – and particularly relevant to Iowa.  

"Canada is Iowa's number one export market," Loken said. "Canada and Iowa traded almost $8 billion worth of goods in 2008. Our economies are intertwined, and that's a benefit for both of us."  

The resolutions passed in the House and Senate said each "...honors the relationships between the peoples and the governments of Canada, the United States, and Iowa, allies in war, friends and neighbors in peace, and partners in economic prosperity..."

"While the eyes of the United States and indeed the world are on Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the Olympics, it's important to note that the United States and Canada possess a very special and positive relationship every day of the year," said Senator Daryl Beall, a member of the US-Canada Relations Committee of the Midwest Legislative Conference. "I am delighted the Consul General is visiting the Iowa Statehouse. We are humbled and honored by his visit."

Iowa sold $3.5 billion in goods to Canada in 2008, including steel products, oilseed cake and meal, organic chemicals and tractors, among other things.  78,000 Iowa jobs are supported by Canada-US trade.

"Canada values our relationship with Iowa. We are honored to be at the Statehouse today and to have Iowa's representatives and senators recognize our strong partnership," added Loken.

Loken is appointed by Canada's Prime Minister to represent the Government of Canada in the Upper Midwest region. Located in Minneapolis, Canada's Consulate General works to promote trade and investment links, to engage citizens and decision-makers on matters of shared interest, and to assist Canadians living and traveling in the US. 2010 is the 40th anniversary of the Consulate General's presence in the Upper Midwest.  More information is available at www.minneapolis.gc.ca.

SOURCE Consulate General of Canada

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