2009 Programs and Events
The traditional U.S. Independence Day picnic took place at the open-air stage at Mezaparks on Sunday. The picnic hosted by the U.S. Embassy's Charge D'Affaires Bruce Rogers gathered about 1000 guests, including many Latvian and American families. Among the guests were Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, the new Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs, many diplomats, politicians, NGO representatives, businessmen and journalists.
Charge D'Affaires delivered an address, emphasizing the values that the United States and Latvia share. He expressed hope that bilateral relations between the United States and Latvia would continue to develop successfully. He declared: "God Bless America!" followed by "Dievs sveti Latviju!"