FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2023
Contact: Kevin McGuire – 202-538-2386
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Co-Chair of the Congressional Croatian Caucus, released the following statement following the Senate’s confirmation of Nathalie Rayes to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Croatia.
“Nathalie Rayes is a proven leader and public servant with extensive experience in the private and public sectors who is dedicated to building cross-cultural relationships and will be a great Ambassador to Croatia. As a trusted EU ally and fellow NATO member, the United States and Croatia have deep economic cultural, and security ties. Ms. Rayes’ years of expertise in international affairs will deepen partnerships between the two nations and build upon 30 years of diplomatic ties. Nathalie established the City of Los Angeles’ first Office of Immigrant Affairs and she also worked to develop close ties and sister-city relationships with cities in El Salvador, Lebanon, and Italy. She has shown an ability to build consensus across a broad range of stakeholders in her work as CEO of Latino Victory and has further enhanced her foreign affairs and policy experience through her work as member of the U.S. Institute for Peace Board of Directors, and her time in the State Department. Nathalie is exceedingly qualified for this Ambassadorship and will be the first Latina in this position.
As the representative of a large Croatian-American population in my district and Co-Chair of the Congressional Croatian Caucus, I have full confidence that Ambassador Rayes is the right person for the job and wish her well in her new position!”
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