“It is impossible to have or find another person with the merit that you have to receive the San Carlos medal. Thank you, Speaker Hastert. You are a great friend of Colombia” the Head of State said after decorated Speaker Hastert for his help in every decision that the United States has made.

Bogotá, May 26 (SP). The President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, honor the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, John Dennis Hastert, with the San Carlos medal, for showing the truth about Colombian people to the Congress of his country, and for being a close friend, due to his resolute support in the discussion and approval of different cooperation programs as well as initiatives between both countries.

The Foreign Minister Jaime Bermúdez and the Commander of the Armed Forces and Defense Minister (in charge) general Freddy Padilla were also at the ceremony where President Uribe showed gratitude to Hastert for be “in the first line of our friends who have helped us in every moment”

“We will never forget that time when you came to Colombia to approve Plan Colombia, in the year 2000 and before. Plan Colombia was an excellent decision, a step forward. It was the first practical aid that we received from the entire world and you were one of the greatest leaders of Plan Colombia” the Colombian Leader pointed.

President Uribe also thanked Hastert for the help in every decision that the United States has made.

“Those unilateral trade preferences had your support voice. The negotiations for our bilateral Free Trade Agreement found in you a great sponsor. Now the Colombian people are hopeful that, with friends like you, we can have the ratification of our FTA”, he added.

According to the 4275 decree of November 11 2008, the San Carlos medal was given to Speaker Hastert because as legislator “he showed great interest as Representative, and then as Speaker of the House of Representatives, for getting close with the reality of Colombian people and made significant efforts for showing it to the American Congress, achieving a more direct and closer relation”
“This medal was created to recognize those Colombians and foreigners who have served our country in an outstanding way. When we look at the merit, it is impossible to have or find another person, with the merit that you have, to receive the San Carlos medal.

Thank you, Speaker Hastert. You are a great friend of Colombia”, he finished.

As for the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, he thanked for the honor and assured that he has worked together with President Uribe, because he believes in the goodness of the Colombian people and in its democracy.

“Thank you so much from the bottom of my hearth. This democracy which is the oldest democracy in South America, have worked hard to overcome many problems. We are, indeed, friends on a national basis. We do understand, between the United States and Colombia, the need to work together. But the need to work together begins in personal friendship, and I pledge mine. Thank you” Hastert said.