Representative Thelma Drake joined the “Congressional Romania Caucus”

Congresswoman Thelma Drake met Anton Samoila, Honorary Consul of Romania to Norfolk, VA

Congresswoman Thelma Drake joined the Congressional Romania Caucus in the US House of Representatives becoming the newest member of the Caucus.

Shortly after being sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives on January 4, 2005 , Thelma Drake was appointed to serve on the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. In addition to her seats on these key committees, Representative Drake will be a member of the House Republican Policy Committee, which plays an integral role in shaping the House Republican position on major policy initiatives.

The Congressional Romania Caucus was launched on July 12 th , 2006 with the support of the group's initial Co-Presidents, Curt Weldon (R, Pa) and Solomon Ortiz (D, TX). The main objectives on the Caucus agenda are mainly related to increasing Romania's visibility within the US Congress, consolidating Romania's strategic relation with US, continuing US military assistance, the placing of US military facilities on Romanian territory, promoting US investments in Romania, in the context of the increased business opportunities and the three-fold growth of the bilateral trade in the past three years.

Another main objective focuses on the promoting Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program Campaign, a process that implies Romania's preparation for accomplishing the necessary terms and conditions, as well as initiating an active promotion campaign, together with the Romanian community, at the US Congress, the institution with decision powers in this respect.