Mr. Larsen is co-chair of the Norway Caucus in the House of Representatives. Norway is engaged in peace and reconcilliation efforts around the world, but an active engagement by the United States is necessary to achieve successful results, according to the Ambassador. “I cannot think of any global challenge or regional conflict where we don’t need the U.S. to be engaged, whether we are talking about climate change, energy, international security, regional conflicts, or poverty reduction,” he said.
There are as many as 350,000 people of Norwegian descent in Washington State, and 50,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mr. Strommen will tour historical and educational institutions which have been instrumental in cultivating Norwegian-American relations – such as the Nordic Heritage Museum and Pacific Lutheran University, where he will hold public speeches. He will also open the Norway Day Festival in San Francisco, a festival visited by 5,000 people annually.
Program highlights
May 1: The Ambassador meets with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, gives public speech at Pacific Lutheran University, and tours the Nordic Heritage Museum, where he also meets with leaders of 60 regional Norwegian-American organizations.
May 2: Visit to the Leif Erikson Lodge of the Sons of Norway, the Department for Scandinavian Studies at the University of Washington, and aboard an American Seafoods Company fishing vessel. The Ambassador also meets with Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA)
May 3: Mr. Strommen opens the annual Norway Day Festival in San Francisco, and participates in related activities throughout the day.