June 9, 2006

OLYMPIA… A long-time supporter of Peruvian firefighters, police and international trade, Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, is being honored at a reception and gala dinner Wednesday, June 14, hosted by the Consul of Peru at the Terra Blanca Winery and Estate in Benton City.

“Senator Jerome Delvin is a tireless advocate for Peru and its people,” said Miguel A. Valasquez, Consul of Peru. “This night we want to share our country and its beauty with the people of the Tri-Cities. And we want to thank Senator Delvin for his work on our behalf and his ongoing friendship and support.”

Delvin first visited Peru in 1980, returning eight times. It was on a 2001 trip to start a professional exchange program between law enforcement officers and firefighters from there and Washington that Delvin noticed Peruvian firefighters in cities larger than Seattle used fire trucks and gear that were many decades old. In 2003, then Rep. Delvin introduced House Bill 1494, which allowed fire trucks, surplus firefighting gear and search and rescue equipment to be sold, leased, transferred or otherwise moved to foreign countries. It was signed into law in 2003, opening the way for Washington state to donate surplus public property to the government of Peru.

“Thanks to Senator Delvin’s bill,” said Valasquez, “we have been able to upgrade our firefighting equipment, with life-saving features we could have only dreamed about. Last year, we honored this effort by naming our newest facility, “The Washington State Firehouse.”

The dinner will feature honored guest, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who will reminisce on his visit to Peru, and an internationally acclaimed Peruvian opera singer, who will entertain the 150 Tri-Cities area guests. Two famous Peruvian chefs will prepare the six-course meal, which will showcase Washington wines.

“My friendship with the Peruvian government, firefighters and police, and the ability to get them equipment that has made a difference has been one of the deepest satisfactions of my life,” said Delvin. “I’m now working to encourage mutually beneficial trade between Washington and Peru, particularly agricultural products and our exceptional wines.”

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Additional contact: Pat Albright at (360) 786-7519 or Albright.Pat@leg.wa.gov