Last week, I addressed the World Affairs Council in San Antonio, Texas. I spoke to them about the urgency with which I feel we ought to view our relationship with Mexico. The full text of my remarks in English is available online here. For those of you that read Mexico's Excélsior, this is the speech that Mario Melgar referenced in his column.

I also thought you might find J.P. Morgan's recently released publication, Mexico 101: The 2010 Country Handbook of value. I've seen a lot of these country assessments and found this one to be particularly good for those looking to understand the market here. At 70 pages, it's a large file, but you can download it here.

On other fronts, White & Case was recently recognized by Latin Lawyer with two Deal of the Year awards in Latin America, one for our work on a derivatives restructuring for Gruma, one of the largest food product companies in the world, and one for our representation of the Republic of Peru in an energy arbitration matter. You can read more about the awards online here and to learn more about our capabilities in Mexico City, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

And, finally, a quick plug for my partner at ViaNovo, Matt Dowd. Matt takes the reins as guest host for ABC's This Week on Sunday. A regular political contributor to ABC News, Matt's presence as host of This Week will show an even wider audience the keen insight and astute analysis he affords our ViaNovo clients regularly. Check your local listings for the broadcast in your area or watch the show online here.

If I or my colleagues can be of help to you, please don't hesitate to contact me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

With best wishes, I am,

Sincerely,

Antonio O. Garza

Hemispheric Truths

Excerpts from Ambassador Garza's remarks at the World Affairs Council (San Antonio, Texas) on February 24, 2010

...Each of you understands the realities of a relationship that is far more complex than the heated sound bites over immigration and trade would lead us to believe.

And, I don't have to tell you that with more than a billion dollars of trade a day between our two countries and one million plus people crossing that border each day our relationship with Mexico is unique.

But, what I'll ask you to do tonight is begin to view Mexico as more than a neighbor and country we trade with and to view Mexico as a fully fledged strategic partner.

Read the full speech here.