Ron Kirk to represent US at Noynoy's inauguration

President Barack Obama named last Friday Trade Representative Ron Kirk to lead the presidential delegation to Manila, to attend the inauguration of president-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III and vice president-elect Jejomar Binay on Wednesday, June 30. Also named part of the delegation is US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr., according to a White House press release.

As United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Kirk is a member of President Obama's Cabinet and serves as the principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. Ambassador Kirk was nominated to be USTR by President Obama and was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 18, 2009. During his tenure at USTR, Kirk led the office in developing trade policies that are proactive, responsible, and more responsive to American families' interests – recognizing that trade can be a job-creating pillar of economic recovery in the United States and around the world. Among the highlights of trade policies under Kirk are a new focus on assistance to America's small- and medium-sized businesses, increased enforcement efforts to bring home the benefits of existing trade agreements, and changes to move forward the Doha Round of world trade negotiations. Ambassador Kirk draws upon more than 25 years of diverse legislative and economic experience on local, state and federal levels. As the first African American mayor of Dallas from 1995 - 2001, Ambassador Kirk expanded Dallas' reach to the world through a range of trade programs, including numerous trade missions. Previously, he served as Texas Secretary of State under Governor Ann Richards; as a legislative aide to US. Prior to joining USTR, Kirk was a partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP. He was named one of "The 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by The National Law Journal in 2008, and one of the nation's top government relations lawyers by The Best Lawyers in America from 2007-2009. Ambassador Kirk was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and sociology from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1979. He is married to Matrice Ellis-Kirk. He and his wife have two daughters, Elizabeth Alexandra and Catherine Victoria. — LBG, GMANews.TV