Durham mayor heading to Saudi Arabia
Durham Mayor Bill Bell will join 10 other U.S. mayors on a trip to Saudi Arabia May 7-14, thanks to an invitation from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington.
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The mayors will learn about the Saudi economy, its educational system, culture, people and government, the City of Durham announced Monday.
They will meet high-ranking Saudi business people and government officials, as well as high school and university students.
The delegation will also travel to one of the world’s largest oil fields, which is in the Eastern Province. Delegation members are guests of the Saudi government, which is providing all funding for the mission, Durham officials said.
“This mission will make it possible to learn more about this important long-term ally of our country,” Bell said in a news release provided to the media. “We appreciate this opportunity to gain insights into the government, culture and people of this important Middle Eastern nation.”
Other members of the delegation include:
- J. Christian Bollwage, Elizabeth, N.J.
- Ardell F. Brede, Rochester, Minn.
- Mark Burroughs, Denton, Texas
- William D. “Bill” Euille, Alexandria, Va.
- Bill Gluba, Davenport, Iowa
- Phil Gordon, Phoenix, Az.
- Mark Mallory, Cincinnati
- John Marks, Tallahassee, Fla.
- James J. Schmitt, Green Bay, Wis.
- Mark Stodola, Little Rock, Ark.
