A study of the duties and functions of foreign consuls in Houston, Texas

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1954

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Foreign consolates representing twenty-nine nations can be found within the City of Houston. Establishment of these consulates has been tied in very closely with the growth of Houston as a world trade center. The beginning of consular services in Houston can be traced back to 1920, when the Houston Chamber of Commerce set up the World Trade Department. This department was instrumental in securing the first consulate, which was established by Mexico. Other consular posts have been set up in the years since with the World Trade Department serving as a guiding force in attracting more consulates. This thesis is concerned with a study of the duties and functions of the foreign consuls located in Houston. Career and honorary consuls are represented in Houston. Fifteen of the twenty-nine consulates are headed by career officers, who are foreign service officials from their respective countries. Honorary officers are in charge of the remaining fourteen consulates. The classes of career consuls are consuls general, consuls, vice consuls, deputy consuls, and chancellors. Consuls and vice consuls are the two classifications of honorary consuls. Officers not of career and office workers constitute the remaining personnel represented at the Houston posts. The consul's work relating to commerce and navigation is generally considered among his most important. This is true in Houston with the exception of the Consul of "Trance, who is relieved, of all duties relating to the promotion of commerce. Sweden and British Consulates have the most extensive trade promotion programs, and the amount of work carried out by the other consulates in developing trade varies according to individual programs. The consul has certain assignments in looking after the affairs of navigation. These are concerned mainly with services to vessels flying his country's flag. The work done by the consul for fellow countrymen is varied and interesting if at times unpleasant, but it is considered one of his first duties. Issuing visas and supplying information to tourists cover the main consular functions for persons other than nationals. Additional activities which receive the consul's attention include general reporting, cultural undertakings, social affairs, and public relations work. A survey of the duties and functions performed at Houston Consulates produces evidence of the worth of these establishments to the sending as well as-receiving country. Assigned to expand and enhance the commercial and cultural relations between countries, consuls have made a contribution to Houston's growth as a world trade center and have rendered noteworthy services to the area under their jurisdiction.

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