Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson shares warm letters from consular offices across the state — from France and Ireland to Mexico, Japan, Korea, and Poland — celebrating the country’s Semiquincentennial and Texas’ unique place in the American story
Announced Thursday, July 2, 2026 from the Texas Secretary of State’s office in Austin. Full messages available through the office’s social media channels.
Well neighbor, here’s a good-news story worth pausing on for a moment. As America gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday this weekend, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson opened the mail this week to something warm and unusual: a stack of congratulatory letters from consular offices representing more than a dozen countries stationed right here in Texas. Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Peru, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Vietnam, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic — nations from every corner of the world took the time to write and wish America a happy Semiquincentennial. And more than a few of them made a point to say something nice about Texas while they were at it.
“These thoughtful messages remind us that the ideals celebrated during America250 have inspired people well beyond our borders,” Nelson said in the announcement. “At a time when Americans are bombarded with news about world conflicts, I wanted to share these messages of goodwill to demonstrate that our global partnerships are strong and durable.”
Here’s a little context most folks don’t know. Texas is home to one of the largest and most active consular communities in the entire United States. Consulates are the smaller, more local cousins of embassies — they represent their nations’ interests, help their citizens abroad, build trade and cultural ties, and work with state and local governments on everything from disaster response to trade deals to student exchange programs. As Secretary of State, Nelson serves as the state’s Chief Protocol Officer and the main point of contact between Texas and that international community. When something big happens in the world — or, in this case, when something big happens right here — those relationships come to the surface.
And the letters themselves are worth reading. Some celebrated the country. Some celebrated Texas specifically. Some did both.
France, whose friendship with America was forged during the Revolution itself, wrote of a bond “built on shared history, mutual respect, and a long tradition of close cooperation.” Ireland offered a note that any Texan will smile at — pointing out that “the story of the Irish in America is evident too in the story of Texas,” and reminding us that four Irishmen signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Mexico wrote of a relationship “built over centuries on friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect,” highlighting the deep ties between Texas, Mexico, and the communities that have grown up on both sides of the border.
Germany described Texas as embodying “the dynamism, entrepreneurial spirit, and diversity that have contributed significantly to the nation’s strength.” The Republic of Korea praised the state’s “leadership in economic growth, innovation, energy, and global engagement.” Japan noted a friendship with Texas that continues to flourish through “close economic ties, active cultural exchange, and vibrant people-to-people connections.” Turkey pointed out that Texas is the country’s biggest trading partner in the entire United States. Vietnam called the state “a gateway for international commerce, innovation, energy development, and investment.”
The Philippines added one of the sweetest lines of the whole batch, calling Texans of Filipino heritage “a living bridge between our two peoples,” and noting that Texas is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Filipino American communities in the country. Denmark, which has maintained 225 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations with the United States, wrote that “Texas and Denmark share a spirit of entrepreneurship, resilience, and openness to new ideas.” Peru noted that this year marks not only America’s 250th but also 200 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, calling Texas “a key partner.” Poland, celebrating 250 years of friendship with America built on “shared values of freedom, democracy, and mutual respect,” joined in. So did Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Dominican Republic, each with their own reflections on the founding ideals the anniversary honors.
There’s something quietly powerful about a stack of letters like this. In a year when headlines can make the world feel small and anxious, a note from a diplomat in Austin or Houston reminding you that your state matters — that its friendships stretch across oceans, that its story has been shaped by immigrants from every one of these countries — hits a little differently. Nelson’s office plans to keep highlighting these partnerships as the state continues its America250 celebrations, and updates will be posted through the Secretary of State’s social media channels.
So as you fire up the grill this weekend, watch the fireworks with the family, and raise a glass to 250 years, take a beat to remember this. Texas doesn’t celebrate alone. Fifteen nations, stationed right here in our state, wrote to say so. Happy 250th, neighbor — from Texas, and from the world.
