Foreign Service Officer Patrick Branco Invited To Attend The State Of The Union

WASHINGTON– Senator Brian Schatz has invited Patrick Branco, 25, from Kailua, as his guest to the State of the Union.  Branco entered the Foreign Service in September of 2012, and will commence his service in June as the Assistant Information Officer in the U.S. Embassy, Bogota, Colombia. 

“In just a few short years, Patrick has demonstrated a clear commitment to public service and dedication to the State of Hawaii through his work in the state legislature and his time in Washington, D.C,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “He is an incredible representative of the future of Hawaii, and I am proud to give him the opportunity to hear President Obama’s plan for issues that will certainly affect his generation like climate change, strengthening our economy, and helping middle-class families.”

“I am honored that Senator Schatz has given me this once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the State of the Union,” said Patrick. “I look forward to hearing from the President on how he will tackle the challenges that are before our nation today.”

Patrick Branco was raised in Kailua, Hawaii, and is a 2005 Kamehameha Schools graduate.  He received a Presidential Scholarship from Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), where he double majored  in International Relations and Political Science and served as Student Body President.  In spring 2008, Patrick received a Study and Work Scholarship from Sogang University in Seoul where he studied Korean Language and strategic management.   During his undergraduate studies, Patrick worked as an intern and then legislative aide at the Hawaii State Legislature and the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council.  In the summer of 2010, he interned for the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment chaired by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega.  In Washington D.C., Patrick received his Master’s at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) focusing on international economics with a regional specialization in Korea Studies.  Patrick Branco was one of 20 recipients, and the first from Hawaii, selected as a Congressman Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship, which tracked him to the U.S. Foreign Service.  He entered the Foreign Service in September of 2012, and will commence his service in June as the Assistant Information Officer in the U.S. Embassy, Bogota, Colombia. 

###