 Today the U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort begins its medical support for the people of Ecuador. Our first mission stop of five over an 11-week period here in the Southern Hemisphere. Working with health and government partners in Ecuador, the embarked medical team will provide care onboard this ship as well as at two sites ashore. This deployment reflects the United States' enduring promise to the peoples of Ecuador and other Latin American nations of our friendship, our partnership and our solidarity. The foundation of our successful cooperation is trust and shared values. We build trust every day as we engage with partners in support of different missions. It builds trust through successful cooperation and positively impacts lives that will last much longer than the time that this ship is here in your waters. This mission will enable us to strengthen ties in support of our enduring partnerships with the people of Central and South America. A partnership that will enhance our shared values, interests and community and a commitment to unity, security and stability within the region. God bless the people of Ecuador.