SACRAMENTO – Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa has accepted the invitation of California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez to pay an official state visit to Sacramento on February 13, 2008. He will address a joint session of the California legislature, the highlight of his visit to the state capital, during a five-city tour of the United States.

It will be President Calderón’s first visit to the U.S. since being sworn in as President in December 2006.

Today the visit was formally approved by the Mexican Congress, which must approve all official out-of-country travel for the President.

“It is an enormous honor and a testament to the strong trade and cultural relationships that California has with Mexico that during President Calderón’s first visit to the United States he will address the California Legislature,” said Speaker Núñez. “President Calderón is a thoughtful leader with a solid record who will help us build on the mutually beneficial relationship between California and our largest trading partner.”

The Speaker will have a half-hour private meeting with the President, and will greet him with Governor Schwarzenegger. The President will also join the Governor and the Speaker at a formal lunch.

Speaker Núñez met with President Calderón at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last year.

President Vincente Fox spoke to the joint session of the California legislature on May 25, 2006.