In honor of Mexican Independence Day, Mexican Consul General Carlos Gonzalez-Gutierrez will come to Sacramento State to give a lecture about the relations between California and Mexico.

The lecture, titled “Mexico and California: Together 200 Years,” will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday in the University Union Ballroom. The event is free and open to Sac State students.

As a consul general, Gutierrez’s role is to facilitate relations between Mexico and this region, said Sheree Meyer, associate dean of undergraduate studies and academic affairs.

His lecture will focus on political and economic relations between California and Mexico, Meyer said.

“Since we’re celebrating 200 years, he will explain what the future of that relationship will be,” Meyer said. “We need to have a broader context of what’s going on in Mexico. I really see this as an educational opportunity for all of us.”

The relationship between Mexico and California has always been intense, said Victor Pelaez, Mexican consul of political affairs. The idea is to move forward and strengthen the relationship in terms of geography, economy and demographics.

Pelaez said the event is relevant to Sac State students because of the number of people of Mexican descent living in California.

Aside from sharing a border with Mexico, California has nearly 10 million people of Mexican descent. This is almost one-third of the state’s population.

In Gutierrez’s jurisdiction, which covers 24 counties in Northern and Central California and counties on the border of Oregon and Nevada, there are about 800,000 people of Mexican descent.

Prior to being appointed general consul, Gutierrez has held positions serving Mexican communities, such as consul of community affairs at the Mexican consulate in Los Angeles, counselor for Latin affairs at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., and executive director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad.

Gutierrez, who could not be reached for an interview, has had extensive experience and is well-prepared to handle issues related to the Mexican and Mexican-American communities in the United States, Pelaez said.

Gutierrez’s three main missions are to serve the Mexican and Mexican-American communities, as well as U.S. citizens who travel to Mexico, to give legal advice and assistance to Mexicans and to handle relations with each level of government, Pelaez said.

Laila Barakat can be reached at [email protected].