The Consul General of France in Atlanta, Pascal Le Deunff, will visit North Carolina in December, his first visit to the Tar Heel State since his September appointment.

While here Dec. 1 through 3, Le Denuff will bestow the Legion of Honor upon three American WWII Veterans from North Carolina; meet with elected officials, university officials, and representatives of economic development authorities to find grounds of cooperation with France; and to meet with the French community of both Raleigh and Charlotte.

On Dec. 1, at the House of Representatives of the former State Capitol, Le Deunff will bestow the Legion of Honor upon veterans Woodrow D. Casey, Robert W. Pyle and Earl W. Norwood.

The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France and recipients of this honor are designated by the President of the Republic. They will receive this award in recognition for their courage. Among their many heroic deeds, they participated in the Normandy landings, which were decisive in the liberation of France.

The Consul General of France will also meet with the Mayor of Raleigh, Charles Meeker, the Mayor of Charlotte, Pat McCrory, the President of Duke University, Richard H. Brodhead and representatives of economic development authorities.

Pascal Le Deunff is convinced that, despite the unfavorable economic environment, this region offers grounds for cooperation with France. Both France and North Carolina share a common strong commitment for scientific and economic innovation.

Finally, the Consul General will meet with the French Community, especially from the economic arena. He will visit the French company Biomérieux and be the guest speaker of the French-American Chamber of Commerce of North Carolina’s Winter Diner.