On January 26, 2009 at the Embassy of Latvia Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics hosted a reception in honor of the 88th anniversary of Latvia’s international "de jure" recognition and the unveiling of a portrait gallery of Latvia’s former Ambassadors. The portrait gallery contains photographs of all heads of Latvia’s Mission to the United States since 1922, the year the United States officially recognized the Republic of Latvia. Portraits of Ludvigs Seja, Alfreds Bilmanis, Julijs Feldmans, Arnolds Spekke, Anatols Dinbergs, Ojars Kalnins, Aivis Ronis and Maris Riekstins on display in the gallery, housed in the Embassy’s Library. During the event Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics presented awards of recognition from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Maris Riekstins to Daina Block, Principal of the Washington, DC area Latvian school; Daris Delins, Latvia’s Honorary Consul in New York; and Edgars Trumkalns, 1st Secretary at the Embassy of Latvia. The reception was attended by representatives of the State Department, foreign diplomats, friends and colleagues of the former Ambassadors. Ambassador Pildegovics was especially honored that among the guests were the widow of Ambassador Anatols Dinbergs, as well as relatives of Arnolds Spekke. Three former US Ambassadors to Latvia were also in attendance.