THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
                                                                                                                  
For Immediate Release - June 14, 2006

 Bermuda Charities To Star in This Year’s  
US Independence Day Show

-- Comments of Gregory W. Slayton, US Chief of Mission --

Welcome one and all as the American Consulate and the American Society prepare to launch the first-ever charities-centered, corporate-driven US Independence Day Celebration in Bermuda’s history.  Thank you for taking time out of your day to meet with us this morning and thank you for agreeing to be a part of this patriotic endeavor.

While the most extravagant fireworks display in Bermuda’s history will light up the night at the end of the Celebration, a strong and steady spotlight will be shone throughout the evening on Bermuda’s best charities.  For the first time, in what we hope will be an annual tradition, the American Society’s July 4^th celebration – actually celebrated this year on July 1^st – will have an added feature, philanthropy.

This year’s Celebration boasts the central involvement of more than 50 Bermuda-registered charities, represented by you good volunteers and your associates. That involvement is embodied in the theme underpinning the festivities:  “Celebrating Freedom” and “Giving Back to Bermuda.”

“Giving Back” is something that over 40 Bermuda companies have already done by throwing their significant financial and moral support behind our Celebration.  As an aside, I want to take a moment here to recognize and to thank them for their outstanding effort. Their contribution was critical for the success of this event.  (A complete list of corporate sponsors is on the poster behind me.)

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors, fifty-five nonprofit organizations will realize direct benefits from their participation in the Celebration, with a substantial donation to each charity plus the opportunity to build membership. Over 300 volunteers such as yourselves have signed up to help with logistics or to provide the manpower for a variety of the fun activities that have been scheduled to appeal to all ages.

There can be no doubt:  your role and that of the other volunteers from your organizations is integral to the success of this year’s Independence Day event. Simply put, without your energy and dedication to the charity you represent, the Celebration could not go on as planned.  Nor would your organization have the opportunity to showcase its story, to tell potential members about its mission.

The advantage of nonprofits joining together at the largest July 4^th Celebration in Bermuda’s history is that scores of Bermuda charities will be assembled in one location, giving over 5,000 guests easy access to information about a variety of programs.  It is our hope that by featuring nonprofits, the focus will be on what we all can do to help others.  Giving back, celebrating freedom.  That is what it is all about.

As you can see from looking around, the registered charities associated with the Independence Day Celebration are diverse and cover a broad spectrum of causes.  There is something to appeal to everyone and it will be our job as hosts to encourage everyone to choose a charity, to be a part of the philanthropic effort.

 We appreciate your time today and thank you in advance for your time on July 1^st.  Together we can make a difference.  We are a team, and you are a key player.

Now I would like to turn it over to the American Society Nonprofit Co-chairs, Ms. Tina Stovell and Ms. Sonia Whayman, who will update you on the role of the charities in the Celebration and provide specific logistical information to make your job easier.