THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
                                                                                                                                                           
For Immediate Release                                                                                             May 5, 2008

 

America's Birthday Celebration:
"Become a Volunteer for Bermuda";
Comments of U.S. Consul General Gregory W. Slayton

 

1.      Greetings and thank you, Premier Brown, for allowing us to meet in your new press facility.  Thank you also for joining us today to kick-off this year’s Independence Day Celebration.

 

2.      A special welcome to the Honorary Event Chairpersons: 

• Premier, Dr. the Honorable Ewart Brown, JP, MP (whose ministry is also a premium sponsor)
  
• Opposition Leader, the Honorable Mr. Kim Swan, JP, MP
  

 

3.      An especially warm welcome to our other 4 Premium Sponsors:

• Mr. Ralph Richardson, Executive Director,  ACE Foundation
  
• Mr. Michael Brennan, President & CEO, Bacardi International Ltd.
  
• Mr. Neill Currie, President & CEO, Renaissance Reinsurance
  
• Mr. Philip Cracknell, Vice President of Project Management, XL Foundation.
  

 

4.      WHY ARE WE HERE TODAY?

• To formally kick-off this year’s Independence Day Celebration.
  
• To thank our generous sponsors.
  
• To focus on the theme “Celebrating Freedom, Giving Back to Bermuda.”
  
• To generate excitement about volunteering.

 

5.      WHAT IS IT?  
 
- The largest July 4^th BBQ outside the U.S. - 6,000 guests.  There will be almost 100 field events and 4 live bands.  A spectacular fireworks show will end the evening.
- It is a team effort, led by the American Society of Bermuda and the American Consulate.
- Over 30 of Bermuda’s best charities will provide much of the manpower to make this event a success. Each participating charity will receive a minimum donation of $500 and have the opportunity to attract new members, which means ongoing benefits into the future.
- It is our generous corporate sponsors who make it happen & deserve much of the credit.

 

o   Our premium sponsors are here today and will say a few words.

 

o   I would also like to mention our gold sponsors - AIG, Arch Capital Group, Butterfield Bank, Endurance, Fidelity, Flagstone Re, Montpelier Re and Platinum Re.

 

6.      WHY BE A “VOLUNTEER FOR BERMUDA”? 

 

Independence Day is a celebration of freedom, friendship and mutual understanding – one person to another, one country to another.  For these priceless gifts we all must give thanks, Americans and Bermudians alike. In that spirit of thankfulness, it is incumbent upon those of us who have to give back to those who have not.

 

The Independence Day celebration, with 40 registered charities at a single venue – is an opportune setting for the 6,000 guests to consider supporting a charity of their choice.  Become a “Volunteer for Bermuda.”

 

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON JUNE 28^TH.