THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
The State Department’s Voluntary Visitors Exchange:
Another Incomparable Experience for Bermudians
COMMENTS OF US CONSUL GENERAL GREGORY W. SLAYTON
November 26, 2007

• Welcome, Dr. the Hon. Premier Brown and the Minister of Social Rehabilitation, the Honorable Dale Butler. Thank you for being here to welcome home the Consulate’s third Voluntary Visitor Team (on November 7^th).
• This is the 3^rd year in a row that the State Department has funded a Voluntary Visitor exchange program for Bermudians.
• Once again the Consulate sent a team of five-person contingent of  Bermudian Voluntary Visitors to the U.S. to see: 
           - 14 model programs
           - In 4 cities (Washington, New York City, Syracuse and Ithaca)
           - Over a 10-day period.
• Once again, in keeping with 2007 as the Year of the Family, the focus was on nurturing healthy families and healthy children, especially those at-risk.
• Once again our two proud sponsors - Aon and US Airways -donated round-trip air transportation to Washington for the team.  Many thanks to them!
• Once again the Consulate’s primary partner was the Ministry for Social Rehabilitation.  In fact, Mr. Wayne Carey, Permanent Secretary of that ministry, served as this year’s team leader.
• Once again we included a representative of a private-sector NGO on the team – this year it was Mr. Carlton Simmons, President of Youth on the Move.
• Rounding out the team were -
          - Ms. Gina Hurst-Maybury (Department of Court Services)
          - Ms. Miriam Mitchell (Department of Child and Family Services)
          - Ms. Komlah Foggo-Wilson (Bermuda Housing Corporation)
• They will all be available at the conclusion of the prepared presentation to answer questions about their exchange and to provide individual interviews. 
• Before I introduce Minister Butler, I wish ONCE AGAIN to acknowledge the generosity of our local sponsors, Aon and US Airways, by presenting
  certificates of appreciation to:
          - Ms. Venicia  Warner (AON)
          - Mr. Howard  Tucker (US Airways)
• We are most grateful for the continued support of these two fine companies.
• Finally, let me say that the Consulate looks forward to:
          - Continuing the Voluntary Visitor Program in 2008 and the years to come; and
          - Developing a strong and effective alumni association for all our VolVis participants.
• Now, Minister Butler has a few comments before we turn it over to Mr. Carey and his team to brief you on the highlights of their trip. Minister Butler has been very supportive of the VolVis Program and I thank him for partnering with the Consulate in this effort.