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REMARKS
BY THE HON. FRED MITCHELL MP
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & THE PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSIONING OF MICHAEL MUNROE YOUNG AS HONORARY CONSUL FOR THE STATE
OF GEORGIA, COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
6th
September 2006
Ambassador Young,
distinguished ladies and gentlemen of this wonderful city and state,
Bahamians abroad, Eddie Archer from the Ministry of Tourism, Atlanta,
the Charge Eugene Torchon Newry from Washington, our Consul General for
the southeast United States Alma Adams, Ed Bethel, Consul General in
New York, Ambassador Young, friends all.
This has been long
in coming. It seems though like only yesterday as I returned to this
side of the world after a 15 hour journey from South Africa to Atlanta
for a dinner meeting with Ambassador Young at his home. It was a
wonderful gathering. That was in 2003. It was at that time that
Ambassador Young first mooted the idea of an honorary consul for The
Bahamas in Atlanta and he introduced me to Mike Young, a Bahamian by
descent and his beautiful wife. Ambassador Young indicated that he
would be an excellent choice. It has taken us from then to now but it
is done and I could not be more pleased.
I wish to thank
Ambassador Young; the members of his staff particularly Sylvia Ashley
who kept at this. I believe that this is a good decision and I am sure
that Mike will represent The Bahamas well in this city and in this
state.
We are a small
country and so from the point of view of resources, it is always
pleasing that our sons and daughters abroad are willing to help hold up
the flag overseas. Mike, having served for so many years in Atlanta in
Delta Airlines knows the business community well here and is well
connected in this community and in this state.
His
responsibilities will include not just holding up the flag but being a
general point of interface between The Bahamas and this community at an
official level, fielding questions and complaints, the problems of
students, and those who serve in prison and generally keeping us abreast
of how the mutual interests of The Bahamas and this community can be
enhanced. I have no doubt that he will be successful.
I would like to
thank all those who were responsible for organizing this reception. I
want to thank you all for coming. On behalf of Prime Minister Perry
Christie, I want to encourage all those Bahamians abroad to help hold up
the flag and thank them for what they have done already. I thank all
our friends from the United States and other countries for enhancing
relations. I take this opportunity to underline the close, fraternal
relations which The Bahamas has with the United States and in particular
with the Atlanta community. There is a steady exchange of people
between the two countries with Hank and Billie Aaron being amongst the
regular visitors to our country.
The Bahamas thanks
you all. I wish to again congratulate Mr. Young and I am sure that he
will do well. Please be assured that Mrs. Adams will always be there to
help, so will our Charge in Washington and the Consul General in New
York. I too am always at your back and call. I sure too that Mr. Archer
is always ready, willing and able to help.
I wish therefore
to present this Commission.
RECEPTION - Some of the group gathered
for a reception in honour of the appointment of Honorary Consul Michael
Munroe Young in Atlanta, Georgia: From left are Eugene Torchon Newry,
Chargé d'Affaires, Washington; Ed Bethel, Consul General, New York;
former US Ambassador Andrew Young; Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of
Foreign Affairs; HCC Young; Alma Adams, Consul General southeast US;
Andy Ingraham, Miami businessman; and Mrs. Michael Munroe Young.
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