AS PREPARED
Remarks by Ambassador Candace Bond at Christmas on the Hill
December 23, 2022
Laventille, Port of Spain
I am U.S. Ambassador Candace Bond, and I am so excited and happy to be with you today.
I would like to start by thanking those who made this event possible: Commissioner Christopher, Senior Superintendent Subero and the IATF, the Hearts and Minds Unit, event organizers Ms. Dianne Nanton and Ms. Avalon Gomez, the TT American Chamber of Commerce, project GRACE, and of course my embassy team.
I am thrilled to be here for this event that is all about the spirit of sharing.
I am so grateful that one of my very first public engagements as U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago is in the Laventille community.
I have been looking forward to being with you here since I arrived in Trinidad and Tobago. Because I recognize the tremendous contributions that people from Laventille have made to Trinidad and Tobago over the years.
Many influential Trinbagonian leaders and cultural icons have come from this community over the years, including the world-famous Desperados steel orchestra and soca star Destra Garcia.
Laventille has always had a strong connection to the United States.
In fact, one of my honorable predecessors, U.S. Ambassador John Estrada, who served as President Obama’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, was born right here in these hills.
I love this event today because it gives us an opportunity to focus on the real meaning of the holiday season: sharing.
The 1,000 gifts for the 1,000 children here came from the American people.
The U.S. Embassy-funded project GRACE provided all of the gifts for the kids here at this event, so we could spread some Christmas cheer.
One of the embassy’s most reliable partners, AMCHAMTT provided the 25,000 seedlings for youth clubs to plant.
That is an important investment in Laventille’s youth and community.
That’s what Americans are all about: generosity, taking care of our neighbors, and spreading the blessings we have.
But you don’t want to hear a lot of talk—you want to get to the presents!
I wish everyone here, and everyone listening and watching at home today a very Merry Christmas, on behalf of the people and government of the United States of America, and from my family to yours.
Merry Christmas, everyone! And I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe new year.
And as we have all wished from ancient times right through to today: may peace prevail on earth.
May peace prevail on earth.
Enjoy the toys!
Thank you.