AS PREPARED
REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR CANDACE BOND AT WELCOME RECEPTION
DECEMBER 14, 2022
HYATT REGENCY, PORT OF SPAIN
GOOD EVENING. I AM CANDACE BOND, AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
AND I AM THRILLED AND HONORED TO SPEAK THOSE WORDS OUT LOUD.
I AM HERE TONIGHT TO TELL YOU THIS: THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HAS NO GREATER FRIEND ON THIS EARTH THAN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AS THE CLOSEST FRIEND AND PARTNER TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WE SHARE MORE THAN 200 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION. FROM THE WAR OF 1812, THROUGH OUR CENTURIES-LONG COMMERCIAL TIES TO OUR SHARED DEMOCRATIC VALUES.
IT IS WITH GREAT ASSURANCE THAT I SAY TO YOU, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MARCH TOGETHER TOWARDS PROGRESS, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR BEST ALLY.
UNDER MY LEADERSHIP OF THE U.S. EMBASSY, I WILL PERSONALLY SEE TO IT THAT:
- OUR UNIQUE BOND IS FURTHER STRENGTHENED,
- THAT OUR ALREADY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP DEEPENS AND GROWS,
- AND THAT OUR COOPERATION YIELDS POSITIVE RESULTS FOR BOTH OF OUR COUNTRIES.
BUT THIS EVENING, LET ME START WITH GRATITUDE, AS GRATITUDE IS ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO START.
- I AM GRATEFUL TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
- I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, TO MEET YOU ALL, AND TO BEGIN TONIGHT, TOGETHER WITH ALL OF YOU.
I’M TRULY HUMBLED BY THE TURNOUT IN THIS ROOM AND THE LOVE I’VE ALREADY FELT SINCE I ARRIVED HERE WITH MY FAMILY. WE’VE EXPERIENCED THE VARIOUS ACTS OF KINDNESS EXPRESSED BY TRINBAGONIANS WHETHER AT THE BAMBOO CATHEDRAL, THE CARONI SWAMP, HANGING IN THE PAN YARD, SHOPPING AT THE FARMERS MARKET OR SITTING AT THE CREOLE KITCHEN. FROM THE VERY START, T&T, YOU’VE MADE US FEEL RIGHT AT HOME.
I CAN FEEL THE ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR AS WE ALL ANTICIPATE THE “MOTHER OF ALL CARNIVALS” IN TWO MONTHS. LIKE ALL OF YOU, I HOPE WE WILL SEE A HUGE NUMBER OF U.S. CITIZENS ARRIVING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TO PLAY MAS AND LIME WITH ALL OF US.
WHAT A UNIQUE TIME TO ARRIVE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. FOR THIS REASON, I’M TRULY EXCITED TO HELP WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE CLOSE AND TREASURED HISTORY OF THE DIPLOMATIC TIES OF OUR TWO GREAT COUNTRIES.
THIS EVENING I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, AND TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHO I AM, WHERE I CAME FROM, AND MY PERSONAL ETHOS.
THE BOND FAMILY REPRESENTS A PROUD LINE OF BLACK EDUCATORS, PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
DESCENDED FROM SLAVES, OUR FAMILY HAS MADE MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FABRIC OF OUR COUNTRY. INDEED, OUR HISTORY IS A PROUD AMERICAN STORY.
I WAS BORN IN THE HEARTLAND OF THE U.S. IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, TO DR. LESLIE BOND AND ANITA LYONS BOND.
MY MOTHER WAS AN EDUCATOR WHO SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE ST. LOUIS SCHOOL BOARD—THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO DO SO—AND SHE SERVED ON PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON’S CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION.
SHE WAS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN GRADUATE FROM ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE GRADUATED MAGNA CUM LAUDE, PHI BETA KAAPA, AND RECENTLY RECEIVED HER HONORARY DOCTORATE. AT 92 YEARS OF AGE SHE IS STILL FIERCE, AND MY BROTHER AND I ARE STILL SLIGHTLY SCARED OF HER.
MY LATE FATHER WAS A GENERAL SURGEON AND FAMILY PRACTITIONER. HE ALSO SERVED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH ARENA PUSHING FOR GREATER HEALTH EQUITY FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 50 YEARS. HE ALSO SERVED ON THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
AS A KID, I USED TO GO ON HOUSE CALLS AND HOSPITAL ROUNDS WITH HIM. OFTEN HIS PATIENTS COULD NOT PAY FOR HIS SERVICES SO WE OFTEN HAD HUGE MEALS SENT THE HOUSE. CHITTERLINGS, COLLARD GREENS, BBQ, PEACH COBBLER, YOU NAME IT. BUT HE TAUGHT ME THE VALUABLE LESSON THAT EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS VALUE, RICH OR POOR, NO MATTER THEIR CULTURE OR STATION IN LIFE.
MY PARENTS WERE BOTH ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.
THEY WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE EARLY DAYS OF GARNERING KEY COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS SUPPORT THAT WAS CRUCIAL TO GETTING BLACK CANDIDATES ELECTED TO POLITICAL OFFICES, TO WHICH THEY HAD NEVER BEFORE HAD ACCESS.
THEY MARCHED WITH DR. KING AND MY UNCLE, JULIAN BOND. AND THEY MARCHED IN SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER ST. LOUISANS, COALESCING THE SUPPORT OF TEACHERS, LAWYERS, TRADESMEN AND OTHER BLACK PROFESSIONALS. THEY MARCHED EACH AND EVERY WEEK, TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST BLACKS BEING SHUT OUT OF THE JOB MARKET IN ST. LOUIS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND THEY TOOK ME AND MY TWO BROTHERS WITH THEM.
FROM MY PARENTS I LEARNED FIRSTHAND THE VALUE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, AND NOT ONLY THE RIGHT, BUT THE MORAL IMPERATIVE OF THE PEOPLE IN A DEMOCRACY TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED WHEN THEY RAISE THEIR VOICES AND MOVE THEIR FEET, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHEN THEY EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.
TOGETHER, MY MOTHER AND FATHER SERVED FEARLESSLY AS AGENTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE, DURING VERY TUMULTUOUS TIMES IN OUR COUNTRY’S VERY RECENT HISTORY.
OUR FAMILY, LIKE MANY OTHER BLACK FAMILIES, HAS PROUDLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIVERSE, MULTIETHNIC, AND MULTICULTURAL FABRIC AND PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I TELL YOU THIS ABOUT MY PARENTS FOR TWO REASONS:
- FIRST, I AM FIERCELY PROUD OF MY FAMILY AND THE SHINING EXAMPLE OF ACTIVISM IN THE NAME OF SOCIAL, RACIAL, AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE THAT THEY DEMONSTRATED THROUGH THEIR ACTIONS, THROUGHOUT MY LIFETIME.
- THE SECOND REASON IS THAT THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS, THEIR HEEDING THE CALL TO ACTION AND ACTIVISM, THEIR MARCHING AND ORGANIZING, ACKNOWLEDGES THAT OUR GREAT COUNTRY IS STILL STRIVING TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, WORDS WHICH WERE ENSHRINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION, RATIFIED 235 YEARS AGO
- IT IS THAT CONSTANT STRIVING THAT HAS LED ME TO THIS VERY RARE OPPORTUNITY WHICH LIES BEFORE ME.
AND WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FAMILY LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY HERE TONIGHT
MY AMAZING HUSBAND OF 27 YEARS, STEVE MCKEEVER IS A HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED MUSIC EXECUTIVE, ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY AND FOUNDER OF HIDDEN BEACH RECORDINGS.
HE IS EXCITED TO BE HERE AND QUITE READY TO IMMERSE HIMSELF IN THE RICH AND UNIQUE MUSICAL CULTURE THAT THRIVES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
MY FABULOUS DAUGHTER MADDOX IS HERE AS WELL AND SHE IS A TALENTED STUDENT AND SINGER, EAGER TO IMMERSE HERSELF IN THE SOCA AND PARANG SCENES, AND LEARN TO PLAY PAN. SHE IS ALSO EXCITED TO BE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
MY SON BRENT IS AWAY AT COLLEGE IN NEW YORK CITYAND HE IS ALREADY AN ESTABLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER, RECENTLY SHOOTING RHIANNA FOR HER LATEST CAMPAIGN.
AS A FAMILY OF CREATIVE SOULS, WE ARE SO PLEASED TO SEE SO MANY MUSICIANS WHO HAVE GRACED US WITH THEIR PRESENCE TONIGHT. WE CANNOT WAIT TO DISCOVER, SHARE AND LIME WITH YOUR MUSIC OVER THE YEARS TO COME.
A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE MOZART OF PAN MUSIC, DR. LEN BOOGSIE SHARPE, MACHEL MONTANO AND KES. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
MY JOURNEY FROM A LITTLE GIRL FROM THE HEARTLAND TO THIS BEAUTIFUL TWIN ISLAND NATION IS UNIQUE AND DISTINCTLY AMERICAN.
NOW YOU KNOW FROM MY BACKGROUND I WAS BROUGHT UP TO BE A SERVANT LEADER, AND PUBLIC SERVICE IS SIMPLY BAKED INTO MY DNA. IT IS ON THE SHOULDERS OF MY FAMILY AND MY ANCESTORS THAT I PROUDLY STAND.
THROUGHOUT MY LIFE I HAVE SOUGHT TO APPLY MY ABILITIES TO DEVISE SOLUTIONS THAT LIFT PEOPLE UP, STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES AND INSPIRE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE.
OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS I HAVE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABLE HOUSING, HEALTH ACCESS, EDUCATION, CLEAN ENERGY, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN ADVANCING TRANSFORMATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS THAT SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
AS AN OFFICIAL FOR THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, THE LARGEST EDUCATIONAL GOVERNANCE AGENCY IN THE COUNTRY, I WORKED TO IMPROVE OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR OVER TWO MILLION FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, TO HELP PROVIDE THE EDUCATION THEY BOTH NEED AND DESERVE.
I HAVE ALSO FOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT NO COMMUNITY IS LEFT OUT OF OUR CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE, REPRESENTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ON CALIFORNIA’S UTILITY CONSUMER ADVISORY PANEL.
WHILE QUITE DIVERSE, THESE ARE ALL KEY FACTORS THAT GO INTO BUILDING SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE US, AS WELL AS HERE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
PRIOR TO MY FOCUS ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, I WAS AN ENTERTAINMENT EXECUTIVE AT MOTOWN RECORDS AND ESSENCE ENTERTAINMENT. THERE, I RAN THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH IS THE COUNTRY’S LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH JUST KEEPS GROWING, AND GROWING.
TO THIS DAY, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE ARTS ARE AN EXCELLENT AND IMPORTANT TOOL OF DIPLOMACY CAPABLE OF BRINGING PEOPLE AND NATIONS TOGETHER, LIKE ALMOST NOTHING ELSE CAN.
AND NOW IN THIS MOMENT WHEN EXPERIENCE MEETS OPPORTUNITY, I FEEL BLESSED THAT THE VALUES INSTILLED IN ME BY MY FAMILY, AND MY EXPERIENCES AS A COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADER, HAVE EQUIPPED ME TO ADVANCE THE COMMON INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, AS THE U.S. AMBASSADOR FURTHERING MY LIFE’S PURPOSE TO BE OF SERVICE.
I’M SURE YOU MIGHT BE SAYING TO YOURSELVES, WHO IS THIS GIRL COMING FROM THE U.S. TALKING ABOUT PEACE, TOGETHERNESS AND UNDERSTANDING. DOES SHE NOT READ THE NEWS OR WATCH TV IN HER OWN COUNTRY?
INDEED, THE UNITED STATES IS AN IMPERFECT UNION, YET AT A TIME WHEN OUR COUNTRY IS POLARIZED BY SO MANY DIVIDING LINES, I’M STRUCK BY THE WAY DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS HERE IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO PARTICIPATE AND CELEBRATE WITH EACH OTHER.
I’VE TALKED TO CATHOLICS WHO CELEBRATE DIWALI AND HINDUS WHO REALLY GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. THIS RAINBOW NATION MAY BE WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE AFRAID OF, BUT IT IS TRULY AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ARE ALL STRONGER TOGETHER. JUST LOOK AT THIS ROOM. IT LOOKS LIKE THE UNITED NATIONS. I LOVE IT!
AND EVEN THOUGH I’VE DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT THE U.S. CONTINUES TO FACE AS A COUNTRY, PLEASE NOTE THAT I COME TO THIS POSITION AS U.S. AMBASSADOR, THE VERY HIGHEST HONOR OF MY LIFE, WITH GREAT PRIDE IN MY COUNTRY, AND WITH GREAT HUMILITY.
IT IS THE CHALLENGE TO DO BETTER, TO BE BETTER, THAT SPARKS US TO DO THE WORK—THE DELIBERATE, GRINDING, CONSISTENT, DEDICATED WORK TOWARD IMPROVEMENT. WE ARE, AFTER ALL, THE GRAND EXPERIMENT OF A LIVING AND BREATHING DEMOCRACY.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS STILL A LAND OF EXCEPTION. IT IS AFTER ALL THE PLACE WHERE KAMALA HARRIS, A WOMAN OF COLOR, WITH A BRILLIANT LEGAL MIND AND BACKGROUND, THE DAUGHTER OF TWO IMMIGRANTS, ONE FROM INDIA, THE OTHER FROM THE CARIBBEAN, COULD RISE TO THE SECOND-HIGHEST POSITION IN THE LAND, JUST ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENCY.
I’M SO PROUD OF OUR VICE PRESIDENT. SHE REPRESENTS THE DIVERSITY AND MULTICULTURAL MOSAIC THAT I CELEBRATE AND CHERISH IN MY COUNTRY, JUST LIKE THE GORGEOUS, ALLURING FACES IN THE DAZZLING DIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
I HAVE BEEN CLOSE FRIENDS WITH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES. WE BECAME FAST FRIENDS WHEN WE WERE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, ALBEIT ON SEPARATE CAMPUSES. AS THEY SAY BIRDS OF A FEATHER, FLOCK TOGETHER.
I KNOW HER COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF AMERICANS, AND THOSE OF AMERICA’S FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD. I KNOW OF HER DEEP LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND HER UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW.
IT IS QUITE EXCITING FOR ME PERSONALLY TO SEE THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT SHE IS MAKING AROUND THE GLOBE AS A WORLD LEADER AND TRAILBLAZER.
KNOWING MY PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL BACKGROUND AS INTIMATELY AS SHE DOES, VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS CALLED ME ASKING IF I WOULD BE WILLING TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
NOW THAT’S A CALL I WILL NEVER FORGET.
NOTABLY, IN THAT CALL, SHE EXPLAINED THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AS THE LEADER IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION.
SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE ADMINISTRATION’S PACC 2030 INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN ENERGY SECURITY, PROMOTE CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENT FINANCE.
FROM THAT MINUTE I SPOKE TO HER, I WAS SOLD AND COMMITTED ON THE SPOT. AS A BUSINESSWOMAN AND SERVANT LEADER, THESE ARE ALL AREAS IN WHICH I HAVE BOTH BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS WHY I’M PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO THE CARIBBEAN REGION. AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, THAT THEY GET IT.
THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS REGION AND THAT HISTORICALLY IT HAS NOT RECEIVED THE ATTENTION OR RESOURCES IT TRULY DESERVES. THIS IS WHY I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING TO SUPPORT THEIR LEADERSHIP IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
REST ASSURED T&T, YOU CERTAINLY HAVE GOOD FRIENDS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AS WE WORK TOGETHER ON ISSUES OF SECURITY, GOVERNANCE, AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH.
DURING MY TOUR HERE, I COMMIT TO LISTENING TO YOU AND WORKING MY HARDEST TO ADVANCE A SUSTAINABLE, EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. THIS INCLUDES ADVANCING OUR NATIONAL POLICY ON CLIMATE CHANGE, MIGRATION, AND INCREASING TRADE BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES.
AND TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, WE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO CHIP AWAY AT THIS SCOURGE OF VIOLENT CRIME AND DISRUPTION TO EVERYDAY LIFE AND BRING OUR BEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE CAPABILITIES TO HELP MAKE TRINBAGONIAN COMMUNITIES SAFER.
THIS WILL REQUIRE A LASER FOCUS ON OUR LONG-STANDING SECURITY PARTNERSHIP AND THE DILIGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF CARIBBEAN BASIN SECURITY INITIATIVE-FUNDED CITIZEN SAFETY PROGRAMS, THAT WORK TO PREVENT GANG VIOLENCE, REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME, AND STRENGTHEN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
KNOW THAT I AM COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING WIN-WIN INITIATIVES THAT WORK FOR BOTH SIDES, AS THESE ARE INITIATIVES THAT SECURE RESULTS WITH SUSTAINABLE IMPACT.
IT IS TRUE THAT AS AMBASSADOR, I AM FIRST AND FOREMOST DEDICATED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF U.S. CITIZENS VISITING, AND RESIDENT IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IS INDEED A REGIONAL LEADER ON SECURITY, AND OUR PARTNER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME.
I KNOW WE CAN DO THIS BY WORKING SMART AND COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER.
I AM NOT ONE TO WEAR ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. I UNDERSTAND THE GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES THAT YOUR COUNTRY FACES, AND I’M PLEASED TO DELIVER A WHOLE-OF-MISSION APPROACH WITH OUR FULL ARRAY OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT.
LIKE THE UNITED STATES, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STANDS IN THE FACE OF MAJOR GEOPOLITICAL SHIFTS, INCLUDING THE CHALLENGES OF A MASSIVE MIGRATION CRISIS THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, PARTICULARLY FROM NEIGHBORING VENEZUELA, WHOSE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CRISIS HAS GENERATED ONE OF THE LARGEST EXTERNAL MIGRATION CRISES IN THE WORLD BY DISPLACING MORE THAN 6 MILLION PEOPLE.
THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION HAS LAUNCHED STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND LOOKS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR OTHER INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO HELP BETTER SUPPORT THESE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, INCLUDING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AS WELL AS REFUGEES, INCLUDING CHILDREN, FLEEING THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES THAT SURROUND THEM.
SIMILAR TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WE TOO ARE IN THE HEADWINDS OF THIS UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS, YET WE ARE A NATION BUILT BY IMMIGRANTS. WHILE MET WITH CERTAIN RESISTANCE, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT WHEN IMMIGRANTS ENTER THE LABOR FORCE, THEY INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE ECONOMY AND RAISE GDP. ULTIMATELY, THE FACTS HAVE PROVEN OUT, THAT OUR DIVERSITY, LIKE YOURS, IS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH THAT FEW COUNTRIES CAN MATCH.
SPEAKING OF ECONOMIC DRIVERS, I AM ALSO COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU IN THE GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO HELP BUILD CAPACITY FOR FUTURE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION, AND INCREASING TRADE BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES, LEVERAGING THE DYNAMIC DIASPORA BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES.
AS A SPECIALIST IN BUILDING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, I UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PROMOTING EQUITABLE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, AND ENSURING THAT DEMOCRACIES CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF, AND DELIVER FOR THEIR PEOPLE.
I TRULY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU GATHERED HERE THIS EVENING, TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, WHICH WILL HELP IMPROVE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S OVERALL CLIMATE FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND TRADE, AND WILL ALSO ENABLE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR ALL CITIZENS.
I APPRECIATE THAT TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, AND WHILE NATURAL GAS REMAINS A CORNERSTONE OF YOUR ECONOMY, WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU DIVERSIFY ENERGY RESOURCES.
AS THE UNITED STATES LOOKS TO PARTNER WITH COUNTRIES TO REDUCE CLIMATE IMPACTS AND BOLSTER ENERGY SECURITY, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IS WELL-POSITIONED TO HELP SPEED THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION PROJECTS IN THE REGION.
THROUGH STRONG SUPPORT FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO FINANCING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, THE UNITED STATES CAN HELP SPUR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S TRANSITION TO AN EVEN STRONGER ECONOMY.
I’M SURE THAT YOU’VE ALREADY NOTICED THAT IN EVERYTHING WE DO, WHETHER THROUGH OUR CULTURAL AND EDUCATION EXCHANGES, OR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS, WE WEAVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY.
AS ALWAYS, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR FOUNDATIONAL IDEALS, OUR TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE AN END TO VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, RELIGION, AGE, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO LEAD BY THE POWER OF EXAMPLE IN ADVANCING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY COME FROM, OR WHOM THEY LOVE.
BEFORE I CLOSE, I WANT TO INTRODUCE ALL OF YOU HERE TO SOME OF MY TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY.
I SUSPECT THAT EACH OF YOU HERE KNOWS AT LEAST ONE OF MY EMBASSY COLLEAGUES, BUT YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE BREADTH OF OUR PORTFOLIO, OR EVEN THE SHEER NUMBER OF US HERE RESIDENT FULL-TIME IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WORKING TIRELESSLY TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUTUAL BOND.
WHEN I SAY THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT VALUES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HEARTILY DEMONSTRATE THAT COMMITMENT BY INVESTING EXTENSIVE U.S. GOVERNMENT RESOURCES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
THE U.S. EMBASSY HAS BY FAR THE LARGEST NUMBER OF STAFF OF ANY FOREIGN MISSION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, AND WE CONTINUE TO GROW.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY U.S. EMBASSY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN FRONT OF THE STAGE SO THAT YOU ALL MIGHT SEE, VISUALLY, HOW STRONG OUR TEAM IS, PLEASE COME ON UP!
SINCE THAT PHONE CALL FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT A YEAR AGO, THERE ARE SO MANY MEMBERS OF THIS TEAM THAT HAVE GOTTEN ME TO THIS PINNACLE, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. I’M CONFIDENT THAT THEY SHARE MY VISION AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ADVANCE OUR SHARED DIPLOMATIC GOALS.
JUST A NOTE, BECAUSE OF CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS AND THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THIS EVENT, THESE ARE ONLY THE CHIEFS OF EACH FEDERAL AGENCY OR SECTION, AS WELL AS A SMALL NUMBER OF OUR TRINBAGONIAN COLLEAGUES.
REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE AMERICAN OFFICERS AND TRINBAGONIAN COLLEAGUES WORKING WITH EACH OF THESE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT ON THEIR RESPECTIVE TEAMS.
OUR TEAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:
- THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
- THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, INCLUDING U.S. ARMY, U.S. NAVY, NATIONAL GUARD, AND U.S. MARINE CORPS
- THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
- THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
- THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
- THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
- UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES
- THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
- CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
- THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
- THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
AND FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICE, INCLUDING OUR DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION SHANTE MOORE, WHOM YOU ALL KNOW SO WELL FROM HIS TWO YEARS OF TIRELESS SERVICE AS OUR CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES, THANK YOU, SHANTE. WHAT AN AMAZING DIPLOMAT YOU ARE. LET’S GIVE SHANTE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
ALSO FROM THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT:
- POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTION
- MANAGEMENT SECTION
- REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICE
- CONSULAR SECTION, AND
- PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
THIS IMMENSE INTERAGENCY TEAM IS HERE BECAUSE THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MATTERS IMMENSELY TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
PLEASE KNOW THAT I STAND BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING, DEEPLY GRATEFUL, HUMBLED, AND EXCITED ABOUT OUR COMMON PATH AHEAD.
AS THE MOTTO OF THIS AMAZING COUNTRY INSPIRES AND COMPELS US: “TOGETHER WE ASPIRE; TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE.”
WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE “TOGETHERNESS,” I AM IMMENSELY EXCITED TO SEE WHERE OUR COMMON ASPIRATIONS WILL TAKE US, AND WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE TOGETHER IN THE YEARS TO COME.
I BEGAN MY REMARKS BY NOTING THAT TONIGHT IS A NEW BEGINNING, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OUR MARK IN COLLABORATION, MARCHING FORWARD WITH EACH OTHER SIDE BY SIDE.
GATHERED HERE TONIGHT, WE, TOGETHER, HAVE JUST WRITTEN THE OPENING LINES OF THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE STORY OF THE DIPLOMATIC TIES OF OUR TWO GREAT COUNTRIES, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL STRENGTHEN OUR DIPLOMATIC TIES, AND OUR UNBREAKABLE BOND; (PUN DEFINITELY INTENDED)
THAT WE WILL CELEBRATE THE LOVE AND FAMILY TIES THAT BIND OUR PEOPLE /FROM THESE SHORES TO OURS;
THAT WE WILL INCREASE THE PROSPERITY THAT FREE TRADE BRINGS TO ALL OF OUR PEOPLE;
THAT WE WILL CHERISH AND BE AWED BY OUR COMMON HUMANITY, EXPRESSED IN THE RICHNESS OF ARTS AND CULTURE;
AND THAT WE WILL RENEW OUR COMMON COMMITMENT TO OUR DEAREST, AND MOST CHERISHED VALUES:
O RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, RULE OF LAW, TRANSPARENCY, DEMOCRATIC RULE AND MAINTENANCE OF A PEACEFUL, MAGNIFICENT, MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY.
ALIGNED TOGETHER, LET US CELEBRATE THE LIGHT OF GRACE THAT SHINES FROM WITHIN THE PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.