Good evening,
A warm welcome to you all. I am pleased to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America with all of our many friends and colleagues here this evening. Thank you for joining us.
The theme of our celebration this year, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” is borrowed from the lyrics of one of our nation’s most patriotic songs, “America the Beautiful.” This theme speaks to the coastal beauty of the United States and our proud maritime history, but it also encompasses the shared seas that have always bound our nation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
Our first president, George Washington, sailed those seas at age 19 when he accompanied his ailing brother to Barbados. His stay here proved to be a seminal experience. It opened his eyes to a wider world and piqued his interest in a military career — a career that culminated, years later, in victory in the Revolutionary War and the birth of our nation. Another of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, crossed these seas in the opposite direction, leaving his childhood home in Nevis to attend college in New York. He went on to become one of our most venerated statesmen, establishing the United States Coast Guard, creating our first economic policies, and helping to define our Constitution for generations of Americans.
Since those early days of our nation, the ties between the United States and Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean multiplied exponentially. Today the seas between us are plied by cruise ships bringing American passengers on vacation and cargo ships bringing American goods to market. We offer humanitarian aid through visits like the one the U.S. Naval Ship Comfort made to deliver free medical treatments and supplies to Dominica last year. The skies overhead, too, are abuzz as we swap scholars, athletes, experts and artists — many through cultural and educational exchange programs managed here at the Embassy. President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas program, in particular, resulted in a rising exchange of university students. In many cases, our families are intertwined and our cultures intermingled. All of this makes our relationship strong, vibrant and mutually beneficial.
Challenges also unite us. One of the greatest of these is the impact of climate change on our shared marine environment. Last year, we took bold steps to promote conservation of the region’s most vulnerable marine areas, including the rich waters between St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. We recently concluded another very successful project that rallied the entire region to action on climate change, including mobilizing to deal with the threat of rising sea levels. All of this strengthens the long-term partnership between our nations that helped shape the historic climate agreement in Paris last December. This work also ties in with our global strategy to focus on the key ocean issues of our time — something Secretary of State John Kerry will reinforce when he hosts the “Our Ocean” conference in Washington, D.C., this September.
I intend to keep environmental issues at the forefront of our agenda in this region. And this Embassy will continue to lead by example. We installed the wind turbine you see to my left for exactly that reason. At the time of its installation, it was the largest wind turbine on Barbados and the largest ever installed at an American Embassy. It stands as a symbol of our commitment to tacking the challenges of developing sustainable energy and preserving our precious environment.
In January, during the Caribbean Energy Security Summit, Vice President Biden singled out Barbados and St. Lucia for praise for developing alternative energy sources. He talked passionately about this being a rare moment of opportunity for sustainable energy in the region, saying, “You, the countries of the Caribbean, have a chance at the supply of energy that is more resilient, more sustainable, cleaner, more affordable than you have ever, ever had.” Working together, we can make that chance a reality.
Another challenge we share is ensuring the safety of our citizens. This starts at our shared border, the seas between us, with responsibilities on all sides. Last month in Grenada, I saw firsthand just how robust our security partnerships in this region are during the annual Tradewinds exercises. Thirteen CARICOM states participated in Tradewinds under the organization of the United States Southern Command. These exercises — which will be hosted right here in Barbados next year — are absolutely vital to preparing a coordinated, regional approach to combatting illicit trafficking and responding to natural disasters.
Let me say that staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated organized crime networks is no easy task. That is why the United States has strongly supported the Regional Security System for over 20 years with everything from communications equipment to maritime patrol aircraft. By the end of 2017, we expect to have spent over one million dollars on training for 510 officers over a three-year period. U.S. Coast Guard cutters have stepped up interdiction patrols in the region as well, starting with a May port visit to Antigua followed by a visit in June to Barbados. All of this activity indicates the high priority we place upon citizen safety and security in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
Finally, to my fellow Americans: Whether you journeyed across the seas temporarily or a lifetime ago, and are with us here this evening, I want to promise you that your Embassy cares about your safety and security. We are also a resource for you for everything from renewing passports to preparing to vote in U.S. elections. On that note, I would encourage all Americans here tonight to make sure they register to vote and exercise their fundamental responsibility and privilege on Election Day.
Our theme this evening — from sea to shining sea — makes me remember the grandeur of our country, its beauty from Maine to California and all the wonderful places in between. From our small beginnings, today we shine as a beacon to the world. We represent big ideas, big dreams. But this theme also makes me think beyond our borders to the world we share. The seas do not start and stop at the United States. For 240 years now, they have connected our nation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and they will continue to do so.
I want to congratulate all Barbadians here this evening as you celebrate your own 50th anniversary of independence. I would like to thank all the sponsors who donated so generously to enable us to host this Independence Day Celebration. Thanks as well to all the Embassy staff working here tonight. And finally, thank you to all of our guests for coming out to share this wonderful occasion with us.
I would like to ask you to please raise your glasses and join me in a toast: To freedom, democracy and the enduring friendship between Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States of America.
Please enjoy the party!
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