Ambassador's Speeches

National Guard State Partnership Program's Disaster Management Conference

March 27, 2006

Remarks by Ambassador John D. Rood

Prime Minister Christie, Archbishop Pinder, Mr. Smith, Lt. Commander Bonner, visitors from Rhode Island, and our other distinguished guests….good morning.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the State Partnership Program Disaster Management Conference.  As we’ve already heard, disaster management is a vital challenge for The Bahamas and the United States.  I’m pleased we will be able to work together through the State Partnership Program to meet this challenge. 

But the Program is about much more than that.  If you have heard me speak before, you have heard me talk about the strong relationship between United States and The Bahamas.  Just last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice showed the strength of our ties during her visit to Nassau. 

Our relationship works because of the shared values of our people:  our embrace of democracy, our love of personal freedom, our goal to promote of peace and security in the world, our concern for human dignity.  Even when we disagree, we do so as family – sharing common values, sharing a personal concern for one another and sharing a future together.

Our relationship works because of our mutual concern for one another as people.  That is our goal in The Bahamas and around the world.  As President Bush has said, "America must stand firmly for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity.” 

I am proud to be part of this conference and see the first steps of cooperation in the National Guard State Partnership Program between Rhode Island and the islands of The Bahamas. 

This program will allow an exchange of ideas to give each of us a new perspective on our shared problems.  It will help us to develop better plans to prevent or react to national disasters or acts of terrorism.   But more importantly, the State Partnership Program will help build connections at the military level, at the civilian level and at a personal level.  

I know you will take the opportunities this State partnership program will provide to prepare for and respond to natural disaster.  But as you carry out your work this week, remember that you are also strengthening ties between the people of The Bahamas and the United States.  Just as we were there for each other during Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Katrina, this program is a visible sign that we will continue to be there for one another in the future. 

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today, and thank you for your hard work to ease suffering and save lives.  Both of our peoples will benefit from your efforts.