HAMILTON, Bermuda – Bermuda’s Premier Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown sends his congratulatory letter to President-Elect of the United States Barack Obama.
I proudly join the litany of leaders around the world who offer congratulations on your historic election victory last week. Your expertly run campaign and message of change has been clearly accepted by the people in your country and by many who have observed around the world. I wish you well now as you transition into governance.
The United States and Bermuda have mutually benefited from a 400-year partnership which includes tourism, insurance, healthcare and education. I look forward to working with your administration on strengthening those ties, particularly insurance, which plays a critical role in keeping homeowner insurance affordable for Americans living in the path of hurricanes in states like Louisiana, Texas and Florida. For example, Bermuda-based insurance and re-insurance companies have paid out $30 billion in claims to U.S. policyholders between 2001 and 2008 to cover catastrophic events.
Similarly, my Office and the U.S. Office of Consul General here in Bermuda have enjoyed a strong working relationship that has promoted progress in a wide variety of areas including aviation and commerce. I look forward to working closely with your appointee to that post.
In the New Year your administration will have a robust agenda that requires urgent attention. Wherever that agenda might involve Bermuda, I stand ready to assist you reach your objectives while also protecting the interests of Bermudians. It’s a mutually satisfying objective that our two countries have been able to successfully meet for four centuries.
Sincerely,
Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, J.P., M.P.
Premier and Minister of Tourism & Transport
