NASSAU, Bahamas – A four member U.S. Congressional delegation led by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Chairman Judiciary Committee, visited The Bahamas April 7 – 9. Other members of the team included Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Congresswoman Donna Christenson (D-V.I.), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
On arrival in Nassau on Tuesday April 7, the delegation was met by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Timothy Zúñiga-Brown, Bahamian Ambassador to the United States, C.A. Smith , Marilyn Zonicle, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Andrew McKinney, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The U.S. delegation held separate meetings with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, and a joint meeting with National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest and Attorney General Michael Barnett. At these meetings the delegation engaged in frank and open discussions with the Bahamian Government officials on a wide range of matters of mutual interest. The delegation lauded the high level of cooperation between the Bahamas and the U.S.
The Congressional delegation also toured the DEU Marine Unit on Bay Street and was briefed on the unit’s capabilities and cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
The delegation later flew to Exuma and was given a briefing and tour on Operation Bahamas Turks & Caicos (OPBAT) at the “Hawk’s Nest” OPBAT Base. There the delegation got a ‘hands on’ view of the OPBAT facility and the vital role it plays in the interdiction of illegal narcotics. The delegation departed Nassau on April 9.
