NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas officially bade farewell to Her Excellency Nicole Avant, United States Ambassador to The Bahamas during a warm reception at the Balmoral Club on Monday, November 14.
She is scheduled to leave the country on Tuesday, November 22, after a two-year tour of duty. She is the first Ambassador appointed to The Bahamas under President Barack Obama’s administration.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette recognised the work done by Ambassador Avant, who ensured that President Obama’s message of hope and inspiration resonated with the Bahamian people.
“Your Excellency, we will always remember your spirit of giving, inspiration and hope, and we trust this spirit will continue to positively affect those wherever you go,” said Deputy Prime Minister Symonette.
“The assistance you provided to children in need of love, hope and support has renewed efforts to bring awareness that individuals, especially children with intellectual or physical challenges have just as much of an equitable stake in society as those without such challenges,” he sad. “As we support them together, we work toward a more inclusive, tolerant and compassionate Bahamas.”
Mr. Symonette thanked the ambassador for supporting families with children with autism, the Special Olympics movement, and encouraging children to read more books and other literature that would enhance their knowledge and education.
He also recognised her efforts in strengthening diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and the United States in the fight against the illicit drug trade, trafficking of arms and humans under the auspices of OPBAT and the Joint Task Force on Counter Narcotics and Migration.
In this vein, he hailed the success of the recently held Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, at which the United States reaffirmed it’s commitment to regional partnership to enhance safety in the region.
Mr. Symonette gave thanks for the support following Hurricane Irene’s destruction in August, the pledge to build disaster warehouses in the northern and southern Bahamas, and contributing to an inclusive natural disaster education aim to help improve the country’s programme as a whole.
Ambassador Avant presented her Letters of Credence to the Governor General of The Bahamas, His Excellency Arthur D. Hanna, on Thursday, October 22, 2009.
Prior to that, she was the Southern California Finance Co-Chairwoman of the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign. She also served as the Vice President of Interior Music Publishing from 1998-2009.
Ambassador Avant focused on five priority initiatives in The Bahamas: Education, alternative energy, economic and small business development, women’s empowerment, and raising awareness about the challenges facing people with disabilities.
Under her leadership, the United States Embassy partners include the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, the Travel Professionals of Colour (TPOC), the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD).
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
