Yesterday, the United States marked the anniversary of the signing of its Constitution — 238 years since a group of delegates gathered in Philadelphia and produced a document that would shape the course of a nation.
That Constitution became a legal framework that, over time, stood as a symbol of democracy, of stability, and of a belief in the dignity of every individual.
We live just beyond America’s southern shore, and the story of the United States has always been closely intertwined with our own.
The majority of the signatures on the Charter incorporating the city of Miami were Bahamians, and our diaspora has long been woven into the fabric of American society.
Families cross between our two nations. Commerce and trade flow between our islands and your cities.
Our young people grow up watching, learning, and sharing.
Through it all, there has always been a sense that America is a neighbour and a friend.
That is why today carries such weight. The raising of the United States flag over this new Embassy is a public reaffirmation of friendship.
It tells the people of The Bahamas that the United States is here, and will remain here, as a partner and as a friend who stands with us in good times and in hard times.
Our two nations have walked together for many decades. We have stood together after storms and disasters. We have worked together to keep our seas safe, to guard against crime, and to strengthen our borders.
Our police, defence force, and law enforcement agencies work shoulder-to-shoulder with their American colleagues. These are partnerships that save lives and protect communities.
For many Bahamians, especially those in uniform, this cooperation is a reality they live and practice every day.
But our friendship extends beyond security. It is carried in the ties between our people. It is carried in the Bahamian student who studies at an American university, in the American family who comes to our islands and feels at home, in the businesses that bring our economies closer together, and in the everyday exchanges that remind us how much we share in common.
Our friendship is also reflected in our values. The Bahamas and the United States are bound by a commitment to fairness, human rights, and the idea that every person deserves opportunity.
These values guide us in our diplomacy. They guide us in our trade and investment. And they guide us in the way we look out for each other’s citizens.
This Embassy will serve as an office for official business, but also as a place where cooperation deepens, where ideas are exchanged, and where the friendship between our peoples grows stronger.
It will stand as a visible reminder to every Bahamian who passes by that the United States is here, a neighbour and a partner who values our relationship.
When the American flag is raised today, I will see the sign of a friend. I will see the reminder that in this uncertain world, there are relationships we can count on. And I will see a promise that together, our two nations can build a safer, more prosperous, and more hopeful future for our people.
On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, I extend congratulations on the opening of this new Embassy.
This day will serve as a daily reminder of the bond between our two countries, a bond of friendship, a bond of trust, and a bond that we intend to keep strong for generations to come.
Thank you.