In light of the Grand Jury decision to not indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, Bahamas Honorary Consul in Chicago, Michael C. Fountain, stands with Bahamas Consul General in Atlanta, Randy E. Rolle, in advising Bahamians in their shared jurisdiction of the state of Missouri to avoid areas that are experiencing high tensions in the wake of this announcement. Protests have been held in several U.S. cities, including Chicago where Fountain is based and Atlanta where Rolle is based.

“American citizens have taken their frustrations to the streets in protest of the Grand Jury decision. Businesses have been destroyed, stores have been looted and there have been fires and shootings. Michael Brown’s parents have asked for peace. I agree with them and President Obama, who stated in his remarks on the decision, that we should be honoring their wishes. I am asking all Bahamians, no matter their geographic locale, to maintain the rule of law and to not put themselves in danger at this volatile time. I further appeal to all Bahamians to please be mindful in word and deed as these events unfold. As my colleague Consul General Rolle has stated, our offices are monitoring activities in the area and we ask that Bahamians avoid areas where protesters and rioters may gather.”

http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/international/Diplomats_caution_Bahamians_in_regard_to_Michael_Brown_Verdict38532.shtml

As part of Diplomatic Week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell hosted the Honorary Consuls who represent The Bahamas abroad to a dialogue at the Ministry’s headquarters on Saturday 25th October.

http://bahamasuncensored.com/meeting-the-honorary-consuls-in-diplomatic-week/

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell introduced Michael Fountain, the Bahamas honorary consul for the Mid-Western United States, to the Chicago Community at a reception on September 5.

Mr Mitchell said Mr Fountain was presented with his official commission making him the first honorary consul for the Bahamas in Chicago, serving the Mid-Western states of the US.

The states include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The minister said it was quite gracious of Mr Fountain to take on this pioneering task.

“There are several responsibilities which come with this duty: promoting Bahamian interests abroad; promoting good relations between Bahamians and the people of this region, this state, this city; promoting increased trade and commercial ties with the region, the state and the city; organising or at least supporting the organisation of Bahamians who live in this region, this state and this city; being a point of support and rescue for citizens of the Bahamas who are in problems; and being the first point of contact for those who are interested in knowing about the Bahamas.”

Mr Mitchell explained that Mr Fountain will be working with Paulette Zonicle, consul general in Washington, DC, on most matters, save and except on matters arising in states that are part of the district of the consul general in Atlanta.

He said the mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to make it as seamless as possible for Bahamians to move around the world whether for business or tourism.

“We believe that this area is one of the most dynamic in the world and it requires greater attention,” Mr Mitchell said.

“In addition, however, we have asked the US State Department to consider honorary consuls in Los Angles, Denver and Houston.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/sep/10/mitchell-introduces-new-consul-to-chicago/

CHICAGO, USA – The following are remarks by Fred Mitchell, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs at a reception introducing Michael Fountain, Bahamas Honorary Consul for the Mid-Western United States to the Chicago community on September 5th:

I am very proud to be here today. I am happy to be here. I want to add my words of welcome to you all on behalf of the Prime Minister, the government and people of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

I wish to acknowledge the presence of our Consul General for this state Paulette Zonicle, who has travelled from Washington for this occasion. She will be the person with whom Michael Fountain will be working on most matters, save and except on matters arising in states which are part of the district of the Consul General in Atlanta.

I acknowledge also the friends of Mr. Fountain who have travelled from The Bahamas to be with him today.
On 15th August, Michael Fountain was presented with his official commission making him the first Honorary Consul for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Chicago, serving the mid-western states of the United States of America. This is a big job and covers vast territories and it is quite gracious of Mr. Fountain to take on this pioneering task.

There are several responsibilities which come with this duty:
Promoting Bahamian interests abroad;
Promoting good relations between Bahamians and the people of this region, this state, this city;
Promoting increased trade and commercial ties with the region, the state and the city;
Organizing or at least supporting the organization of Bahamians who live in this region, this state and this city;
Being a point of support and rescue for citizens of The Bahamas who are in problems;
Being the first point of contact for those who are interested in knowing about The Bahamas.

Mr. Fountain had a visit with the Prime Minister during his last stay in Nassau. He and his wife and family engaged in a good exchange on the mammoth task which he now undertakes. I can tell you from the moment that I met him I knew that he had the dynamism, energy and verve to carry out these responsibilities I am sure that he will do well.

In this he has a willing and supportive partner with his wife at his side. I am happy to welcome both of them into the diplomatic fold.

I wish to add that this is part of a wider effort that we in The Bahamas are seeking to carry out. Our mission in Foreign Affairs to make it as seamless as possible for Bahamians to move around the world whether for business or tourism.

We believe that this area is one of the most dynamic in the world and it requires greater attention.

In addition, however, we have asked the U S State Department to consider honorary consuls in Los Angles, Denver and Houston.

So congratulations to you Mr. Fountain. I know you will do well. I wish to thank you and through you the people of this state and this city who have welcomed me and my delegation on this occasion. I remember with great fondness the visit that I made to your state capital last year and the warm welcome which I received then. Since that time I have had the opportunity to greet many of the friends this year in The Bahamas that I met in Springfield last year.

So thank you all once again for coming and for showing your support for our Honorary Consul Michael Fountain and Mrs. Fountain.

God bless you all. God bless the United States of America and God bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-news-updates/speech_at_opening_of_consulate_in_chicago36848.shtml

By NICO SCAVELLA

#BAHAMIAN-born, Chicago-based lobbyist Michael Fountain said he “cannot wait to get started” in his duties as newly appointed Bahamas Honorary Consul for the Midwest region of the United States.

In his acceptance speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Mr Fountain called his commissioning an “unprecedented opportunity” and vowed to do his best to strengthen ties between the US and the Bahamas.

“I look forward to the ongoing conversation and dialogue,” he said. “I look forward to the work; I look forward to supporting every Bahamian that lives, works, and exists in the Midwest, because I intend to find them all and connect them to what it is we want to get accomplished in terms of our short and long term goals.

“This is a world of war and strife and conflict, and it seems like we are not going to achieve any peace anywhere, so the time for diplomacy is now. The time to work together, cooperate, be in conversation and discussion is now. I take the opportunity to engage the United States of America in that conversation with the commonwealth of the Bahamas, a place that they love whether they have been here or not.”

Mr Fountain, a Bahamian who was born overseas, is now the 26th Honorary Consul for the Bahamas. His consular responsibilities cover the entire Midwestern region of the US, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said that with Bahamians going “farther and farther afield”, the need is there for them to be “tied somehow to the country in an official way to look after their interests.” He said Mr Fountain was “well connected” and the fact that he’s a Bahamian who resides overseas only strengthens his capability to be Consul for the Bahamas.

“I think he’s brilliant – being Bahamian helps a lot,” he said. “He’s well connected, so I think he’s off to a good start and will do well. He’s also well connected in the society in Chicago and I think that is very important.”

Mr Fountain is also currently a Lobbyist for Capitol F Consulting, LLC based in Chicago, Illinois and was born to a Bahamian father and an American mother. He is also married and has two sons.

According to Mr Mitchell, more Consuls are to be appointed shortly in Los Angeles, California; Houston, Texas and Colorado.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/aug/18/new-consul-eager-start-his-duties/

Michael Fountain received his Commission as the Honorary Consul for The Bahamas in Chicago and with jurisdiction for the mid-western states of the United States. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday 15th August. Joining Mr. Fountain at the ceremony performed by Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell and Permanent Secretary Philip Miller was Mr. Fountain’s wife Latanya and his sons Christian and Avery. Mr. Fountain later paid a call with his family on the Prime Minister Perry Christie. A reception will be held in Chicago on 5th September. In welcoming Mr. Fountain the Prime Minister said that he thought that Mr. Fountain will do well and that he expects that this new appointment will assist in building relations and in expanding trade, tourism and other commercial ties.

http://bahamasuncensored.com/new-honorary-consul/

Washington

Pictured at the official Bahamas independence anniversary reception held by the Embassy of The Bahamas and Consular Annex at the St. Regis Hotel, 923 16th and K Streets, N.W., in downtown Washington on Friday, July 11, from left to right are: Mr. Chet Neymour, Deputy Chief of Mission, Bahamas Embassy; Mrs. Paulette Zonicle, Bahamas Consul General to Washington, D.C.; His Excellency Dr. Eugene Newry, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States; and Mr. Michael C. Fountain, Bahamas Honorary Consul to Chicago.

http://bahamasuncensored.com/the-work-of-the-missions-abroad-2/