Transcription
A 35-member delegation from 801-year-old Dumfries, Scotland, pop. 32,000, headed by Lord Provost Ken Cameron of the Nithdale council, arrived in 238-year-old Dumfries, Va., for a reception in their honor on Friday afternoon. The two Dumfries have long exchanged individual visits, but this is the first visit of an official delegation.
"This is a historic occasion," said Lord Provost Ken Cameron. "We are very proud to be here with the mayor, her council, officials and citizens of Dumfries, and to be associated with this town, with its strong ties to the name of Dumfries."
The Lord Provost (equivalent to our mayor) and his entourage arrived by chartered bus from Anapolis, Maryland, Where the delegation is enjoying a 10-day stay. They are meeting with, and being feted by, Ann Arundel county and state officials, and they may meet with Maryland's Gov. William Schaefer.
As part of their sight-seeing itinerary, a white House tour has been arranged by a Maryland senator.
"We sent a get-well card from my delegation to the presidents wife," said Cameron. "I think it is a courtesy to wish Nancy Reagan the best of health in the years to come."
John Paul Jones, who is called the father of the American and Russian navies, was born in Dumfries, Scotland, and is that city's mutual tie with Annapolis. The Scottish delegation is discussing not only mutual trade and tourism possibilities, but the possibility of "twin cities," says Cameron. He says that the trip was organized by Annapolis Robert Burns Society.
Burns, who spent the last seven years of his life in Dumfries, Scotland, was made an Honorary Burgess, which gave him the freedom of the town and the right not to pay taxes.
While the councilmen, their wives, scottish journalists and others were exchanging gifts with their Virginia counterparts, enjoying a bountiful repast and getting along famously with the 35 or more past and present town officials, staff and citizens who greeted them enthuslastically at Town Hall Earl and Countess Delkeith were arriving by plane in Baltimore. The Earl is one of their 28 coyuncil members, says Cameron, who expressed regret that they couldn't be in Dumfries, Va.
With the exception of the journalists, the majority of the visitors were visiting the United States for the first time, and all expressed favorable impressions.
"We're delighted with the hospitality of the people in Virinia and Maryland," said Cameron. "It is a great credit to the United States and I am sure that the people of Scotland wish you all the best of health and happiness in years to come."
"One thing we have all tried to achieve in this world today is to secure peace health and happiness and we must never forget our senior citizens, or our children who will be our leaders tomorrow," he con-Transcriber
Rachel HughesLanguage
English
