News Release

23rd October 2003

LITCHFIELD USA SIGNS PROCLAMATION

On Tuesday evening, October 21st, at the Town Meeting of the Board of Selectmen (or town council) of Litchfield, Connecticut in the United States, the First Selectman (equivalent to Executive Mayor of the Town) read out a proclamation creating a Friendship Week between Litchfield Connecticut and Lichfield England. The week will run from October 17th to October 22nd. As well as being attended by the Board of Selectmen and people from the Town of Litchfield, 22 people from Lichfield, England also attended the Town Meeting. They were taking part in a visit to the United States organised by Michael Fabricant to build closer links between the UK and the US.

Michael now says "As the proclamation reads, our towns share a common name and a common heritage and I was delighted that this unexpected proclamation was made and signed by all the Selectmen who are the councillors of the Town of Litchfield. I hope that over the coming months we will be able to build on this and create still stronger links between our two communities. The bonds of language and a common legal systems and heritage already mean that the US is our biggest trading partner. I am keen to explore other ways our nations can cooperate still further to our mutual benefit and prosperity. And at a local level, I am keen to exploit the fact that a number of cities worldwide are named after our famous Cathedral City. This can only benefit Lichfield, Staffordshire in terms of tourism and trade".

As well as meeting the Board of Selectmen, the delegation also met the US Congresswoman for the Congressional District which includes Litchfield, the Honorable Nancy Johnson on Sunday October 19th. Nancy Johnson is Michael Fabricant's counterpart in Washington DC. The meeting was held prior to a service at the Litchfield First Congregational Church founded in 1721. Afterwards, at the Sunday service, Michael Fabricant was invited by the Rev Dr Edward F Duffy to read the lesson from the Book of Nehemiah before a packed congregation.

The Text of the Proclamation signed by the Town of Litchfield, Connecticut reads:-

Whereas The Town of Litchfield, Connecticut USA of similar name and heritage as the ancient and respected city of Lichfield, England do share this common bond, and Whereas We sincerely trust that your inhabitants may prosper and enjoy good health, and Whereas By continued interchange of kindly messages and visits, we will strengthen the feelings of friendship and brotherhood which exist between our great lands, and in keeping with this desire; Therefore be it Resolved, that the week of October 17 through October 22 be designated Friendship Week between Litchfield Connecticut USA and Lichfield England.