News Release

31st March 2006

GOODWILL VISIT TO WASHINGTON

Following the successful visit to Litchfield, Connecticut in the US in 2003 organised by Michael Fabricant, he is now leading another party at the end of May this year to Washington DC and to Virginia. Eighteen people - half from the Lichfield constituency - will be entertained by Sir David Manning, the British Ambassador to the United States, and will tour Congress and possibly the White House. It is also hoped that US Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (Michael Fabricant's counterpart in the House of Representatives and the Member for Litchfield, Connecticut) will again meet the group - this time on Capitol Hill. Previously, they met in Litchfield.

"These visits follow on from the events of 9/11" says Michael. "The visit to Litchfield and Boston in 2003 was very successful and enjoyable. I am keen to build on the ties between the UK and the US made then and look forward to receiving a briefing from Sir David Manning when we visit the British Embassy in Washington. Nancy Johnson met her husband in St Albans and is a frequent visitor to the UK; I very much look forward to seeing her again. She represents the 6th District of Connecticut which includes Litchfield and she is my opposite number in the US Congress."