Former US Consul General Gregory Slayton received an award from the Congressional Black Caucus for distinguished foreign service earlier this week.

Mr. Slayton served as the United States Senior Diplomat to Bermuda from August 2005 to August 2009.

On hand at the ceremony was former US presidential candidate John McCain who thanked the Caucus for "honouring this great American".

During his time on the Island Mr. Slayton was best known for chairing one of the largest Fourth of July events in the world, which more than 10,000 Bermudians and expatriates attended.

He also led the first official bilateral diplomatic visit by Bermuda's Premier to Washington DC in 2006. The meetings became an annual event during Mr. Slayton's tenure.

US Congresswoman Diane Watson, a Democrat from California, presented Mr. Slayton with the award yesterday and said: "It has been a true pleasure for me—and for many of my colleagues from both Parties—to work with Gregory Slayton on a whole range of US/Bermuda issues over the past four years. On behalf of my House and Senate colleagues from both Parties, we thank Mr. Slayton for his service to our Nation."

Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins added: "When I would meet with people from Bermuda they told me over and over again what a difference he was making and they said some of the previous ambassadors had not worked as hard as Gregory each and every day to strengthen the wonderful relationship between Bermuda and the US."

Since leaving Bermuda Mr. Slayton retuned to the private sector. He is now the president and CEO of NRX Global Inc., a global market leader in Asset Lifecycle Information Management software.