Two Democratic members of the US Congress will co-chair this year’s American Independence Day celebrations on the Island, which organisers are hoping will make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

GK Butterfield, whose father was born in St. George’s, and Diane Watson, a friend of Premier Ewart Brown since his days in Los Angeles, told a cocktail reception in Washington, DC, that they were delighted to be returning to Bermuda for the event on Saturday, June 30.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the sold out charity day in Sandys and organisers think it could break the world record for the largest July 4 celebration outside of North America.

US Consul General Gregory Slayton told The Royal Gazette: “I invited Congressman Butterfield and Congresswoman Watson and I wasn’t sure if they’d be able to come because they are very busy people. They were kind enough to say: ‘sure we’d be honoured’. I’m thrilled.”

Both Congress members joked at the lunchtime reception just north of Capitol Hill — held in honour of Dr. Brown and US Consul General Gregory Slayton, who were in the capital for bilateral talks — that they wished they could be granted dual US/Bermudian status.

“It’s one of the most civil places in the world,” said Californian Congresswoman Watson. “A little paradise in the Atlantic. I love it. I will continue to come.”

Chief Deputy Whip Congressman Butterfield, from North Carolina, spoke of the importance of the Bermuda Government delegation’s two day trip to the American capital last Thursday and Friday.

“The Bermuda story needs to be told to every member of Congress,” Congressman Butterfield, who still has dozens of relatives on the Island and visits regularly, told this newspaper.

“They need to understand that Bermuda is 600 miles away from the US and that we have a longstanding friendship with Bermuda and that it’s in our strategic interest to maintain a strong relationship.” Both he and Congresswoman Watson were full of praise for Dr. Brown and Mr. Slayton at the reception held at the DC office of American philanthropist Stewart Rawlings Mott, who lives in Bermuda for most of the year.

And the pair said they considered daily the impact that changes in the law in Congress could have on Bermuda.

The Premier and the US Consul General said that the trip to DC — which saw them and Deputy Premier Paula Cox meet with a dozen lawmakers — could not have gone better.

Dr. Brown said Mr. Slayton must take credit for organising the whistle-stop visit, the second bilateral talks held by the Progressive Labour Party in the capital.

“We have always had connections with Washington but he took it to another level,” said Dr. Brown.

“I expected it to be good, but it was better.”

Mr. Slayton said: “I don’t think it could have gone better.

“People who last year didn’t know a lot about Bermuda now know a great deal about Bermuda.”

The Island’s July 4 celebrations — held the weekend before as the day is not a holiday in Bermuda — are at Moresby’s Plain from 5 to 11 p.m. and have the theme: “Celebrating Freedom: Giving Back to Bermuda.”

The event is likely to raise more than $100,000 for local charities. Visit www.americansociety.bm for information on free travel.