Praise for Alan Paris rang down from the House of Assembly yesterday morning when Minister Randy Horton congratulated the Bermudian sailor.

The House paused to celebrate Mr. Paris becoming the first Bermudian - and only 120th sailor worldwide - to sail solo around the world which Mr. Horton called an "outstanding achievement".

The Sports Minister congratulated the adventurer, saying: "I am sure that our founding fathers, and yes, even those who foundered off our treacherous reefs, will look with some pride (on Mr. Paris' voyage)."

Likening Mr. Paris' historic voyage to Sir George Sommers' original passage to Bermuda, Mr. Horton tied the circumnavigation to the theme of this year's Heritage Day, Traditions of Land, Sea and Air.

"This accomplishment personifies the spirit of our forefathers who ventured beyond the known in quest of discovery", he said.