Premier Ewart Brown has told how this month's delegation to Washington, DC, laid down their argument against potential tax legislation which could seriously harm the Island.

Dr. Brown said he and his team reminded key members of the House of Representatives and Senate that Bermuda carriers paid an estimated $17 billion in claims from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

"Our message in Washington was simple," the Premier told the House of Assembly in a Ministerial statement yesterday.

"Bermuda and its reinsurance industry contribute in an extremely positive manner to the economy of America and to the well being of Americans."

Dr. Brown led the delegation, which also included Deputy Premier Paula Cox, Home Affairs Minister David Burch, Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque and Finance Secretary Donald Scott.

The Premier said: "The purpose of this visit was to make the case for Bermuda, by informing key members of the House of Representatives and Senate of the financial benefit that Bermuda's international business brings to US citizens in an effort to prevent the passage of legislation that we believe would cause serious economic consequences for both our countries."

New York Congressman Charles Rangel was among those the delegation met. Dr. Brown said: "Congressman Rangel is no stranger to supporting Bermuda and he reiterated that he would not support any attempt to single out our Country by harmful legislation."

And the Premier said Congressman Sander Levin had "engaged in detailed discussions demonstrating keen insight into our position and our challenges with potentially harmful tax legislation".

During the visit, meetings were also conducted with the Treasury Department's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing David Cohen, in which the group discussed Bermuda's role helping the United States with its anti-terrorism efforts.

They also met Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roger Natsuhara to push for the reopening of discussions about the clean-up at Morgan's Point; and for Naval or Coast Guards to help protect Bermuda's borders.