Tom Barrett new US Ambassador to Luxembourg

 

Tom Barrett new US Ambassador to Luxembourg

Yesterday the US Senate confirmed the nomination of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as the new U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Here the Senate information:

“The Senate Cloak Room:

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #622 Thomas Barrett to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.”

Tom Barrett has served as Mayor of Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, since 2004. Not absent from his nomination is the fact that Luxembourg has special ties to Wisconsin: it has without any doubt the largest share of descendants of Luxembourg immigrants dating back to the 19^th century. It is also the home of the Luxembourg Cultural Society’s headquarters and Museum.

 

Population wise Milwaukee has about the same number of residents than the whole Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is known for its beer production. But testimony to Luxembourg’s excellent salesmanship is that BBBB is exporting its beer from Luxembourg to Wisconsin. Which is the equivalent of selling fridges in the Arctic.

 

Sadly, Milwaukee is also known for its murder rate. Close to 200 murders in a year. Milwaukee’s Mayor will be safer in Luxembourg. He’ll also have a bunch of marines watching the doors. At an equivalent population number, Luxembourg only makes it to 4 or 5 violent deaths annually. Or about 2 % of Milwaukee’s numbers. I’m sure he will ask about the numbers of white-collar crimes in Luxembourg. As a diplomat he wants some reciprocity in the numbers. He has already mentioned concern about money laundering and other financial crimes.

 

With Tom Barrett Luxembourg gains an expert to advise the City of Luxembourg about the rampant insecurity in the surroundings of the Central Railway Station.

 

On a more personal note, Tom Barrett’s claim to fame goes back to President Obama’s election: a real President needs a dog. Tom Barrett advised that it should be a Portuguese Water Dog. His dog Bailey is a Portuguese Water Dog,