Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA completed a visit to Washington DC to represent Northern Ireland. He focused on the region's skilled workforce, tourism, hospitality, defence, innovation and transatlantic cooperation.

Burrows attended the Shamrock Reception at the White House. He saw a performance of Where Eagles Fly with the President and congressional leaders present. He took part in business forums with British American Business, Invest NI, the NI Chamber, the FSB, AstraZeneca and Galgorm.

The leader visited Arlington Cemetery. He met with global decision-makers and stressed the need for Northern Ireland to maintain an international presence.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons spoke at an event hosted with the America250 Commission. Around 200 guests from politics, business and culture attended to note Ulster-Scots' role in the US Declaration of Independence.

Lyons stated that several signatories had Ulster family roots. He noted that 17 US Presidents trace heritage to Ulster-Scots. More than 25 million Americans identify with this heritage.

The Minister announced a summer programme of events across Northern Ireland funded through the USA-NI250 initiative. Events include concerts, exhibitions, cultural displays, theatre and visitor experiences to mark 250 years since the Declaration.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito sponsored the event. Jen Condon of the America250 Commission attended.

Burrows praised Ulster-Scots entertainers and named UUP treasurer Trevor Marshall, Gary Montgomery and Nigel Campbell for arranging the musical at a Speaker's St Patrick's Day lunch on Capitol Hill.