U.S. Scots crown Sean Connery on Tartan Day
WASHINGTON 5th April 2001 - Veteran actor Sean Connery, the original incarnation
of James Bond on the silver screen, received an award for his services to Scotland in a colorful ceremony outside
the U.S. Capitol
A wave of blue and white Scottish flags, coat of arms placards and multicolored tartan kilts fluttered in the breeze
as American Scots gathered in the sunshine to celebrate Tartan Day. The American Scottish Foundation awarded Connery
the William Wallace award in recognition of his public affirmation of Scotland, his financial support of its education
system and film industry and his passion for the country.
``I'm glad this is not an audition, I don't think I'd get the part,'' the sun-tanned Connery apologized before
making his acceptance speech. The crowd, with a high proportion of middle-aged swooning women, laughed raucously.
Connery, a high-profile supporter of Scotland's national movement, said he was honored by the award and encouraged
Americans to visit his homeland in spite of the foot-and-mouth epidemic currently ravaging the U.K.
``Come this year in particular. You will find our majestic countryside open ... our championship golf courses open,
though not that easy, and you will find the hearts of our people open,'' said the Oscar-winning actor, who lives
in the Bahamas.
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