BVI Celebrates Golden Anniversary of Legislative Council
By Angela Burns-Piper
A
noble move by the 14th Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands to recognize
and document the efforts of the first Elected Members of the Council.
As part of activities to observe the 50th anniversary of the restoration
of the Legislative Council, two separate ceremonies unveiling a plaque
at the site of the First Sitting and honouring the first four Elected
Members were held on Monday.
A marker was placed on the grounds of the now BVI High School campus, the site of the former Long School, where the building was located. The plaque was unveiled by Theodolph London Faulkner, the son of the late Theodolph Halborn Faulkner of Anegada, who led the great march of 1949 that led to the restoration of the Legislative Council. The plaque read: "After the restoration of the Sitting of the Legislative Council in the Virgin Islands in July 1950 and first elections in November 1950, the First Meeting of the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands was held at this site on 5th December 1950. Marked on the 50th anniversary of the sittings in the Virgin Islands, 20th November 2000".
In
providing a historical perspective, Deputy Chief Education Officer Dr.
Quincy Lettsome, said this is a great historical lesson for all. He traced
the history of constitutional government in the Virgin Islands from 1773
to the request for an elective LegCo in 1938, to the real turning point
in 1949 with the march, up to the restoration of the Legislative Council
in 1950. The Governor recognized the writings of local historian Mr. Vernon
Pickering, Dr. Lettsome's writings and also Ms. Ermin Penn, who helped
to collect photographs for posterity. But he said he was struck by how
little appears to be known about the First Elected Members. He encouraged
further research into their private and public lives, even a mobile exhibition,
before the material is lost.
"We
ought to encourage students to take a keen interest in this subject and
I'd be pleased to offer funds from my office if there is sufficient interest,"
His Excellency challenged. He told the BVI High School students that this
site marker is an important monument and a tribute to the people who re-started
the Legislative Council. "It is not to be used as a goal post." The bronze
busts were sculpted by Mr. Art Blevins of Grandbury, Texas. Chief Minister
and Leader of Government Business in the House the Honourable Ralph T.
O'Neal also gave brief remarks, while two students of the BVI High School,
JoRyan Palmer and Sharoma Hodge, read excerpts from the Minutes of the
First Sitting. Mr. Alford Penn, former Deputy Governor, chaired the ceremony
and Member of the Legislative Council Commemorative Committee Mrs. Eugenie
Todman-Smith delivered the closing remarks. Meantime, former Chief Minister
Cyril Romney chaired the ceremony at the Legislative Council Chambers
where the busts of I.G. Fonseca, Carlton de Castro, H.R. Penn and J. Charles
Brudenell-Bruce were unveiled.
In
providing a historical perspective, local historian and educator and Director
of the Virgin Islands Studies Programme at the HLS Community College Mrs.
Jennie Wheatley underscored the importance of honouring these Legislators,
even though they have passed on. She said it was important to understand
the climate of the Virgin Islands in the 1940s. Mrs. Wheatley said these
men should be thanked for having laid the foundation on which the Virgin
Islands today can offer secondary and even tertiary education, where the
territory now has surfaced roads, telephones and electricity and where
today, "we can vote for our own legislators and we are even free to tell
them what we like about what they are doing." Daughter Jennifer unveiled
the bust of I.G. Fonseca, Reginald Penn unveiled the bust of his father
H.R. Penn, Lambert de Castro unveiled that of his father Carlton de Castro
and the bust of Charles Brudenell-Bruce was unveiled by his daughter Diana
Bruce. The achievements of Theodolph Faulkner were duly recognized when
the Legislative Council held a special Sitting on Anegada Tuesday, the
first time a Sitting is held in a sister island and his house dedicated
as a national monument. In his remarks, Speaker the Honourable Reuben
Vanterpool said the BVI was fortunate, in that the struggle to represent
the needs of the territory did not involve bloodshed, but was a civilized
process. He added that for far too long, we have neglected to honour,
in a meaningful way, outstanding citizens, but he said now, there is no
turning back. "Where do we go from here is a question that we have to
ask ourselves at this time," Hon. Vanterpool asked, alluding to independence
and suggesting that the time may now be right to "take the plunge". Chief
Minister O'Neal said he hoped the present Members of the Legislative Council
would gain inspiration from the First Elected Members, as they enter the
Council Chambers for each Sitting of the House. He said because of the
sacrifice of these men, they should endeavour to carry on the tradition
of serving the people of these islands.
Leader of the Opposition Dr. the Honourable Orlando Smith contended that
the Virgin Islands are now better off since the restoration of the Legislative
Council. "Politically, we have advanced dramatically. We've had two subsequent
constitutional changes and two representative governments. And since the
last elections, there have emerged two strong parties, a sure sign of
a maturing democracy." The At-Large Member pointed out that economically,
the Virgin Islands had long been out of grant-in-aid and for the time
being have two strong economic pillars. "So, do we then owe these gentlemen
a debt of gratitude? Again, a resounding yes!" He said we owe them much
more, including the determination to continue to explore all the aspects
of the freedom for which they fought, to educate the people about it and
to choose wisely regarding what's best for this country.