Special Legco Sitting In Honour Of 50th Anniversary Celebrations
A
Special Sitting of the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands was held
Monday November 20th at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, specifically
to officially acknowledge the services rendered by the first four Elected
Members of Council. This day marked the actual anniversary.
Motions were moved by Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal on behalf of the late Isaac Glanville Fonseca; Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Communications and Works Hon. J. Alvin Christopher for the late J. Charles Brudnell-Bruce; Territorial-at-Large Member Hon. Ronnie Skelton for the late H.R. Penn and by Member for the Fourth District Hon. Mark Vanterpool on behalf of the late Carlton de Castro. I.G. Fonseca served the Virgin Islands as a Legislator for 21 years from 1950-1971 and during that time served as Minister for Works and Communications in the Third Legislature. "The late I.G. Fonseca played a significant role as a Legislator and in bringing about the re-establishment of the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands, said Chief Minister O'Neal. J. Charles Brudenell-Bruce served for six years during the period 1950-1957 and having served as a Member of the First Legislative Council, he is considered a pioneer Legislator. "The late John Charles Brudnell-Bruce was known to be a pioneer legislator," read Hon. J. Alvin Christopher. Howard R. Penn served the Virgin Islands Legislative Council for 13 years from 1950-1963 and during this period also served as Member for Trade and Production. Having served as a Member of the First LegCo, he is also known as a pioneer Legislator. He also served as Speaker of the Seventh Legislative Council. Carlton de Castro served the Virgin Islands as a Legislator for four years from 1950-1954 in the First Legislative Council.
"Whereas
the late Carlton Leslie Evelyn de Castro played a significant role as
a Legislator and was instrumental in bringing about the re-establishment
in the Virgin Islands of the Legislative Council Now, therefore be it
resolved that the Legislative Council records its acknowledgment of, and
appreciation for, the services rendered by the late Carlton Leslie Evelyn
de Castro to the people of this territory." Several Members, including
Territorial-at-Large Representatives Hon. Reeial George and Hon. Eileene
Parsons. Minister of Health Hon. Ethlyn Smith, Minister of Education Hon.
Andrew Fahie and Member for the 7th District Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering,
rose to support the motions and add their own contributions.
At
the start of the Sitting, Chief Minister O'Neal said he could not allow
the occasion to pass without expressing some of his thoughts on the celebration.
"I would hope Sir, that this celebration would be the springboard for
us as a people to become more conscious of those Virgin Islanders who
have contributed so much to the development of these islands," he told
the Speaker. He noted that our forefathers, who by hard labour, courage
and determination, were convinced that these islands could have a rightful
place in the sun and that our people could enjoy a higher standard of
living and quality of living than they met many years ago. The Chief Minister
said he hoped that the Legislative Council would see it fit to make a
special annual grant to the Virgin Islands Studies Programme at the HLS
Community College to pursue further research about Virgin Islanders abroad.
He said it is time for the territory to honour those, including Norwell
Harrigan and Henry Creque, who have made substantial contributions to
the development of the islands in many fields. "If we are to build national
pride in our people, we ought to acknowledge their contributions, however
small or great they may be."
His
Excellency Governor Frank Savage was invited to address the Legislative
Council. He brought congratulatory remarks from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II. On his own behalf, he challenged the students of the High School and
all who have an ambition to enter politics would examine what set these
men apart from their contemporaries. Governor Savage suggested that these
pioneers would have been largely reassured and quietly satisfied, were
they to judge those who followed them and the progress that the BVI has
subsequently made. He said they would have approved the BVI's economic
development, where per capita income is now amongst the highest in the
Caribbean. "I am sure that they would regard the progress in community
and social affairs as impressive, while at the same time urging us not
to lose sight of the most important of all development, that if the people
of the territory," His Excellency mused. In paying tribute to the progress
made over the past 50 years, he said it was necessary to recognize the
contributions of the four Chief Ministers - the late Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt,
Hon. Willard Wheatley, Mr. Cyril B. Romney and current Chief Minister
Hon. R.T. O'Neal, who have all served the community with dedication and
commitment.
He
expressed concern that the BVI was not very good at recording its recent
history and he said there is a great need for those still living to chronicle
their political and parliamentary activities for the future benefit of
generations to come. In conclusion, Governor Savage noted that democracy
is alive and well in the BVI. "Indeed, it is possible to say that politics
have never been more vibrant and keenly contested, We would probably not
be here today without the efforts, sacrifices, vision and dedication of
the BVI Five We are rightly honouring them for the great debt of gratitude
which the BVI owes them."