The Anguilla House of Assembly, meeting at the Magistrate’s Court, rather than the hurricane-damaged Atlin Harrigan Parliamentary Building, paid glowing tribute to the late Sir Emile Gumbs, Knight Bachelor, on Wednesday, May 23, at a Special Sitting.
Called a great, but humble leader, gentle giant, remarkable citizen, hero, statesman, father of Anguilla’s upmarket tourism industry, and a string of other noteable names, Sir Emile was accorded a tremendous amount of respect and honour for his 27-years of exemplary public service from 1967 to 1994.
During that period he served as a member of the Peacekeeping Committee following the 1967 Anguilla Revolution; a member of the early Anguilla Council and the second and longest-serving Chief Minister. He was the only Anguillian knighted by Queen Elizabeth the Second. He gracefully retired from active politics in 1994 – having been undefeated in all the elections in which he stood as the representative for the Road North Constituency.
The tributes commenced with opening prayers by the Right Rev. L. Errol Brooks and Scripture reading by the Clerk to the House of Assembly, Mr. Lennox Proctor.
Eighteen current and former members of the Anguilla House of Assembly paid tribute to him in a manner that evoked much admiration, a spirit of love, gratitude and unity.
The tribute bearers were Acting Speaker, Mr. Terry Harrigan who also read a tribute from the Speaker, Mr. Leroy Rogers, who is on sick leave; Chief Minister, Victor Banks; Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmavon Webster; Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers; Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge; Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Connor; Deputy Governor, Mr, Perin Bradley; former Chief Ministers, Mr. Hubert Hughes and Mr. Osbourne Fleming; Mr. John (Bob) Rogers (via recording); former Ministers of Government, Mr. Edison Baird; and Mr. Kenneth Harrigan; former Nominated Members, Mr. Claudel Romney, Mr. Clive Smith; and Rev. John A. Gumbs; Ministerial Assistant, Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool and former Nominated Member, Mrs. Keesha Carty. (The Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Curtis Richardson, was on official business in Trinidad).
The Choir of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, under the direction of Music Teacher, Mrs. Daphne Jacobs-Richardson, gave several performances at the beginning of the meeting of the House. Wednesday’s Special Sitting marked the start of three days for the Lying in State of Sir Emile’s body at the Court House and the continuation of the Period of Mourning and flying of flags at half-mast.
Sir Emile has been accorded an Official Funeral with all the attendant pomp and ceremony, by the Anguilla Government slated for Friday, May 25, an Official Holiday. He died on Thursday, May 10, at the age of 90 and is survived by his widow, Lady Josephine Gumbs, his two children, Lawrence Gumbs and Catherine Orchard; step daughter, Maria Smith, and many family members and friends to whom The Anguillian offers heartfelt condolences.
