The Anguilla House of Assembly was in a state of mourning on Wednesday, November 7, during a Special two-and-half hour Sitting. It was to allow former and present members to pay tribute to the late Speaker, Mr. Leroy Clifford Rogers who died on Sunday, October 28, following a protracted illness. He fell ill while about to attend an international meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Australia some 18 months ago.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Terry Harrigan, who delivered the first tribute, presided over the period of glowing tribute to Mr. Rogers. The tone of the tributes was especially set by Chief Minister and Leader of Government Business, Mr. Victor Banks, who has had a long social and political relationship with Mr. Rogers. His statement of condolence is published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper.
Those who paid tribute, in order of presentation after Mr. Banks, were: Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Pam Webster; Minister Curtis Richardson, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Connor; Ministerial Assistant, Mrs. Evalie Bradley; Minister Evans McNiel Rogers; Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley; Governor Tim Foy, OBE; former member, Mr. Edison Baird; former speaker, Mr. David Carty; Chaplain, Mr. Clive Smith; former member and Ministerial Assistant, Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool; former Nominated Members, Mrs. Keesha Webster Carty and Mr. Claudel Romney.
Other speakers were Mr. Lennox Proctor, Clerk to the House of Assembly, who read tributes from a number of persons from overseas; Ms. Vanisha Proctor who paid tribute to Mr. Rogers on behalf of the House of Assembly and Mrs. Shellya Rogers Webster who expressed appreciation on behalf of the family.
Apologies were received from the Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs Cora Richardson Hodge, former Chief Minister, Mr. Hubert Hughes, former Speaker, Mrs Barbara Webster Bourne, former member, Mr. Jerome Roberts and former Clerk of the House, Mrs. Carmen Richardson.
There was a very sombre mood in the House, as speaker after speaker delivered their condolences in the presence of family members of the late Mr. Rogers and members of the general public.
The Special Sitting of the House was followed by a public viewing of the body from 1 to 6 pm.
