Fellow Anguillians! My People!
These celebrations marking the 53rd Anniversary of our Revolution are framed against the backdrop of a Corona Virus 19 Pandemic, which has impacted the entire world. It represents an unprecedented medical phenomenon that transcends the normal fallout from such diseases and has moved into the realm of probable financial and economic disaster.
Our homeland continues to be blessed by the Grace of God to have been able to avoid the more horrific manifestations of this virus as experienced in many parts of the world. We have no way of predicting what the future may hold for our island but we trust that He will continue to keep us safe even as this ferocious storm passes us by.
This happens to be my sixth Anguilla Day in this term of office as Chief Minister/ Premier and I am indeed grateful to the people of Anguilla for this opportunity. I am the only holder of this office to have had the privilege to preside over for six Anguilla Day Celebrations in a single term.
However, it goes without saying that this one is different — it is the first virtual Anguilla Day Official Ceremony. I want to thank the very creative staff in the protocol division of my portfolio and their team for making this possible.
I must also acknowledge the sterling efforts of the Christian Council and the Evangelical Association in conducting our National Day of Prayer 2020 Rally in the midst of the restrictions occasioned by the safety requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their theme: “We cry out to thee, O Lord” speaks to the strong faith that we have as a people in His promise to deliver us from the most traumatic circumstances of life.
And a spirit of gratitude and praise that pervaded that fellowship warmed many hearts at the grounds of the St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral and those listening and viewing the rally on the various broadcast media. We were truly blessed.
A 53rd Anniversary is not normally considered a milestone year — but it provides the same opportunity for reflection and appreciation of our history and our heritage. In this vein I consider the theme for this year’s celebrations most appropriate: “History, Culture & Heritage; Know Your Identity — Anguilla Day 2020.”
We have indeed come a long way because of the resolve of our forebears to stay the course — but to achieve our goals we must continue to move forward ever mindful of the blessings that have brought us thus far.
I was able to have my usual inspirational chat around this time with my friend, the last surviving leader of the early struggle, the Hon. John “Bob” Rogers. However, on this occasion it was on phone from his hospital bed where he was in recovery from a recent surgery. But those circumstances did not diminish the flow of his thoughts about the future of Anguilla flavored by his meticulous recollections of the revolutionary journey.
The one thing Bob wanted me to say as he paraphrased a quote that he attributes to Churchill was: Whatever he did he did it for Anguilla — not for himself. He therewith admonished all aspiring political candidates to have a similar view of their decision to participate in the political process.
But I will not use this Anguilla Day address as a platform to launch my Government’s political campaign or boast on our achievements over the past five years — but I will celebrate a few changes that have been achieved under our watch that acknowledges the theme of this Anguilla Day Celebration that of knowing and feeling your identity wherever in the world you find yourself.
Firstly, the amendment we made to our Constitution to refer to our people as “Anguillians”. And secondly to extend the privilege of Anguillian status to grandchildren born outside of Anguilla in recognition of the fact that our people have had to travel abroad for many noble reasons.
We believe that these dignifying changes would have made our forebears proud. And so we too are proud to have them in place as another historic stride in cementing our identity and recognizing the rich heritage that made us a special people.
This also brings up another important evolution in our quest for self-determination, namely, the opportunity created by another amendment made to our Constitution during our watch to expand participation in the governance process — by increasing the number of elected members in the house of Assembly by more than fifty percent.
It makes this a historic election in the forty-four years after the introduction of the Westminster form of parliamentary democracy to our island— our people can now elect a wider cadre of persons to represent them in government.
But I must not avoid mentioning the fact that we are now entering an active election cycle even as we celebrate together the virtues of unity and love as a means of advancing as a nation proud of our heritage and identity. That reality should lead us to display an attitude of mutual respect as we seek the support of the people we hope to lead.
It comes down to speaking truth to power as the saying goes — but also by showing respect for the lofty offices we seek, by clothing ourselves with decency and appropriate conduct. I believe that we can use these reflections on Anguilla Day to remind us of what is expected of us as good Leaders.
And I am not weary of making this my exhortation every Anguilla day!
• The truth is that Anguilla Day should always be a day to preach love — not hate and retribution.
• Not about division but unity.
• Not to celebrate with arrogance but to reflect with humility.
• Not a day to accentuate our shortcomings with despair — but rather our successes with hope.
• A day to look forward — not a day to be trapped in a time warp of the past!
• It is a day to pray and to hope for leaders ready to be bold and courageous — yet always remembering to be compassionate and caring.
Let me take this opportunity to commend all the Anguilla Day honorees, past and present, for their sterling contribution to our island in so many different ways. We salute you this Day!
Let me also pay homage to all past leaders especially Chief Ministers: the late Hon James Ronald Webster; the late Sir Emile Gumbs; the Hon. Hubert B. Hughes with whom I had the privilege of speaking with yesterday as he recovers from his illness in a foreign country; and the Hon. Osbourne B. Fleming for their service to the people of this, our, patrimony.
Having said all of the foregoing I want to take this opportunity for the first time on Anguilla Day to salute all those brave young men by name who on June 9th 1967 (fifty-three years ago) travelled to St. Kitts on a speed boat on an uncertain mission with what could have been a perilous outcome — to demonstrate their willingness to stand up to defend our struggle for self-determination against a hostile administration across the seas seventy miles away from home.
Their mission cannot be erased from our history and we have certainly passed the time for any possible recriminations. Even so I am moved to salute them for their courage and determination. Mr. Valentine Ruan; Mr. Lemuel Phillips; Mr. Reuben “Rubie” Gumbs; Mr. Collins “Jesse” Hodge; Mr. Oliver “Shaft” Gumbs; Mr. Wilkin Smith; Mr. Albert Gumbs; Mr. Mitchell “Delprado” Harrigan; Mr. Todville Harrigan; Mr. Connell Harrigan; Mr. Henderson Smith; and Mr. Randolph Richardson.
Most of these brave men have passed on — but I want us to remember their sacrifice as a living testimony to our heritage of indomitable courage and strong resolve. This is indeed an aspect of the Anguillian identity of which we speak today.
Their date in History is June 10th 1967 and we as a Government have decided that they should be adequately recognized in a substantial way for their role in our struggle for self-determination. And this year, 2020, must be that year that they are accorded some special token of our appreciation.
As I leave let me quote from my friend “the Hon John Bob Roger’s” favorite idol, the late Sir Winston Spencer Churchill when he said: “The farther backward you can look, the further forward you are likely to see!” In other words, let us remain faithful to our theme: “History, Culture & Heritage — Know Your Identity!” And let us continue Onward! United! To build our nation Proud, Strong, and Free!
May God Bless all of You and May God Bless Anguilla!
