BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 18, 2017 (PLP PR Media Inc.) -- Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, has once again called for the need to have more persons added to the country’s list of National Heroes, and for Buckley’s to be declared a National Heritage Site.
“Last year we put to you the need to look at the pantheon of National Heroes and to see whether we could expand the list,” Prime Minister Harris made the impassioned reminder on Saturday September 16 as he delivered the feature address during the observance of the National Heroes’ Day at the historic National Heroes’ Park.
“At that time during my address to observe National Heroes’ Day I pointed to the Buckley’s Riots of 1935, the seminal action of the Moyne Commission which would follow, and how it established some guiding principles for the empowerment of an emancipated people in the British West Indies.”
Dr Harris noted that during the course of those riots three persons, namely Joseph Samuel, John Allen and James Archibald, sacrificed their lives. He added that nine others were injured including two women in Olive Allen and Virginia Greaux.
“The question now is, should Buckley’s be declared a National Heritage Site?” posed the Prime Minister. “Should any among the leaders of the rebellion be declared National Heroes? Is there a special place for Olive Allen and or Virginia Greaux among the distinguished pantheon of National Heroes?”
Prime Minister Harris explained that ‘National Hero’ is the highest honour that can be bestowed on any citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis. He reminded that the country has five such National Heroes in the personalities of:
The Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, the Right Excellent Sir Paul Southwell, the Right Excellent Sir Joseph Nathaniel France, Dr the Right Excellent Sir Simeon Daniel, and the only living National Hero Dr the Right Excellent and Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds.
“We acknowledge their contributions and we hope that their example of selfless and outstanding service will be emulated by present and future generations,” said Dr Harris. “These our sons came from humble beginnings and yet each one gave back to St. Kitts and Nevis much that has improved it and ennobled us as a people.”
He added: “These men rose from a variety of circumstances. They refused to be constrained and pigeon-holed. Through discipline, hard work and ingenuity they made their mark indelibly on the national life of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Prime Minister noted that as the country looks forward to the celebration of a significant Anniversary of Independence in 2018, the Government in partnership with the Saint Christopher National Trust and Museum, would wish to invite citizens of the country and especially the youth to undertake necessary research so that a male and female enslaved person could be nominated for due recognition.
“We see the foregoing as likely to ensure that all of our citizens can recognise the outstanding contribution of our fellowmen and women upon whose shoulders we now stand in 2017,” said Dr Harris. “We must recognise these contributions over all the years.”
According to Prime Minister Harris, the country’s National Heroes have bequeathed a Nation that has progressed substantially overtime. He noted that the future generations possess the ability to take this great Nation to an even higher plateau of development and engagement.
“Let us not be shy in doing so,” he beseeched. “We recall the Parable of the Talents in Matthew Chapter 25 verses 14-30, in which we are reminded that increasing your talents brings even greater rewards, and that the servant who hid his talent, even that talent was taken away from him.”
In advising the country’s youth, Prime Minister Harris noted: “I encourage our young people to use your talents, your gifts, your ingenuity and skills to secure our nation’s prosperity. You must be faithful over a little, so that you can be set over much, and enter into the joy of your country.”
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