Parliamentarians past and present hail the late HE Vance Amory as a visionary leader who should be emulated by other politicians

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 19, 2022) — The late Ambassador Hon. Vance Winkworth Amory, former Prime Minister of Nevis and Member of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis, has been hailed as a visionary leader and statesman whose principles should be emulated by today’s politicians today.

The many virtues of Mr Amory, Nevis’ longest serving Prime Minister, were highlighted by former and current members of the National Assembly and Nevis Island Assembly at a special sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly held in his honor at Hamilton House on 19 April. , 2022.

Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, said it was an honor to have been the Hon. Amory’s deputy. He mourned the loss of a personal and dear friend.

“Vance Amory was loved and revered by most. He was respected not only as a role model, but also as a pioneer. As a pioneer, he opened doors and created opportunities for the next generation to build upon. He used his gifts, intelligence and talents to lead, inspire and help. Truly selfless, he continuously reached backward while climbing. There was no greater friend of the poor, the lost, the left behind and the left behind than Vance Winkworth Amory,” he said.

Dr. Right and Straight Excellence. The Honorable Sir Kennedy Simmonds, former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Federation’s only living national hero, said he first met the Hon. Amory decades ago through their involvement in cricket, and who over time became someone he looked up to as a fellow politician. He spoke of Mr Amory’s dedication to the betterment of the people of Nevis and his love for the island and the country as a whole.

“Vance Amory was a favorite and devoted son of Nevis. Over the years, he grew in stature and earned the respect and esteem of the people of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Much can and will be said of his remarkable and exceptional life of service. The late Prime Minister Amory was a strong advocate for the people of Nevis and a statesman of St. Kitts and Nevis. He has earned the trust, respect and love of the people of Nevis and St. Kitts. His name and his legacy will live forever,” he said.

Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament, Hon. Dr Denzil Douglas said that although he and the former prime minister had the opportunity to butt heads in the political arena during their tenure at the helm, there was a cordiality and friendliness with which they were going about their business.

“There have been many occasions where we have worked together for the benefit of the people of Nevis and the people of St. Kitts as well. I cherish those moments. He was a complete personality whose contribution to his country was not limited to politics. May the words and gestures of support in the days ahead bring the comfort that will be so urgent at this time, and may His Excellency now rest in eternal peace. »

Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) party, Hon. Shawn Richards explained how Mr Amory had motivated and supported him as a young politician, also explaining how the late Ambassador would send him encouraging text messages as a Cabinet colleague.

He described Mr. Amory as a fearless man and a determined and valiant political leader.

“It takes a special man with bravery to challenge his former boss and defeat him and his party after the first attempt at elective politics. The victory of the new team [Concerned Citizens Movement] CCM during the twenty-two [Nevis Reformation Party] NRP in 1992, remains one of Nevis’ best political chronicles. I must say that if [Sir] Simeon Daniel is considered the architect of modern Nevis, so Vance Amory must also be credited as an entrepreneur of what the economy of Nevis has become today.

Prime Minister Hon. Dr Timothy Harris said: “When Ambassador Amory breathed his last on Saturday 02 April 2022, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis lost a faithful, astute politician and seasoned statesman. That day I personally lost a friend, a principled and honest political partner in team unity government, and a source of wise counsel on which I had come to rely for the past ten years. years.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Hon, Eric Evelyn and Hon. Spencer Brand, elected members of the Nevis Island Assembly, together with appointed members Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams and the Hon. Troy Liburd.

Hon. Joseph Parry, former Premier of Nevis; Ms. Jean Nisbett-Harris, former elected member of the Nevis Island Assembly; and Mr. Livingston Herbert, a former appointed Member of the Nevis Island Assembly, in their remarks shared fond memories of interactions with the late Ambassador. The Honorable Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds, Opposition Member of the Nevis Island Assembly, also delivered brief remarks.

Speaker of the Nevis Island Assembly Hon. Farrell Smithen read the message from Governor General Sir SW Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, and Mrs. Myra Williams, Clerk of the Assembly, read the message from Her Worship Hyleeta Liburd, Deputy Governor General at Nevis.

Members of the Federal Government, opposition parliamentarians in the National Assembly, members of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), as well as permanent secretaries, directors and other officials of the NIA were among those present in the gallery on the auspicious occasion.

A minute of silence was observed during the meeting in honor of His Excellency the late Hon. Vance Amory.

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