Remarks By The Prime Minister
21st May 2012 at Government House
I should like to thank you once again for your gracious hospitality in hosting this ceremony here at Government House this afternoon.
Happily, this marks the final event in a series of such events, starting with my own swearing-in as Prime Minister. You have been so very kind to me and my colleagues over the past two weeks in making the facilities of Government House available, oftentimes at short notice.
I should therefore wish to publicly record my appreciation to your Excellencies and the very fine staff of Government House for all the courtesies that have been so graciously extended to us.
It gives me great pleasure to extend my personal congratulations to each of the 10 new Senators who have received their instruments of appointment today, and who have accordingly joined Senators Maynard Gibson and Bell who were previously appointed as Senators when they were appointed to my cabinet a short time ago.
I am particularly struck by the geographical balance that is reflected in this group. The islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco are particularly well represented along with New Providence, of course, as the primary population centre of our country.
I am also struck by the age-distribution that is represented by this group and, in particular, by the large number of first-time parliamentarians. Indeed with the exception of Mrs. Wilson who is a former and, I suspect, a future President of the Senate, the only other Government Senator with prior parliamentary experience among the 12 Government Senators is Senator Maynard Gibson.
This newness, seasoned with tried and tested experience, augurs well for the generational change that is already well underway in the body politic of our country.
It is so refreshing to see so many new persons stepping forward to play their part in the governance of our country. This replenishment of the blood supply to the body politic is what helps to maintain the robust health of our democracy.
Above all, however, I am struck by what a fine group of talented and patriotic Bahamians we have assembled for the Government in the upper chamber of the national legislature.
Looking at them as a group, and as individuals, it gives me a great deal of re-assurance to know that some of our best people are continuing to answer the call for higher service.
I only wish that I could have had more seats in the Senate at my disposal because there were so many others who were deserving of inclusion as well. I am satisfied, however, that with mid-term adjustments and the inevitable process of attrition, some of these others will be afforded the opportunity for service in the Senate during our current term in office. In the meantime, other forms of important service to the nation will be made available to them. I will see to that.
Now that the Parliament of the Bahamas is fully constituted, we all look forward to the Opening of Parliament in less than two days time. There is a great deal of work ahead of us. I am sure, therefore, that all Senators have put themselves in a state of full readiness to play their part in the further building of our beloved nation.
