Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4768/-1/135/
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CM: "ANGUILLA AS GOOD AS ANY, BETTER THAN MANY"
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Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, was given a round of applause during his Anguilla Day address at the Ronald Webster Park on Wednesday, May 30, when he said these words: “I will be brave enough to say here today that this little island of Anguilla is as good as any; better than many and inferior to none.”
Mr. Fleming went on: “Fellow Anguillians, compare your lives with others and you will be surprised how blessed we are. If you are in good health, be thankful; if you are working, be thankful; if you are in college, be thankful. There are those who worse off than us. Let s think about the possible things in life and be thankful.”
He was grateful to the British Government for all of its assistance to the people of Anguilla over the past years and requested Governor Andrew George to convey such gratitude to the officials in London.
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CM Fleming
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The Chief Minister continued: “the decision made by our leaders of that era [1967] was faithful, right, brave and set the path of unprecedented development for Anguilla. This year’s theme is ‘Reflecting on the past, celebrating the present, providing inspiration for future generations.’ It is one of the most pertinent themes ever chosen for our annual celebrations. The relative quiet of today provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the past generation of Anguillians who contributed so much to our national development.”
Mr. Fleming singled out Revolutionary Leader, Ronald Webster, for much commendation. “Your commitment and your contribution to the development of our country will forever be written in the annals of history,” he stated. “You, Mr. Webster, are responsible for paving the way for a number of us who served with you and are still serving today and for that we thank you.”
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CM Fleming insepcting parade
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On matters of development, he said: “Our tourism product has been the main engine of national development for the past generation. We have a civil service that today is one of the best in the English-speaking Caribbean. We have built a private sector that previously to 1967 was relegated to a few small shops…We have built the infrastructure of our country by and large from local resources though very few. We have built a stable democracy based on the rule of law and the orderly transition of power between successive governments. All of this, however, could not have been done if we did not build our people as well. The most important construction project ever undertaken in this country, over the last forty years, was the building of the Anguillian people. Successive governments have committed significant funding to the training of our people and today we have seen the results.
“Our tourism industry and construction sector continue to contribute almost fifty percent of our GDP. This level of economic activity cannot be allowed to go unrecognised during the 40th Anniversary celebrations. Everyone in this country will recognise the impact our partners have on that development. Even those of us who do not work in the tourism and construction sector can richly benefit from these industries.”
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Police march pass dias
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The Chief Minister took the opportunity to call the names of various local and foreign developers and the outstanding contribution they have made and are making to the economic development of the island.
He sounded however this note of caution: “It would be remiss of me if, at this juncture, I did not mention the crime elements in Anguilla which can break down all the progress we have made over the last forty years. We are not happy about it and call on all Anguillians to rise to the cause to ensure that we eradicate this scourge.”
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Paathfinders march pass dias
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Mr. Fleming spoke to some extent on the opportunities available to all young people in Anguilla and called on them to examine whether of not they are contributing to nation-building. He added: “There are more jobs here than we can handle… We all must become involved in activities which will leave this country a better place than we met it…Our country has given all of us a level of prosperity that we can be proud of... On this 40th Anniversary let us continue to build Anguilla in keeping with the vision of Ronald Webster, Atlin Harrigan and all the others so that their dreams, their aspirations their toiling and their fight would not be in vain.”
