Hon. Stephenson King observes first year as PM remembering predecessor
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Contact: Julita Peter
Tuesday, 09 September 2008 – Prime Minister Hon. Stephenson King acknowledged the one-year anniversary of Sir John Compton’s passing, in a televised statement to the nation on Sunday 7th September 2008. Prime Minister King reflected on Sir John’s contribution, not only to politics, but the advancement of health, education and other social services
It was on that exact day last years that Sir John lost his battle with illness associated with a series of strokes he suffered months earlier.
“The Sir John that I knew was a man with a deep commitment to free his country from the shackles of colonialism and to take it to its rightful place in the regional arena. He was a man with a strong sense of patriotism and pride in country. His faith in Saint Lucia sustained and nourished him with a tenacity that allowed him to achieve his lofty ideals. Sir John was pro- people and all his policies, programmes and projects reflected this quality,” Prime Minister King said in his statement.
Prime Minister King said the collective efforts of all Saint Lucians are needed in order to build on the legacy of Sir John.
It was just two days after Sir John’s death, on September 9th 2007, Mr. King, the Member of Parliament Castries North, was sworn-in as the island’s new Prime Minister. He too has been reflecting on how his life has been impacted by his association with the late Sir John. “As a young man I was privileged to have worked with Sir John. He was to me more than just a towering figure on our political landscape. His life, his history from humble beginnings and his love and passion for his country and faith, provide guiding principles for us across the region. He was more than just an ideal. He is somebody we ought to enshrine, somebody we can use to cast a light of preponderance on ourselves as a society,” said the prime minister.
The prime minister expressed his thanks to the Compton-family for their sacrifice during Sir John's political career, and as well extended commendation to Saint Lucians for the respect demonstrated in giving Sir John a befitting send off.
Sir John Compton, who led Saint Lucia under British rule from 1964 to 1979, was the country's first Prime Minister when the island became independent in February 1979. He served from 1982 to 1996, and from 2006 until his death in 2007. |
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