The territory’s first Chief Minister the late Honourable Hamilton Lavity Stoutt was remembered as a man of and for the people, during his 27th Annual Memorial Celebration and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Monday.
The ceremony was held at the Cappoon’s Bay Burial Ground and saw several distinguished members of the community attending, including elected and government officials and prominent business men and women.
Speaking during the ceremony, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew Fahie praised the late Stoutt for his contribution to the BVI during his tenure as Chief Minister.
He also noted that this is the first memorial that Mr. Stoutt’s now late wife Mrs. Hilda Stoutt is not present due to her recent passing.
Premier Fahie said Mrs. Stoutt was the back bone of the late Chief Minister and it was her behind the scenes role that contributed to Mr. Stoutt being the stalwart he was.
Also speaking on the late great leader was Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Culture Dr. Honourable Natalio Wheatley who referred to H. Lavity Stoutt as a warrior of freedom.
Meanwhile, businessman Meade Malone also took a trip down memory lane, as he remembered Mr. Stoutt as a visionary who had the interest of the BVI as his first priority.
Hamilton Lavity Stoutt was the first and longest serving Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands, winning five general elections (1967, 1979, 1987, 1991 and 1995).
He also served three non-consecutive terms of office from 1967 to 1971, 1981 to 1983 and again from 1986 until his death in 1995.
Mr. Stoutt also served as a parliamentarian in the legislative council prior to the adoption of the 1967 constitution.