ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 30th June, 2014…….The country’s newly elected leader, Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne has announced that his government will be taking immediate steps to have former Prime Minister the Honourable Lester Bird conferred with the honour of National Hero of Antigua and Barbuda.
Prime Minister Browne made the announcement following the swearing in of the veteran politician as Senior Minister in the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.
“I want to go on record once again and state that Lester Bird would have made the second largest contribution towards the socio-economic development of this country. There is no other, barring Sir Vere Bird Sr. who would have made a more significant contribution towards the advancement of this country. I believe that we all as Antiguans and Barbudans owe him a debt of gratitude. There is no doubt that he is the father of modern Antigua and Barbuda. I say to you today that in very short order that we will be knighting him. We are going to go a step further and appoint him as our second living National Hero,” said Prime Minister Browne
Prime Minister Browne also congratulated the Honourable Lester Bird for his over forty years of political service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
“Fifteen years ago I sat in a different position. It is now a role reversal. It is role reversal because fifteen years ago he appointed me as a minister – the youngest minister in the cabinet then. It would have been as a result of his foresight why I would have been in this position today and I want to thank you very much sir. I take this opportunity to wish you a long life. We will be better off as a result of your good counsel,” noted PM Browne.
In response, former Prime Minister Bird thanked Prime Minister Browne for his generous and magnanimous decision in naming him a senior minister, giving him the opportunity to play a part in rebuilding Antigua and Barbuda
“I have no doubts that he will make sure that when he goes out and speak on behalf of the people he will do an excellent job. I had the privilege of being Prime Minister and I am sure that Prime Minister Browne will take the opportunity being given and create an Antigua and Barbuda that is worthy of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. I want you to give him your full support. Mr. PM, I wish you every success in everything you are doing,” remarked Former Prime Minister Lester Bird.
Close friend and member of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Asot Michael also echoed the sentiments of Prime Minister Browne noting that the Honourable Lester Bird is well deserving of any honour Antigua and Barbuda may bestow on him.
“There is no honour that is too great for this country to bestow upon you. I want to say to the comrades and all of Antigua and Barbuda that Lester Bird’s contribution to the socio-economic development of Antigua and Barbuda is unmatched. His contributions will go down in the history of Antigua and Barbuda. Your legacy will live on. We all depend on his wise counsel and guidance,” said Minister Asot Michael.
It is believed that during the first sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Browne will move to have appointed the Advisory Committee of the National Heroes Act which will make preparations for the conferring of the honour of National Hero on former Prime Minister Lester Bird.
Former Prime Minister Bird’s career in politics spanned from 1971 to present having held the positions of Senator, Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and appointed the second Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
