FOUNDING FATHERS HONORED AND SPEAK AT HISTORIC CONSTITUTION DAY EVENT (BAHAMAS CARIFTA TEAM JOIN FOUNDING FATHERS ATTENDED BFM CONSTITUTION DAY)
This past weekend history was made as over three thousand people filled the Diplomat Center for the first “Constitution Day” celebration to honor five of the remaining framers of the Bahamas Constitution who were hailed as fathers of the nation. The honored guests included His Excellency Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, Former Governors General His Excellency Sir Orville Turnquest, His Excellency Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, along with Hon. Loftus Roker, and Hon. Phillip Bethel.
After a lively worship experience with thousands of hands raised in thanksgiving to God and public reading of scripture the historic program began with Chairpersons Mr. Merritt Storr and Mr. Wence Martin inviting the Honorees each to come to the stage to receive the first Constitutional Day Honors for their historic contribution to the establishment, birth and development of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The historic day was the brain child of the outstanding community Dr. Myles Munroe and hosted by Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship on Sunday March 24th 2013 at the Diplomat Center 10am.
The historic event was well attended as a capacity of over three thousand attend packed the Diplomat Center for the first ever Constitution Day, a day set aside to bring together the remaining framers of the Bahamas Constitution to honor them for their historic contribution to the birth and development of the Bahamas and to also focus on the value, powers and significance of the constitution in the life of every citizen.
With standing room only the remaining framers of the Constitution of the Bahamas each received standing ovations as their faces were projected on the giant screens at the front of the auditorium and their profiles were read aloud recounting their historic journey and their accomplishments which earned them the distinction of being recognized as fathers of the nation of the Bahamas.
The loud cheers of applause and shouts of appreciation each member of this distinguished party of national heroes beginning with the present Governor General His Excellency Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes followed by Former Governor Generals Sir Orville Turnquest, His Excellency Arthur D. Hanna, the Hon. Loftus Roker, and Hon. Phillip Bethel were presented with a beautiful award with honor at the first Constitution Day by Dr. Myles Munroe, Bahamas Faith Ministries and thousands of community well wishes on Sunday March 24th 2013 at the Diplomat Center 10am.
The Chairman of the session Mr. Merritt Storr in welcoming the leaders to the stage began by stating; “As we celebrate the Bahamas historic fortieth independence anniversary, along with the Government’s appointment of the Constitutional Commission to consider major reforms to the National Constitution, this day is a defining moment of appreciation for those who fought and labored for out nations birth and development and their place in our history and future of the Bahamas.”
As each honoree received his award they were then invited to sit on the stage at a table draped in the colors of the flag after which each were invited to speak and address specific items in the Constitution which were presently under consideration by the Constitutional Commission.
The response to each question was so potent that the auditorium was filled awe and shouts of amazement as for the first time in our history the community heard directly from those who were responsible for crafting the content of the Constitution of the Bahamas Throughout the thought-provoking session complementary mention of made of many of the framers who were deceased including The Rt. Hon. Sir Linden Pindling, and The Rt. Hon. Cecil Wallace Whitfield and Reverend Rubin Cooper and others.
This excitement exploded when the Hon. Loftus Roker addressed the Question of Immigration and expressed his concern regarding his lightly the average Bahamian was taking the hard –fought right to sovereignty and citizenship.
Everyone who attended said this historic events said they were deeply impacted hearing from the originators of Constitution and have begun to understand how valuable the document is to their personal and collective lives.
Bahamas Faith Ministries (BFM) also made history this Sunday March 24th when copied of the Constitution was distributed to members of the community present as thousands were look on. The event was also carried live on GEMS radio, and television including live streaming to over 50 nations as hundreds of thousands watched the historic event unfold on the Bahamas. Scores of online viewers continue to write expressing their impression of the dignity and standard the Bahamas was showing in honoring their elder statesmen.
The many Bahamians in attendance expressed their sense of pride and deep recommitment to the nation as they had never had the opportunity to see all of these distinguished leaders together in one place and speaking as eye witnesses of the formation of the Constitution. “It was like living history all over again” said Dr. Richard Demeritt, former Auditor General of the Bahamas.
Also in attendance at Bahamas Faith Ministries’ first Constitution Day were Hon. Henry and Janet Bostwick, Attorney General Senator Allyson Maynard Gibson, Speaker of the House Hon. Kendal Major, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Hubert and Mrs. Minnis, Minister of Aviation and Transport Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, Hon. Richard Lightbourne former Cabinet Minister Carl Bethel, President of the Bahamas Bar Association, and representatives of the Constitution Commission and many others.
Dr. Munroe in his final remarks addressed the need for the Bahamas to protect its sovereignty and also safe guard the quality of is democracy by never moving away from the Preamble as it reference and standard for judging its laws and regulations. His concluded stating; “Honoring the Constitution as a sovereign nation, born on July 10th 1973 the Bahamas has progressed to become a major influence in the world of entertainment, tourism and sports and boasts being the leading tourism destination in the Caribbean region.
” He continued, “The Bahamas, a former colony of Great Britain experienced a bloodless and peaceful transition from a colony to an independent democratic state and has emerged as one of the most progressive small nations in the world and this we must not offer for sale on the altar of the world.
Attorney General Senator Hon, Allyson Maynard Gibson speaking on behalf of the Prime Minster stated: I would like to thank Dr. Myles Munroe for the institution of the First Annual CONSTITUTION DAY and the progressive insight to recognize and honor the FOUNDING FATHERS of our nation and I hope this will continue.”
Mr. Hubert Minnis responding to his experience at the event said; “On the fortieth anniversary of Independence the nation which marks the end of a generation and looks back at its accomplishments and achievements with a view to charting the course for the next generation this meeting is a major milestone in that process we all want to thank Dr. Myles Munroe and the Bahamas Faith Ministries Family for calling the nation together above politics. This is an amazing day and I am overwhelmed”
The major consideration of the present government at this juncture is to review the National Constitution with the intent of revising and reforming this sacred document that makes the nation that contains the ideals, aspiration and national commitment of the people. Many of the framers of the Constitution under the leadership of the then premier Sir Lynden Pindling, who participated in the creation and foundations of the nation, have passed on and the few that are still with us are considered national treasures. The Purpose for the Constitution Day was in celebration of the nation’s milestone of forty years as an independent nation and to draw attention to the value, role and significance of the constitution and those who labored and sacrificed for the birth of the nation.
The founding fathers honored during the service were allowed to answer important questions on the issues and their perspectives on items of intent in the constitution. Hon. Loftus Roker addressed the issue of Immigration, Hon Arthur d. Hanna addressed the issue of Sovereignty, the Sir Arthur Foulkes addressed the issue of the preamble, Sir Orville Turnquest addressed the issue of the Powers of the Prime Minister, and Hon George Smith addressed the issue of the validity of the Senate and why it was established.
Speaking to the significance of this historic event senior pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries Dr. Myles Munroe stated: “This event is important because it is rare to have all of these significant leaders together in one place to address issues concerning the constitution in which they had a role in developing and to hear from them personally on issues of constitutional reform.” Dr. Munroe continued; “I am deeply honored and humbled to even be in the same room with such great men. It is my hope that the thousands of Bahamians who attended heard from theses fathers this may well be the last time such an opportunity might be been possible”
Merritt Storr director of the BFM Legal committee said; “We are so humbled and pleased that our living national founding and framers of the constitution agreed to come together to share their heart with the nation and we were excited that the children and youth of our church the community were able to see and meet them. This is historic and will never be forgotten. Mr. Storr further stressed; “We at BFM are proud of these outstanding leaders and believe they deserve honor while they are alive.”
Wence Martin, a lawyer specializing in constitutional law and coordinator of the special BFM event describes Constitutional Day as a “A first of its kind and a landmark event as it involves our living legends who are the embodiment of the history, the struggle, the cost and value of our freedom, sovereignty and constitutional rights as a people. I am proud and excited to be associated with this historic event.
Also joining the founding fathers at the Diplomat Center on Sunday March 24th at the BFM Constitution Day Event will be over one hundred members of the Bahamas Carifta Team. Lead Coach for the Carifta Team Mr. Greg Cash stated, “We are excited to have had the whole in the presence of the founding fathers of the nation we will be representing at this year’s CARIFTA know that the prayers of Dr. Munroe over the team and the support of our leaders and community will inspirer our athletes and coaches and team Bahamas to our best and bring home gold to this nation we love.”
