Music, dance performances and memorial messages marked the annual holiday in honour of the territory’s first chief minister, Hamilton Lavity Stoutt, on Monday.
Known for his role establishing institutions like the Central Administration Building and the college named after him, Mr. Stoutt was remembered at the ceremony as an example for today’s Virgin Islanders by Andrew Fahie, who holds Mr. Stoutt’s former seat representing the First District.
The opposition member also outlined a brief biography of Mr. Stoutt, who was born in 1929, married in 1956, and had six children. Mr. Stoutt served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, church steward, and preacher at the West End Zion Hill Methodist Church.
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said Mr. Stoutt provided an example for current leaders in the territory.
“The honourable Lavity Stoutt was not interested in himself or his own fame,” Dr. Smith said.
See the March 7, 2013 edition for full coverage.
AUDIO: Listen to the H. Lavity Stoutt Commemorative Choir performing during Monday’s ceremony.
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