CHARLESTOWN, Nevis– Government and opposition legislators have paid tribute to former Nevis premier, Vance Amory, who died in the United Kingdom on April 2 at 72.
The former prime minister and other former legislators also participated in the special sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly with Premier Mark Brantley, praising his predecessor.
“Here you have a man who in so many ways excelled who in whatever he put his hand to, as we have heard, did it well. As a nation, we are shaped by what and who we remember. Therefore, it matters today that our country recognizes the life, courage, sacrifice, and legacy of Vance Winkworth Amory.
He devoted much of his adult life to serving his country, his people, and the principles for which it stands. A nation is not just a flag but a nation that embodies our beliefs, aspirations, and values. Throughout his career, Vance Amory understood this and exemplified it.
He said many people have spoken about the legacy of Amory, the founding member of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) that is part of the Team Unity coalition government in the twin-island Federation.
“A lot has been said here today about the life and legacy of Vance and his place among the pantheon of our political heroes. Some may say it falls short of truly representing the man and what he stood for. The praise and tributes mentioned here today may eventually fade, but what will never fade is his impact on the people with whom he came into contact and the country he loved and cherished so dearly,” Premier Brantley said.
Embattled Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, who has been given a deadline of Wednesday to solve the rift within the government, told the ceremony that he wanted to “pay tribute to a man whom I have long considered as the embodiment of a true national hero, and I look forward to the fulfillment of this in due course by the relevant committee.”
After leaving elective politics before the June 2020 general election, Amory was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary in the office of the Prime Minister.
“When Ambassador Amory breathed his last on Saturday, April 2, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis lost a stalwart, an astute politician, and an elder statesman. On that day, I lost a friend, a principled and honest political partner in the Team Unity Government, and a fountain of wise counsel on whom I had come to rely for the past ten years,” Prime Minister Harris said.
Former prime minister Sir Kennedy A. Simmonds, in paying tribute to the retired educator, banker, and cricketer said his political connections with Amory came at the advent of independence in 1983 when he served as permanent secretary of Finance to Premier Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel in the Nevis Island Administration.
“In that capacity, he was directly involved in implementing the financial arrangements between St. Kitts and Nevis as established in the constitution. At close range, I was able to appreciate his high intellect, his close attention to detail, and his total commitment to the welfare of the people of Nevis. However, in 1993, I experienced the statesmanship of Vance Amory,” Dr. Simmonds said.
Other legislators paying tribute at the special sitting were Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards, former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, and former colleague and long-time friend Joseph Parry.
Meanwhile, Governor-General Sir S W Tapley Seaton has issued a notice advising that the official mourning period will begin on Wednesday until Saturday.
The body of the late premier is scheduled to arrive in the Federation on Wednesday and will then lie in state at the Parliamentary Chambers from Thursday until Friday.
The body of the Former Premier will then be transported to his hometown, Nevis, and flags in the Federation are being flown half-mast until his burial.
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