Minister’s Remarks During Myles Munroe Gala, July 2017
Your Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor – General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,
Dr The Hon. Hubert Alexander Minnis, Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
The Hon. Halston Moultrie and Mrs. Moultrie
Ambassador Andrew Young
Myles Jr. and Charisa Munroe
Dr. Bernice King
Distinguished Rev. Ladies and Gentlemen
Mr. & Mrs. Sands
Other invited Guests
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Good Evening:
I would like to begin by offering my condolences to the Munroe family on the loss of a Veteran earlier this year. As he would say, he was the root, Dr. Myles was the shoot and Myles Jr. was the fruit ! Without him, we would not have the occasion to be here tonight.
It is indeed a pleasure to be with you here tonight as we celebrate the life and legacy of two extraordinary Bahamians, Dr. Myles and Ruth Munroe. As I adjust to my new role as the Chief Diplomat of The Bahamas, I look around our family of Islands and throughout our history for great men and women to emulate and form whom I can draw inspiration as I carry out my functions. Fortunately, there are many Bahamians who have done great things, both here at home and internationally. Few, however, have made the mark that Dr. Myles has. When we go into the world, the name Myles Munroe is synonymous with The Bahamas. This speaks to the legacy of a man who gave unselfishly of himself to all he encountered. His teachings have impacted the lives of so many here today, and will continue to do so with generations to come.
Many of our leaders have had the fortune of being mentored by Dr. Myles; some of them even serve with me in the House of Assembly and Cabinet. These men and women are in place today to do the work that will build a better tomorrow. This is one of the greatest lessons Dr. Myles preached. Give all of yourself while you are here on earth; take none of your God-given gifts to the grave with you. This lesson from which we all can learn, and it is one we see in the man I have the honour of introducing tonight.
Dr. Hubert Alexander Minnis has a story that is familiar to many of u. His is The Bahamian story. He, like Dr. Myles, was born in Bain Town to a family of modest means, but abundant spirit. He often recounts his childhood, having to work to help earn his keep by sewing pants and assisting in the family business. He knows what it is to leave class because the fees weren’t paid. But, through it all, he completed his schooling at Saint Augustine’s College, after which he went on to study at the University of the West Indies, where he obtained a Doctor of Medicine degree. He established a successful career as an OBGYN both in the public and private sector. In 2007 he entered front-line politics, winning the Killarney seat and serving as Minister of Health. Since then he has gone on to become Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, and on May 10th the Bahamian people gave him a well-deserved promotion when they made him the fourth Prime Minister in an independent Bahamas.
Things were not always easy, but adversity builds character. Dr. Minnis understands the experience of the many Bahamian families that must figure out how to make a dollar stretch to meet bills, feed the entire family and then pay school fees. He was fortunate to advance himself through education, hard work and discipline. Despite his successes, he has never forgotten from whence he came; he has not forgotten the struggle in the lives of many Bahamians, and through his actions he has demonstrated a commitment to help others overcome that struggle.
Dr. Myles once said, “True leaders don’t invest in buildings … They invest in people … Because success without a successor is failure. Your legacy should not be in buildings, programmers or projects. Your legacy must be in people.” While there are some that believe It’s the People’s time ‘is a mere political slogan, Dr. Minnis has made it the mantra by which we must govern. It’s the people’s time’ is a recognition that the only way to adequately address the challenges facing our Country is through educating and empowering people so that they may give the best of themselves to each other and to the world. It’s the people’s time’ will be remembered as more than just the slogan upon which Dr. Minnis led the Free National Movement to a historic victory; it will be remembered as his legacy. This legacy, by Dr. Myles’ measurement, is a legacy well worth the struggles, battles, the dedication and the perseverance that has brought him to where he is today. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Dr. Hubert Alexander Minnis.