Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes presents Instrument of Appointment to 10 Government Senators Monday, May 21 at Government House. (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes presented 10 new Government Senators with their Instruments of Appointment during an Appointment Ceremony at Government House, Monday, May 21, 2012.

The new Senators include:
Senator the Hon. Frank Edward Smith
Senator the Hon. Gregory Conrad Burrows
Senator the Hon. Jerome Pastel Gomez
Senator the Hon. Julian Bedell Russell
Senator the Hon. Gary Martin Sawyer
Senator the Hon. Henry Alexander Leon Storr
Senator the Hon. Sharon Roena Wilson
Senator the Hon. Joseph Ricardo Curry
Senator the Hon. Cheryl Eloise Bazard

They join Senator the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson and Senator the Hon. Keith Bell who received their Instruments of Appointment when they were appointed to Cabinet positions during earlier ceremonies at Government House.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie; Mrs Bernadette Christie; Lady Foulkes; Members of Parliament; civic leaders; senior government officials; family of the Senators and scores of well-wishers were present for the event.

Prime Minister Christie said he was struck by the age demographic represented by the group, and also by the large number of first-time Parliamentarians.

“Indeed, with the exception of Mrs Wilson, the former and I suspect future president of the Senate, the only other Government Senator with prior parliamentary experience amongst the 12 of them is Senator Maynard-Gibson.

“This newness, seasoned with tried and tested experience, augurs well with the generational change that is already well underway regarding politics in our country,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is so refreshing, to see so many new persons stepping forward to take their part in the governance of our country.”

Prime Minister Christie noted that those on his team not chosen to serve on the Senate, may be afforded the opportunity, later during this government’s current term.
He said, “In the meantime, other forms of important service to the nation will be made available to them. I will see to that.”

The Prime Minister said, “Now that the Parliament of The Bahamas is fully constituted, we all look forward to the opening of Parliament within the next two days.

“There is a great deal of work ahead of us; I am sure that all Senators have put themselves in a state of full readiness to play their part in the further building of our beloved nation,” he added.

Prime Minister Christie brings remarks to new Senators

Hon. Gregory Burrows (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Julian Russell (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Jerome Gomez (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Frank Smith (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Tanisha Tynes (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Joseph Curry (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Cheryl Bazard (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Sharon Wilson (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Gary Sawyer (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)

Hon. Henry Storr (Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS)