BIS Photo/Ulric Woodside
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Mr. Speaker,
It is always my distinct privilege and honour to rise in these hallowed halls on behalf of the people of North Abaco whom I believe are the strongest, determined, most industrious and resilient people in the world.
I begin my contribution to this 2021/22 Budget by giving thanks to Almighty God who anchors, guides, directs and keeps me in all that I do. He alone continues to be the source of my strength and the only hope I have in the life to come.
I extend condolences to Gary and Donna Hudson of Treasure Cay, who lost their son a couple of weeks ago
in a traffic accident; to Cousin Alice Morley and her family on the passing of Elenor Hield last week and to Craig and Percil Cephas of Grand Cay on the tragic death of their son on Friday past. I also extend condolences to Douglas Evans and his family on the recent passing of his parents Lloyd and Mispah Evans. And to the families of Reverend Addison A. Turnquest and Mrs. Stephanie Wells, who both recently passed. We assure the families of our prayers and support.
Mr. Speaker,
I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Right Honourable Dame Janet Bostwick on receiving the 2021 CARICOM Triennial Award for Women, which recognizes her contributions to society.
This most prestigious regional award—among other things—is given to Caribbean women who have distinguished themselves in the socio-economic development of the community and for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
I had the privilege of personally congratulating Dame Bostwick over the weekend and I know that my colleague the Minister of Social Services who campaigned to achieve this honour will speak more on it when he makes his contribution in this place.
Mr. Speaker,
On a personal note
My wife of 36-years—Deidre, whom we affectionately call Sirdae—remains my north star who leads to the sanctuary and safety of the home, which she has built for my children and I over all these years.
BIS Photo/Ulric Woodside
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I honour my maternal grandmother Ann Louise Cornish and my mother, Evelyn Cornish Henfield—both of whom have gone on to their eternal rest. They believed in me, encouraged me, prayed for me and loved me unconditionally.
My father—Bishop Clifford Henfield—taught me discipline and he values associated with being the leader of one’s family. Dahlya—my granddaughter—has caused me to love in a way that is novel to me.
I thank Prime Minister Minnis for the trust he’s reposed in me to speak on behalf of our beloved nation—both at home and abroad.
It is not lost on me that mine is a most improbable journey. I guess that’s why I don’t have that sense of entitlement that many seem to struggle with.
You see - Mr. Speaker—I’m a little fella from Dundas Town, Abaco—more specifically—Block 30.
Went to Dundas Town, Primary School, graduated Abaco Central High School—worked until I was old enough and like so many other young Bahamians—I enlisted in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in 1980 in the aftermath of the Flamingo incident.
Simply put, I—like most of my generation—am shaped by Independence and inspired by sacrifice and service.
Whilst serving—through the years—I attended Britannia Royal Naval College; the College of The Bahamas; the University of the West Indies and the Naval Post Graduate School.
Mr. Speaker,
God has been good to me. I get to stand on the shoulders consequential Bahamian pioneers and nationalists. Every time I walk into my office at the Ministry, I walk past the photographs of former Foreign Ministers, and
each time I am awed. I mean, think about it, Sir Lynden Pindling, the Hon. Paul L. Adderley, Sir Clement Maynard, Dame Janet Bostwick and the venerable Member from St. Anne’s. That’s pretty high corpus for a lil fella from Block 30
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