CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
BY THE HON. FRED MITCHELL
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
THE FOX HILL CONSTITUENCY
23^rd December 2005

 
December 24, 2005

          Two years ago when I celebrated my fiftieth birthday, I remarked how time had passed so quickly.  It was only yesterday, working at this very Broadcasting Corporation, sitting at the feet of some of the founders of our country, seeking to find my way in the world.  Today I recall the words of the poet; I have miles to go before I sleep.

            I have an urgent task to pass on, an agenda of unfinished ideas and values to the next generation. And so having the honour and privilege to serve as the representative for Fox Hill and a Minister of the Government, I try to surround myself with bright young able men and women.

            Those ideas of mine are the same as those of my party, the promotion of pluralism, tolerance, fairness and equity, high ethical standards and the empowerment of the poor and dispossessed of The Bahamas.

            During the past year in Fox Hill, the focus has been on the young and their education.  The children at Sandilands Primary School, the L.W. Young School, the Dame Doris Johnson School must be central to all our efforts.  It is to them that I dedicate the remaining months of this term.

            On a political level, when we chose young persons like Jason Ferguson and Larry Wilmott to be our branch Chairs, succeeded by Troy Ferguson, it was to send a signal that they are the future of The Bahamas.  Business people like Charles Johnson, Derek Davis are examples of how one can succeed not only in politics but in business as well.

            So as we approach the year 2006, I say we have much to be thankful for.  We have waiting in the wings a cadre of young people to whom we can pass this country.

            2006 then must be the year of a people’s agenda, focused on more job creation for young people, housing for young couples trying to get a start in life, urban renewal to protect the old and support the young.  This people’s agenda in 2006 is a fine-tuning of that which we have already done.

             Our happiness at all that has happened in 2005 is tempered, however, by the sadness we all feel for the people of Bimini, who suffer, having lost 11 of their citizens in the recent plane crash, and the victims of Hurricane Wilma that struck the people of Grand Bahama.  Our prayers are with them.

            I again send out special greetings to the people of Exuma and their representative Anthony Moss with whom I have had the honour of working over the past year.  I look forward to returning to Exuma soon.

            This is Christmas.  Let us remember our successes and our blessings.  Let us commit ourselves to protect the old and support the young in 2006 and adopt our people’s agenda. 

            A merry Christmas to you all in the Fox Hill constituency and have a prosperous new year.

End.