Good morning Mr. Speaker, Honorable colleagues, all Turks and Caicos Islanders and the entire resident population in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker I stand here in general support of this Bill for regulating the use of our National Flag and Coat of Arms. As the nation’s foremost symbols, the Turks and Caicos Islands flag and Coat of Arms should be used with respect and dignity at all times. Mr. Speaker, the National Flag and Coat of Arms, is the TCI’s most visible symbol of statehood; it reflects the ideas, beliefs and values of our Nation. Even with the Union Jack on it, for now, this Flag is all we got.
All members in this honourable House of Assembly came here today to discuss and hopefully agree to pass this most important bill. However, Mr. Speaker, the passing of this Bill means nothing unless, it means the triumph of a real democracy, and, in the long run, of an economic system under which each man who has embraced the TCI and made TCI their home shall be guaranteed equal opportunity to achieve the best that there is in them, for all that this country has to offer.
Mr. Speaker, the passing of this Bill alone will not instill national pride and respect that the TCI Flag and Coat of Arms deserves or require. To achieve this national pride it will take time and a serious effort from a serious government but I do believe it is attainable. As a Government we must take concrete steps to ensure that every Government facility has a flag erected. In fact Mr. Speaker, Section 7 subsection 2 of the bill states that “the National Flag may be flown” at government buildings including schools, hospital, vehicles etc. If the PDM had brought this bill Mr. Speaker, the statement would not say “may” but that the National Flag “Shall” be flown at All government buildings, especially at All schools in the country, public and private. Mr. Speaker that is how serious the PDM, the people’s party is about national pride. Mr. Speaker, I will be moving a motion to have that wording change during the committee stage, before this bill is passed.
Mr. Speaker we must also ensure that persons are trained and retrained regarding the various protocols guiding the use of the flag and coat of arms. In fact Mr. Speaker, this should be included within our history and/or social studies courses to ensure that every child that passes through our education system understands the importance of our flag and coat of arms. Integrating this in our curriculum, from the primary school level, will help to foster the respect and pride in the future of our nation.
Mr. Speaker, the Bill speaks to respect and restrictions of the use of the Flag and Coat of Arms, which will require some policing and enforcement. However, Mr. Speaker, like many other Bills that has come before the HOA, the Government has not indicated or made any financial provisions for ensuring compliance with this Bill. If this is not address Mr. Speaker, this Bill will suffer the same fate as many other Bills that have passed in this House. The Immigration and TCI Status ordinances are the most recent examples of this government’s failure to properly bring a bill into implementation.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to section 14 of this Bill which speaks to the National Song “Oh We Salute this Land of Ours” written by Dr. Conrad Howell. Mr. Speaker, I have had the displeasure of observing persons during the singing or playing of this National Song. Persons are moving, talking, walking, chewing etc., in fact some of these very same persons are leaders in our society who seem to either do not care that the national song is being played or they simply do not know any better. I have also noticed that some person’s hands are on their sides, others have their right hands cross over their left chest while others just do not know what to do with their hands. The point I am making Mr. Speaker, is if we do not effectively train all students, all government officials on the proper protocol when the national song is song or for using the national flag and coat of arms, than it will be used incorrectly and not with the level of respect and dignity that such national symbol deserves. Mr. Speaker this again highlights another legislative failure of this government where important bills are passed without any sight of the proposed regulations that will be used to administer the bills. I would like the Premeir to explain in his wrapping of this debate to say why aren’t the draft regulations available and when can one expect to see it.
Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the beginning of my speech I am in favour of the passing of this Bill, however, Mr. Speaker the aim of the Government should not be to simply try to have a track record of the Government with the most Bills that have been brought before this House and that have been subsequently enacted. The aim should be to ensure that when these Bills are drafted that due consideration is given to their implementation and enforcement.
Mr. Speaker I would not be a true patriot to our nation or a loyal follower of the vision that our National Hero the Right Excellent JAGS McCartney who was also a founder and first leader of the party which shares the ideology that I prescribe to. If I did not make mention of the last National Hero’s Day Memorial Ceremony. The flag and coat of arms are symbols of our pride of country and as leaders we must lead by example so the next generation will follow and it will be imbedded in our system. Therefore, Mr. Speaker I was upset to see that out of the entire PNP Government only the Premier was present. This is an indictment on him and his ministers that such an important event was beneath them or somehow less important than whatever else there were doing on that day, which was a public holiday. And Mr. Speaker they will get mad because I highlighted their absence and they will undoubtedly say they have national pride, but I can assure you, the people of the Turks and Caicos and you yourself Mr. Speaker did not see their pride on display at the last National Hero’s Day Memorial Ceremony.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker let me put our Country on notice, next year’s National Hero’s Day under a PDM led government, every minister, every member of cabinet, every head of government departments, All schools and uniform officers will be mandated to turn out to official functions or parades. Mr. Speaker, the Ceremony will also be broadcasted live on all local radio stations. Mr. Speaker make no mistake; this is not a campaign promise it is a true demonstration of our commitment to JAGS’s dream of a unified nation, One Turks and Caicos Islands!
