The nation remembers J. A. G. S. McCartney The nation today remembers its first Chief Minister and national hero James Alexander George Smith McCartney, also known as J. A. G. S.
McCartney or "Jags" McCartney. It’s no small wonder that Jags branched out into politics, having been named after a prominent Jamaican barrister and distinguished legislator,
James Alexander George Smith.
J.A.G.S. founded the People's Democratic Movement (PDM), considered a grassroots organization, established to address the many social and
economic ills that had been pervasive throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. A central goal of his was the attainment of self-determination
for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He had particularly sought to mobilize the youth in the political process.
JAGS was regarded as a charismatic, dynamic and visionary figure, who was determined to usher in a new Constitution that would foster and safeguard
the rights of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, create new opportunities for citizens and advance the Country. Assuming office at age 31, McCartney was
regarded as one of the world's youngest democratically elected leaders in history.
McCartney was the island’s first Chief Minister and held that position from August 1976 until 9 May 1980, when he died in a plane crash over New
Jersey while on official business for the country.
Today, RTC’s Expression’s dedicated a portion of its programme to the memory of the country’s only national hero. Though plagued with heart problem from a child, many recalled McCartney in
his vision for the Turks and Caicos Islands, championing equal rights and justice for his people, as a man with a big heart; a humble person – a
people’s person.
Former Chief Minister of the TCI, Mr. Norman Saunders, who was a classmate of the late JAGS McCartney, as well as a cricket enthusiast (like JAGS),
said they fought on many political issues, but it was friendly, political rivalry.
A caller into Expressions recalled few of the issues that Mr. McCartney lobbied for on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands just a few months
before his death.
Questions abound though as to how much the TCI has progressed since Mr. McCartney’s death and what we as a people are doing to keep the dream of
the country’s first Chief Minister alive.
Another caller on the programme looked up to Mr. McCartney from a little boy and has hung onto the dreams of his idol.
His sentiments were shared by yet another listener who has no doubt that
we are where we are today for lack of visionaries like the late McCartney.
Listeners voicing their concerns during a segment of today’s radio programme Expressions, which was dedicated to the country’s first Chief Minister and only national hero, the Honorable James Alexander George
Smith McCartney.
National Heroes Day, which commemorates the life of McCartney, is designated a holiday throughout the TCI, on the last Monday in May and
will be celebrated on May 30th. A number of activities have been planned in observance of this day, including a wreath laying ceremony at which
Expressions host Robert Hall, will be the guest speaker.
RTC News will have details of other activities in a subsequent newscast.
