The 17^th annual memorial celebration to pay homage to the Territory’s first Chief Minister, the late Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt will be held March 6.

The celebrations will be held under the theme, ‘H. Lavity Stoutt: A Freedom Leader’.

The event is hosted by the Government of the Virgin Islands in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Commemorative Committee and will feature presentations from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Sting Rays, H. Lavity Stoutt Commemorative Choir, Zion Sounds and the Zion Hill and Carrot Bay Methodist Choirs.

Featured speakers will include Premier of the Virgin Islands and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE; Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn; and Leader of the Opposition and First District Representative, Honourable Andrew Fahie.

Following a commemorative march from Sebastian’s Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m. to the Cappoon’s Bay burial grounds, the day’s celebration will take place with the inclusion of the annual wreath-laying ceremony at 9:00 a.m. The Honourable Premier, Leader of the Opposition and a family representative will pay their respects.

The late H. Lavity Stoutt was born on March 7, 1929. He served as Chief Minister of the Virgin Islands for over sixteen years and is credited with establishing the Cruise Ship Pier, creating the Social Security Scheme, overseeing the construction of the Central Administration Complex and spearheading the development of the local Community College, which is named in his honour.

Mr. Stoutt was at the helm throughout the Territory’s development as an international finance centre and was described as being very passionate and committed to the development of educational opportunities for the people of these islands.

The first Monday in March is declared a public holiday in celebration of the anniversary of the birthday of the Territory’s first Chief Minister. He died on May 14, 1995.

The public is invited to the celebrations.

The Government of the Virgin Islands through the Ministry of Education and Culture celebrates the life of the late Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt as a person of historic significance to the Territory.