Marigot:--- The Government of St. Martin head by President Alain Richardson made history for the island on Saturday during the Bastille Day celebration when most of the day's program was centered on the youths of the island.The COM's leadership honored several youths and persons who participated and excelled in sports. Professional boxer Francky Paines accepted the token of appreciation and acknowledgement but he made it clear to the elected officials that it has been 20 years he has been in sports and not once he was recognized or got any assistance from government. Paines said it is a good feeling to finally get some recognition now that he is almost at the end of his career. However, government must try to assist and recognize the youths that are fighting to stay above the water when they participate in positive activities. Another youth studying mostly in the US territory also shared the same sentiments as that of Paines. He said he too fought long and hard for his career and it is indeed good for government to recognize them. He also called on the Collectivity to support all the youths that were present on Saturday. Recognition was given to sports men and women in boxing, rugby, basketball, football, and track and field. The President of the first Youth Territorial Council Gael Gumbs was also recognized for his efforts. Presenting the token of appreciation was President Alain Richardson, Territorial Councilor responsible for sports Alain Desormeaux, Prefet Philippe Chopin, and Deputy Daniel Gibbs. However, St. Martin's senator Louis Constant Fleming did not attend the ceremony because he is supposedly in France. It should be noted that year's Bastille Day celebration is the fifth since St. Martin's status changed and the island has in place a new team of Territorial Council members, a senator and deputy in place.
President Richardson also acknowledged a number of students who excelled in their academic achievements and were chosen to attend schools abroad.
Besides the speeches given by elected officials each year, costume display for invited guests on the waterfront and a lunch for those chosen or invited, the President also planted a symbolic Sand Box tree in honor of the radio program hosted by two St. Martiners on Youth Radio. The tree planting was done by President Alain Richardson and fourth vice president Wendell Cocks who is also responsible for agriculture.The day's activities started off with a church service at the Marigot Catholic Church then a wreath laying ceremony was held in the garden of the Collectivity of St. Martin followed by a parade with uniform officers and various scout groups from both sides of the island.
The Governor of St. Maarten drs. Eugene Holiday, his wife first lady Marie Louisa, Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin, Finance Minister Roland Tuitt, Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Romeo Pantophlet, Minister of Justice Roland Duncan, Incoming President of Parliament Rudolph Samuel, Member of Parliament George Pantophlet, Ombudsman Nilda Arduin Lynch were among those that attended Saturday's ceremony. Several dignitaries from neighboring Anguilla including the Chief Minister also attended the annual celebration as is customary.
The theme for this year's Bastille Day 2012 was "Youth and Excellence". President Richardson in his address said the Bastille Day celebration on St. Martin is not just the national celebration but it is extra-ordinary for St. Martin because persons residing in the neighboring islands would make it a point of order to visit the island to celebrate with St. Martiners. Richardson said the youths of St. Martin is the island's largest riches since almost 40% of the population is less that 25 years old, while there are over 10,000 youths that are registered and attending school on the French side therefore the youths are the heart of the RRR government. President Richardson said the President of France also made it clear that the youth is the national priority. He said the youths of St. Martin have been facing the worst days of their lives therefore he stressed that during his tenure in office the youths will be government's priority.
The youths of St. Martin represents a great asset because of their creativity, diversity, talent, and also because of their willingness to take their rightful place in society. President Richardson said all of this became very clear during the last election and adults should also recognize that it is not easy to be youth on St. Martin due to the financial, economical, societal, and health problems that exist and the youths of St. Martin have to face daily. President Richardson said that the youths have fallen victim in the international, national, and regional level.Deputy of St. Martin and St. Barths Daniel Gibbs in his message said that on July 14th the people of Paris took Bastille as a symbol of oppression and tyranny. He said that the celebration of Bastille Day testifies the commitment to revive the history of liberty, equality, and fraternity which transformed France in the 18th century. Gibbs said since the youths are the heart of the 2012 Bastille Day celebration then the youths must be reminded that freedom did not come easily, instead it is a result of common struggle. Gibbs explained that freedom is a precious gift that has to be constantly defended that perpetuates the universal principles of equality, fraternity, peace, solidarity, social justice, all of which has been damaged due to a general crisis. Gibbs called on the government to translate into action the Republican ideals which cannot be exercised without responsibility. Deputy Gibbs said it is the responsibility of the elected officials to permanently revive the collective consciousness by dedicating their actions and by being exemplary since they are the role models for the youths.
Gibbs said while dedicating this Bastille Day to Youth and Excellence it is the duty of the elected to remember the talented musicians on the island. Gibbs said the island's youths are not only the future of St. Martin but they are also the present. Therefore, government should not forget their duties and responsibility towards the youths.
Prefet Philippe Chopin in his address said that while he was the third speaker on the agenda he is also the oldest speaker for the 2012 Bastille Day Celebration. He said while the other speakers said it before him it is important that certain things be repeated so that it is properly understood especially since it concerns the youths.
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