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AIR JAMAICA
AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SIR JOHN COMPTON |
MIAMI (September
8, 2007) – Air Jamaica joined the international tribute
to the life and legacy of St. Lucia's Prime Minister Sir
John Melvin Compton who died in Castries, St. Lucia on
Friday.
A lawyer and vocal champion of the cause of the impoverished
working class, Sir John was remembered by George deMercado,
Air Jamaica's Vice President of Sales, as a regionalist and
the "Father of the nation of St. Lucia" which under his
leadership was "transformed into a modern, progressive
country of which the Caribbean should be extremely proud".
"We have lost one of the Caribbean's pioneering heroes,"
reflected deMercado from Miami this afternoon, who described
Sir John as "a true Caribbean visionary who has left an
indelible mark in Caribbean history and provided a roadmap
for the sustainable development of St. Lucia".
"Our staff at Air Jamaica send our deepest sympathy to Sir
John's family, the St. Lucian government, and St. Lucians
the world over during this difficult time," said deMercado.
Speaking from Washington DC, Lelei LeLaulu, president of
Counterpart International which works on sustainable
development with Air Jamaica and the St. Lucia
government, said "island states everywhere mourn the loss of
a revered elder and a statesman of historic proportions."
LeLaulu announced his organisation will remember Sir John
during this month's World Leadership Awards in New York
where St. Lucian Senator Allen Chastanet, Minister of
Tourism and Civil Aviation, will be recognised by the
international community.
Senator Chastanet said the passing of Sir John signifies the
end of a major era. "I am very grateful that I had so many
opportunities in my life to have worked with him and to have
benefited from his philosophy and his foresight. His
humility and absolute loyalty to the development of St.
Lucia and its people are unquestionable in my mind and the
minds of so many other people."
Dr. Basil Springer, Chairman of Counterpart Caribbean in
Barbados, said it is with deep regret that he learned of Sir
John's passing and sympathizes with his family and the
people of St. Lucia on the loss of such a stalwart leader.
"Sir John was an elderly statesman with a bundle of energy
as was manifested by his return to politics having served
his country in public office for several decades. His
successful return to lead the United Workers Party into an
election victory made international headlines and
underscored his commitment to the upliftment of the people
of St. Lucia from all walks of life," he said.
A committee under the Chairmanship of Former Prime Minister
Dr. Bryan Michael Pilgrim has been formed to plan the
funeral arrangements. In observance of the passing of the 82
year-old Sir John, the nation will observe a period of
mourning for two weeks.
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