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The Making of a National Hero

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Dr. the Right Excellent Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds, the only living National Hero of St. Kitts and Nevis, was the first Prime Minister of this great country. He contested nine general elections—1966, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1984, 1989, 1993, 1995 and 2000—the most in our history since adult suffrage in 1952. This book chronicles Sir Kennedy's humble upbringing in Basseterre's Rosemary Lane. At the age of nine, Sir Kennedy entered the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammar School on an entrance scholarship as one of the youngest-ever pupils. Although he never kept a diary, Dr. Simmonds uses his powerful memory for meticulous detail to walk his reader through university and medical school, and on to his early career as an anaesthesiologist. His historic foray into Caribbean politics is a must-read documentary of how this twin-island state (which was once tripartite) was guided out of colonialism without further fragmentation. Sir Kennedy's is a life well-lived. He loved the arts, literature, music, and theatre, often playing the lead in dramatic productions. He was a leader in school and in the Methodist Church Sunday School. His love of cricket, soccer, American football, baseball, tennis and basketball is passionate and pervasive, and his words ring with the enjoyment he takes in these activities. His disciplined no-nonsense approach to duty belies his easygoing "one of the boys" style in his leisure time, which is colourfully reflected in this volume. His love for family, camaraderie, a ready laugh, his genuineness as a friend and his modest appreciation for the finer things in life, are the things one remembers most clearly about Sir Kennedy. Nothing went to his head and he was never susceptible to greed or envy. Sir Kennedy talked about publishing his more important speeches, but that idea morphed into this conversational recollection of his great life, transcribed while he is yet vibrant, at peace with himself, and able to enjoy the accolades he so richly deserves. Dr. the Right Excellent Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds belongs in the pantheon of National Heroes of St. Kitts and Nevis. He played a vital role in one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of the modern Caribbean, showing poise, grace and dogged determination.

Weniger Details

Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds was not born to a wealthy family, but rather was a son of very ordinary citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, and that was fine with him. I recall him saying to me at a very early age that he did not wish to be a rich person, but rather to be comfortable and feed and raise a family. In real life, what we want or what we think we want are seldom what we achieve. This gracious gentleman always found favour to open windows and doors of opportunity, not for himself but for his Country, St. Kitts and Nevis, and its people. Surely, this must be accepted as a parallel to our country's motto: "Country Above Self." It would be instructive to recall the youthful, and the later accomplishments in part, as no one person would venture to reconstruct his life story. 1964: The demonstration against new electricity rates calculated by floor space. 1965: The formation of a new political party, the Peoples Action Movement (PAM). 1967: Forced entry into Judith Hart's office in London, England, to inform of the breakdown of democracy in St. Kitts and Nevis. 1978: Cheated from winning the bye-election for the constituency #2 seat in parliament. 1979: Court decision confirmed Dr. K. Simmonds as the elected member for constituency #2. Parliament did not meet for nine months, so he was not sworn in. 1980: General Elections in St. Kitts and Nevis. Dr. K. Simmonds, leader of PAM, sworn in as the Premier of St. Kitts and Nevis. 1983: Secured independence for St. Kitts and Nevis, and became the first Prime Minister of our Country. Fast forward and due recognition must be given to Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds the man, the Hero, the father, the politician, the specialist medical doctor, and-last but not least-the saviour and visionary of the St. Kitts and Nevis we know and enjoy today, as one of the most desirous "Tourist Destinations." I would now state that his tenure of political office was undertaken at an enormous personal sacrifice to himself and to his family. I also place on record that he was arrested by the authorities, then the Labour Government, for walking on his own land, which he bought and for which he held TITLE. I am constrained from attempting to highlight the various projects and policies that have transformed our Country from a casualty of the dominant and almighty Sugar Industry. However, for the younger and succeeding generations, it is imperative that you know that during the hurricane season, the old Treasury Building was battered by huge waves from the sea. Today, we all enjoy the ambience of Port Zante, the brainchild of one Dr. Kennedy Simmonds. The next game changer was "the road to nowhere." The critics could not conceive that a road could be built through the mountainous Timothy Hills skirting Friar's Bay and onwards to the Salt Pond. Again, the Dr. Kennedy Simmonds highway has become a busy street for tourists, visitors and residents. I conclude by saying that the title of National Hero bestowed on him is appropriate and well deserved. Long may he live. - RICHARD L. CAINES Close friend and former Minister in the Ministry of Finance.