December, 2005

My fellow Bahamians, I am thankful for this opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and meaningful New Year.  It is that time of year when we must all pause and give thanks for continued good health and strength.  It is a time when all our thoughts turn to the ones whom we love most dearly in our lives.

It is a time to celebrate the Birth of Christ and the eternal message of peace and goodwill to all mankind.

It has been a trying year for many in our Commonwealth who have been beset by great personal challenges that have brought grief and concern to their families.  We think of those bereaved by sudden and unexpected loss from accident or simply through the rhythm of life.

We remember particularly the victims of Hurricane Wilma.  As we continue with the process of restoration, we acknowledge with much gratitude on behalf of our nation the support of all of those who continue to give to the relief effort.  Again however, we must give thanks to Almighty God for sparing us to see this day.

Just days ago, a horrifying airplane crash robbed all on board including 11 Bahamians of their lives and left many in the community of Bimini in deep mourning.  I have met personally with representatives of each affected family to offer the collective sorrow and support of our nation in their moment of tragedy.  I have appealed for the prayers of the nation for those so sadly bereaved in Bimini and we will be traveling there for a national service of mourning.

In words from the mother of one of the Bimini victims that remain vivid in my mind:

“The Lord never gives us more than we can bear."

The people of Bimini are now pulling together as one with a strength and resilience that has served them in the face of past tragedy and will do so again.  Our thoughts are with them at this special time of year.

I am thankful for the work of all colleagues and dedicated public officers who have done their best at meeting the challenges of this nation over the past year and governing on your behalf.  The programmes we have collectively designed have met the challenges but we must never rest for there is always more work to be done.  The naysayers can always find fault but all who would be fair and objective would know that our nation and the Government have more than met the challenges.

Generally, our country is doing well in all important areas and the outlook for the future is strong and bright.  Now is not the time for grandstanding, but many thousands of you within the sound of my voice today have worked hard in concert with the efforts of the Government toward our shared goal of a stronger, ever more prosperous Bahamas.  We will, through the Grace of God, keep pulling together toward our mutual goal to build this country through our collective efforts into the finest little nation in the world.

As we reflect on the challenges and the accomplishments of the past year, we know that waiting around the corner are transforming benefits and opportunities of a New Year.

Those in the private sector are challenged to join the public sector to ensure that maximum advantage is taken of all of the benefits and opportunities coming to Bahamians in the New Year.

Remember that as we move forward with the help of Almighty God, we will meet the challenges and embrace the benefits and opportunities of the year 2006.

I offer you all a positive Christmas message; one of thanks, praise and hope and wish peace and goodwill for all right here in The Bahamas.

I also remind each of us of the personal obligation to protect ourselves and those under our care by exercising responsible behaviour in our holiday festivities so that we may pass into the New Year without further major incident grief and loss of life.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and wish all Bahamians and our guests a blessed and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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