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THE STATES assembled on Tuesday, 9th May 2000 at 9.30 a.m. under
the Presidency of the Bailiff ,
Sir Philip Bailhache . __________________
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, General Sir Michael Wilkes, K.C.B., C.B.E., was present
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All members were present with the exception of -
Senator Patricia Ann Bailhache - out of the Island
Senator Wendy Kinnard - out of the Island
Senator Paul Vincent Francis Le Claire - out of the Island
Alastair John Layzell, Deputy of St. Brelade - out of the Island Philip John Rondel, Deputy of St. John - out of the Island
Gerard Clifford Lemmens Baudains, Deputy of St. Clement - absent Jeremy Laurence Dorey, Deputy of St. Helier - out of the Island
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Prayers __________________
Welcome to newly-elected Deputy of St. Helier
The President, on behalf of the members of the States, welcomed the newly-elected Deputy of St. Helier, Mrs. Judith Ann Martin.
Liberation of the Island - statement
Senator Jean Amy Le Maistre made a statement in the following terms -
"The Assembly has been convened on this day, the 55th Anniversary of the Liberation of this Island from the German Occupying Forces.
Our Liberation from that occupation is undoubtedly the most significant event in the recent history of the Island and certainly of the last century.
We remember those who endured the suffering and deprivation of five long years of isolation from the rest of the world; of being without so many of the medicines and varieties of food which we now all take very much for granted. Towards the end of 1944 the Island community was coming close to starvation and the arrival of the Vega, carrying Red Cross food parcels, saved many lives.
Throughout those dark years the Islanders were without the one thing, which we should value above everything else, freedom from oppression.
That freedom was restored with the arrival of the liberating forces on 9th May 1945, an event that we will shortly witness being re-enacted in Liberation Square.
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STATES MINUTES 9th May 2000
Whilst today is a day of remembrance, it is also a day of celebration. It is Jersey's special day. We all enjoy and benefit from the freedom that was given to this Island community 55 years ago. It is therefore very important that everyone living in Jersey today, irrespective of his or her origins, should feel included and able to join in the spirit of celebration.
Remembrance and celebration are the two words that we should hold in our hearts and minds throughout today, as indeed they were on the day when this Island was liberated 55 years ago."
THE STATES rose at 9.44 a.m.
G.H.C. COPPOCK Greffier of the States.
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