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THE STATES assembled on Friday, 9th May 2003 at 9.30 a.m. under
the Presidency of the Bailiff ,
Sir Philip Bailhache .
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, K.B.E., C.B., was present
All members were present with the exception of –
F r ancis Herbert Amy, Connétable of Grouville – ill
M ichael John Touzel, Connétable of St. John – ill
P h ilip John Rondel, Deputy of St. John – out of the Island
G e rard Clifford Lemmens Baudains, Deputy of St. Clement – absent J e remy Laurence Dorey, Deputy of St. Helier – out of the Island
C e lia Joyce Scott Warr en, Deputy of St. Saviour – ill
J e nnifer-Anne Bridge, Deputy of St. Helier – out of the Island
J a mes Gordon Reed, Deputy of St. Ouen – out of the Island
Prayers
Welcome – distinguished visitors
The Bailiff , on behalf of all members, welcomed to the States distinguished visitors including representatives of the President of the Government of Madeira, namely Dr. Eduardo Brazao de Castro, Regional Secretary for Human Resources in Madeira and his wife Mrs. Ana Paula de Castro, and Mr. Goncalo Nuno dos Santos, Directo of the Centre of Madeiran Communities, who were in the Island to attend the Liberation celebrations, and for the five year anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Island and Madeira.
Liberation of the Island – statement
Senator Frank Harris on Walker , made a statement in the following terms –
" T h i s is the fourth time that the Assembly has been specially convened to commemorate the most significant day in the history of our Island.
T h e d ay in 1945 when the inhabitants of Jersey were at last liberated. The day, which after five long years
of deprivation, fear and occasionally despair, announced the return of freedom and with it the return once again of hope and optimism.
A f te r so long, it is all but impossible, at least for those who weren't there in person on May 9th 1945, to
fully appreciate the joy and the sense of relief that those who had endured the dark days of the Occupation must have felt. But today, we nevertheless reach back to share in and to rejoice in their joy and there new found sense of liberty and purpose.
In d o ing so, however, we should never forget that that joy was, for some, short lived as they learnt the
terrible truth that members of their family or close friends who had fought for their country or who had been deported from Jersey would not be returning. Today, therefore, is not just a day of celebration, it is also a day of remembrance.
O u r d uty today, as much as we can, is to bring Liberation Day to life and to ensure that it continues to be
commemorated as the most special day in our rich and varied history. To ensure that we never take for granted the freedom we have now enjoyed for 58 years. To ensure that future generations understand and value the importance of Liberation Day in giving them the privileged lifestyle that we are fortunate to be able to enjoy in this beautiful, safe and prosperous island.
In c o mmon with a number of other members of this Assembly, I was born during the Occupation and
although I know I was at, or near, the harbour, in my Union Jack romper suit, when the troops came ashore, I can remember nothing of it. I can well remember, however, the stories repeated over and over again by my parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents and other family members. Stories of deprivation to be sure, but also stories of courage, caring and humour. Stories, above all, of sharing. Sharing in a common bond of oppression but also the selfless sharing of food, clothing, fuel and other essentials which were all in such short supply.
N o w in a time of plenty, perhaps we should think back to those days and when we feel depressed,
disgruntled or hard done by, remember to count our blessings, to celebrate what we have, and to work to develop a new sense of shared determination, community spirit and pride in our remarkable Island.
B u t a bove all, let us never forget that unlike so many other people in the world today, and those in Jersey
who had to live through the Occupation, we enjoy many gifts and that above all we enjoy a gift that is beyond price – the gift of freedom."
THE STATES rose at 9.46 a.m.
M.N. DE LA HAYE Greffier of the States.