States Minutes 9th May 2005

THE STATES assembled on Monday, 9th May 2005 at 1.40 p.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 –

S e nator Richard Joseph Shenton – ill

G e rard Clifford Lemmens Baudains, Deputy of St. Clement – absent J e remy Laurence Dorey, Deputy of St. Helier – ill

C e lia Joyce Scott Warr en, Deputy of St. Saviour– ill.

Prayers

Liberation of the Island – statement

Senator Jean Amy Le  Maistre made a statement in the following terms –

" I was born towards the end of the War so I have no personal memories of those five difficult years but I remember many of the stories told by my parents and their generation about the challenges and the difficul they endured.

O  ur liberation from that Occupation remains the most significant event in the recent history of the Island

certainly of the past century. For those who went through that period it was clearly a cathartic experience. I therefore of great importance that we the members of this Assembly together with the entire Island commun should remember those who endured the suffering and depravation of five long years of isolation, of do without adequate medicines or medical facilities, food, clothing and above all, all social contact with the outs world. All aspects of life we now take very much for granted. Above all they were without the one thing that should value above everything else that is personal freedom. We must also remember those who served in armed forces who brought us our peace and freedom, those who suffered through evacuational deportation and particular those who lost their lives and those who lost loved ones as a result of that War.

T o day is indeed a day of remembrance, but it is also a day of celebration. It is Jersey's special day. One th

suspect many also take for granted, but which we all enjoy without necessarily thinking about the benefit t freedom has given to this Island for the past 60 years. It is very important that everyone living in Jer irrespective of their origins should recognise the genesis of this freedom. They should feel included in celebrations and in turn be proud of their contribution to our prosperity and the opportunities that freedom bri to them. It is particularly important for us to recognise the remarkable efforts of everyone in the Island during post War years. The rebuilding of the core industries of agriculture and tourism was rapid, followed by import reforms of this Assembly in 1948 and the advent of our Social Security system in 1951. This Island commun had to work extremely hard to re-establish itself, to lay the foundations for the many benefits and the prospe we now enjoy.

I n disputably the focus of that generation brought about by the catharsis I mentioned earlier, laid the foundati

for what we enjoy today and I salute them.

L  iberation and celebration are the two words that we should hold in our hearts and minds throughout to

adding to them the peace and opportunity that came from that day, 9th May 1945. We have a wonderful program

of celebrations that lasts throughout this year and for the first time our celebrations are supported by m sponsorship funds than public money. To those generous sponsors I give our heartfelt thanks. Their partners with government typifies what is good about our Island and we are truly grateful.

I invite the members of this Assembly and the entire population of the Island to join in the celebrations in t

Jersey spirit, rekindling that feeling of warmth, of friendship and of jubilation that swept through the Island years ago today."

THE STATES rose at 1.55 p.m.

M.N. DE LA HAYE Greffier of the States.