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by pltm
(PLTM) - As the House of Assembly (HoA) sits today, October 17, members are reflecting on the life and contributions of Deputy Speaker and Fifth District Representative, Delores Christopher, who passed away yesterday, October 16.
Acting Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering last evening described Hon. Christopher as “a true BVI Patriot.”
“She was a true definition of a person who exuded national pride, the true essence of an indigenous Virgin Islander,” he stated.
According to Dr. Pickering, “One of the things we would always remember about Honourable Christopher was that she swelled with so much pride in being a BVIslander. She was a woman of many passionate words of these Virgin Islands. She was very politically-minded and advocated for the development of the people of this Territory.”
He reminded of her passionate dedication to cultural development and the preservation of history in the territory, reflecting on her many contributions.
Dr. Pickering reflected on her founding role in the establishment of the Christmas on Main Street annual event.
“She believed that it is important for us to all know and cherish our legacy. She was also very instrumental in the development and success of the Festival of Arts event held in 2013,” he stated.
He added, “The Honourable Christopher strongly believed that the many vibrant pieces from the annual Emancipation Celebration could be preserved as an added attraction to our tourism product. In fact, she advocated for the construction of a national museum to house artifacts depicting our local history.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Communications and Works, Hon. Mark Vanterpool lamented the untimely passing, saying, “The Territory has lost a great daughter of the soil who undoubtedly had the interests of her beloved country at heart.“
He pointed to her efforts to develop the culture and trade infrastructure and economic environment of the islands.
“In later years as a Member of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, she sought tirelessly to improve the 5th District, which she represented and she was not shy about making her voice heard on other matters affecting the entire Territory,” he shared.
Hon. Christopher, of Mount Healthy Estate, became a Public Officer in 1988, serving as an Administrative Officer in the Office of the Chief Minister. She later served as a Senior Administrative Officer in the Trade and Investment Promotions Department, attached to the Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotions Service, in Washington, DC.
Then, in 2003, she was elected as the Representative for District Five and served as a Government Backbencher under the National Democratic Party.
In 2011, she was appointed Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly.
In recent years, despite being on the Government side of the House, she publicly criticised their actions. She was very vocal against the spending habit of the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, led by her leader, Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith.
She lambasted the Government for having their priorities mixed up, especially by pursuing a multimillion-dollar airport expansion project, when roads and other basic necessities were not being addressed, and even objected to the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Act, 2018.
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