Thirty years after the death of Dr Eric Eustace Williams, chairman of the Dr Eric Williams Memorial Committee, Reginald Vidale, is calling on the Government to dedicate the first Saturday in April to the remembrance of the nation's first Prime Minister.Vidale said the day should be called the Dr Eric Williams Remembrance Day and while it "may not necessarily be a holiday," the observance should be put on the national calendar of events.Stating that Williams was one of the most significant leaders in the history of modern T&T, Vidale said many citizens remained unaware of his legacy and the major role he played in shaping the nation's political and social landscapes.
"In India, all the children know about Mahatma Gandhi," he said."In our country, young people don't even know about Dr Eric Williams...We need to do something about this lack of education."It may be in the history books, but do they really know? I would love for a portrait of Dr Eric Williams to hang in every school." Vidale was speaking during a portrait ceremony at the Rotunda, Red House, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, to mark the 30th anniversary of Dr Williams' death and the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Speaker of the House Wade Mark, who described Dr Williams as an "intellectual giant," said the Government soon hoped to collaborate with the Opposition to establish a National Heroes Policy to celebrate the life of Dr Williams, as well as other national heroes.He added: "Hopefully, as T&T celebrates its 50th anniversary of our independence, that policy can take shape and be effected in a meaningful way."Stating that the Government also intended to create a National Memorial Park, Mark said the country owed a debt of gratitude to Dr Williams, who, "despite his shortcomings," left his mark on T&T.
Member of Parliament for Laventille West, NiLeung Hypolite, said the People's National Movement (PNM) would launch a number of activities in remembrance of its founder, including an inter-faith service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port-of-Spain on Thursday.Also at the ceremony were some of Dr Williams' family members, including his nieces Patricia, Margaret, Kathleen and Eunice Gittens.Earlier, at an interfaith service at Balisier House on Tranquility Street, Port-of-Spain, the PNM's newly-elected general secretary, Ashton Ford, said Dr Williams was a "misunderstood" man whose statements were always taken out of context for "political reasons."
"Even in death, people are trying to downplay his greatness...But he was, and always will be, a great leader of T&T and a great leader of the Caribbean," Ford said.A remembrance book will be made available to the public from today until Friday, from 8 am-4 pm, at the Red House, Port-of-Spain.
ABOUT ERIC WILLIAMS
Born on September 25, 1911, Eric Williams was educated at Queen's Royal College and won an Island Scholarship and attended Oxford University.In 1939, Williams migrated to the United States to teach at Howard University.In 1948, he left Howard to head the Research Branch of the Caribbean Commission. He later (1955) resigned from the Commission in protest against its colonialist policies.
Williams returned to T&T and became more involved in politics. In September 1956, the PNM won the national election and he became the chief minister of the country from 1956 to 1959, premier from 1959 to 1962, and prime minister from 1962 to 1981.During his term as prime minister, Williams led T&T into the Federation of the West Indies and to independence within the Commonwealth in 1962. He died in office on March 29, 1981.