Address of the Hon Peter David, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, on the Occasion of the Renaming of Point Salines International Airport

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On this historic weekend, 65 years after Maurice Bishop was born, and witnessed by not just the people of Grenada, but comrades from around the world, we indeed finally have come to terms with both legacy and legend.

This is the juncture where the bold past intersects with a dynamic future.

And as Prime Minister Tillman Thomas stands witness with us here today –this is also a time and place where truth meets reconciliation; and where truth to history gives birth to recognition.

Today is not just recognition of what Maurice Bishop achieved as a leader, and the vision and guidance he provided in his short political life. It is about recognizing an enduring legacy, which says when the Grenadian people are united and focused, there are no limits to what we can achieve together.

On this sweltering Saturday afternoon here at Point Salines, we are glad to say that the Maurice Bishop International Airport has indeed become a proud reality.

This is neither an exercise to canonize Maurice or gloss over history, but to be a sacred commitment to the accuracy of history put in its proper context.

He is still what we always admired – a rebel and revolutionary who remained unbowed and unconquered.

Most heroes do not confirm to set conventions and methods, but they blaze new trails, and walk paths others dare trod through. People will always debate their approaches, but remain united in their understanding of the generation-changing effect of their contribution.

I see in the faces of the thousands mulling around this airport today a freshened-up sense of pride and achievement.

As Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, I would challenge anyone to find a prouder Grenadian than your humble servant.

Through all of this process, I personally never wavered, never doubted that we are doing the right thing. This is the fulfillment of a promise we made six years ago to the Grenadian people.

Leadership dictated that we took the lead on an issue that is both right and just, but we could have easily strayed from.

We owe this moment in time to 94-year-old Alimenta Bishop, who is truly a mother of this nation, who has had to give up her husband and her son in the cause of Grenadian betterment.

We owe this moment in time to his two children Nadia and Johnny, who were deprived of growing up with a father who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of his people and his nation.

We owe this moment in time to you the Grenadian people whose progressive tendencies remain clear and pure.

We owe this moment in time to the many people who have advocated long and hard to see this day, people such as the members of the Maurice Bishop Martyrs’ Foundation, especially Dr Terrence Marryshow, as well as other Grenadian patriots such as Vyra McQueen.

We owe this moment in time to the next generation of leaders and our children, who will grow up -- and rise up --- knowing that they can give their all for this nation which now has formally established a history of gratitude. They’ll know that the generation after them will be even bolder than this generation in paying them their deserving tribute.

Let me take this special moment to say thanks to my parents Charsley and Marcella who are here today, and who have been among the thousands of Grenadians who have dreamt about today.

As you know my mother was Cabinet Secretary to the late Prime Minister and my father his good and dear friend. In paying tribute to Maurice, we pay tribute to people like them.

Today’s ceremony not only lifts of the name of Maurice, but the many who worked hard to ensure the reality of an international airport in Grenada came through.

This project had also witnessed international solidarity at its best especially the selfless contribution of the government and people of Cuba. Mr Vice President, I am glad you and your delegation could have made it here. This is also a tribute to your people. Please extend our eternal gratitude to your nation, and especially to your great leader Fidel Castro.

Brothers and Sisters, let this defining moment become the time that lifts a nation whose soul has bled for too long.

The few detractors have asked why now. Our generation responds, why not now?

A quarter century has passed since Maurice Bishop led this nation, and since that time he has become recognized among the greatest of Grenadian and Caribbean leaders, not just because of what he did, but the legacy and inspiration has left with progressive people the world over.

Some aspects of academia in the United States and around the world still fete his name among the great black leaders of the 20th century

We are proud to say that this 133 square mile country has been the motherland to Fedon and Dessalines, Marryshow – and indeed Bishop.

When Prime Minister Maurice Bishop announced the plan to build this airport he remarked then that this was an ancient dream of the Grenadian people.

Today, comrade Prime Minister – and we know you’re out there somewhere -- our generation has fulfilled a quarter-century old promise.

Look and behold what we have done in your name.