Forde: Make Adams a National Hero

Long-serving St Thomas MP Cynthia Forde today called for former Prime Minister Tom Adams to be named as a national hero of Barbados on the 37th anniversary of his death.

Forde, who led a wreath-laying ceremony with some members of her branch on the graves of Adams, and that of his parentsSir Grantley Adams and Lady Adams at the St Michael’s Cathedral, believes it is a fitting tribute.

“We the folk of St Thomas are recommending that none other than Tom Adams become one of the national heroes of this country, because none other has transformed the landscape.

“As I speak on the outskirts of the Central Bank – the Tom Adams Financial Complex, that is just one of the wonderful things that he has done for the advancement or the development of this country.”

Forde reflected that Adams, who also served as an MP of St Thomas had “a profound” relationshipwith his constituents, and the Barbados Labour Party.

“Therefore, this morning we want to remember him with fondness and we pray that all of those projects and programmes and principles that he stood for will continue to permeate this society as this country goes from strength to strength.”

She also praised the contribution of Sir Grantley, the founding father of the BLP andthe island’s first premier from 1953 to 1958.

Forde stressed that Barbadians must never forget the contributions of the country’s leaders whom she described as pioneers who led positive change to build development.

“When you are talking about the franchise, when you are talking about all of the legislation to do with labour, when you are talking about health and polyclinics being developed across the country when you are talking about education and the transformation, we must remember all of our leaders for the outstanding roles they would have played in helping with the development of our safe nation.” (SD)