A genius, a champion, an unrepentant regionalist, and one of the best Prime Ministers this country has ever seen.
Those were but a few of the compliments handed down to former Prime Minister Professor Owen Seymour Arthur today by members of the Upper House, as they paid tribute to him for over five hours today.
Arthur, the island’s longest serving Prime Minister passed away on July 27 at the age of 70.
During today’s sitting, Senators from both sides, as well as Independent Senators, spoke highly of Arthur, who was laid to rest at the Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens on August 14.
Arthur’s wife Julie, his daughter Sabrina and his brother Richard, were on hand to hear the sterling tributes.
Leader of Government business in the Senate, Dr Jerome Walcott described him as man who possessed an air of “absolute humility” and a philosophy that hard work brought success.
He also remembered Arthur, who served as Prime Minister from 1994 to 2008, as a man who was not only brilliant, charming and witty, but one who always looked out for the best interest of Barbadians.
“He possessed an outstanding intellect and a brilliant mind. He possessed an effervescent charm, an assertive wit, a razor sharp tongue and formidable debating skills. He possessed an immovable commitment to ensuring a better life for all Barbadians,” he said.
Opposition Senator Crystal Drakes spoke fondly of Arthur, whom she said she only met two years ago.
She said he was always willing to provide advice, especially about the state of the economy.
Drakes said Arthur also had a love for cooking and Caribbean delicacy.
“I would have had the opportunity to sit and listen to him and he gave his experience and his knowledge freely, without prejudice…from LIAT to government financing, to monetary policy, to trade policy, he discussed it all and he always had a historical, an analytical and a pragmatic analysis that all seemed to flow seamlessly,” she said.
Newly installed President of the Senate, Reginald Farley also spoke highly of the late former Member of Parliament for St Peter.
He said Arthur was the “most significant influence” on half of his life.
“He’s been my leader, mentor, friend, and certainly this doesn’t relate to Government alone but certainly long after Government,” Farley said.
He said while Arthur was a successful politician, he would also be remembered for his life outside of his work.
He said Arthur was extremely proud of his family.
“These tributes today captured a lot of that rich diversity; the human side, the professional side. I think it is very difficult to capture the essence of an entire life. A life that was not only rich in and of itself, but has forever changed Barbados,” Farley noted.
Senator Rudy Grant fondly recalled how he and Arthur would regularly meet up to “have some beverages”. He said Arthur also had a love for dominoes.
