‘Julien Alfred Day Bill’ Opens Door For Future ‘Days of Excellence’

On Monday, September 16, the Lower House officially approved the “Julien Alfred Day Bill” to honor the island’s first-ever Olympic champion. September 27 will now be recognized as a national holiday, with celebrations including a free concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. When the proposal was initially introduced, some questioned whether the holiday would be a one-time event. However, the newly passed bill allows for future national achievements to be celebrated in a similar fashion, designated as a “Day of National Excellence.” Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre highlighted this in his address to the Chamber: “Cabinet may, by order published in the Gazette, in relation to any subsequent year, appoint any day to be a Day of National Excellence and declare that day a public holiday. Because we may have another athlete who wins a gold medal, we need the flexibility to declare any such day as a day of excellence,” the Prime Minister stated. This move aligns with the vision shared by the Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, regarding sports as a springboard for success across various fields. The Julien Alfred Day celebrations are expected to provide economic benefits for the island, including media coverage...