NASSAU, Bahamas -- In conjunction with the 40^th Independence Celebration Committee, Bishop Neil Ellis, Sr. pastor of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist church announced that Mount Tabor will recognize and highlight 40 distinguished men “who stand out in their role as fathers and who have made stellar contributions to the ongoing development of our nation.”

This announcement was made at a press conference at the Lucayan Room of the Sheraton Hotel on Cable Beach on 1^st May 2013.

The bishop said that Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist church has determined that a tremendous effort must be made “to cause our country to refocus on the significance and relevance of manhood and the positive contribution of fathers across our nation. What better time to do it than now, when our country is celebrating its 40^th Anniversary of Independence.”

Dubbed the “Fabulous Forty,” honourees include Cleophas Adderley, Wendell Jones, Senator Greg Burrows, Hayward Cooper, Gus Cooper, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and His Grace Bishop Drexel Gomez.

This gala event, fully endorsed by the 40^th Anniversary Celebration Committee as one of its calendar of events is scheduled for the Friday preceding Father’s Day, June 14^th 2013 at the Sheraton Hotel on Cable Beach.

Fred Mitchell MP
House of Assembly, Nassau
Moves the Majority Rule Bill

I would wish to offer my condolences to Clunis Devaney’s family on his passing.

I wish also to offer my congratulations to the Rev. Warren Anderson, the 14^th pastor the Mt. Carey Union Baptist Church in Fox Hill, the oldest church in the Fox Hill Village. In doing so he succeeds the Rev. Enoch Backford who has retired after 11 years. I wish to thank him for his service. Mt. Carey Baptist Church is 170 years old this year.

This is a privilege for me. I am honoured to be able to move this Bill for an act to amend the public holidays act to create 10^th January as Majority Rule Day and a public holiday. It has been a long time coming. But now the day is finally here, and a dream come true for a man who was child of 13 in 1967 when the event happened, now able to memorialize and immortalize this day in our history. Who would have thought it possible?

Our prime minister likes to say until lions have their authors, the tale of the hunt is told by the hunter. A hymn writer said it this way: this is my story; this is my song.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- This month, Bahamians will join millions around the world to raise awareness for lupus. Nassau-based support group, Lupus 242, is leading the way with events planned to educate locals about the debilitating disease affecting many living in the country.

An estimated 5.5 million persons globally live with the chronic autoimmune disease brought on by genetics, environment and hormonal imbalances in the body. Common symptoms include debilitating pain, fatigue and unexplained flare-ups impacting random parts of the body especially internal organs. There are no real statistics on the number of persons in the Bahamas with lupus. In addition to raising awareness, Lupus 242 is working to establish a local database of lupus patients.

“May is Lupus Awareness Month and we are appealing to the general public and to corporate Bahamas to support our events and activities,” said Shanelle Brennen, Lupus 242 President and a lupus fighter for more than 20 years. “It’s amazing the amount of Bahamians who are suffering in silence. We want to provide them with much needed support through events and through our monthly meetings. Lupus is not an easy illness to live with but there is hope.”

Since Lupus 242 launched in April 2012, persons throughout the Bahamas have reached out to share their stories on how lupus has impacted their lives. In addition to the events, the group is also releasing a public service announcement entitled “But You Don’t Look Sick” and will be selling wristbands and bumper stickers to the general public.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Enjoying the cools breezes and the view of ships sailing by, members of the business community came out to Señor Frog’s for the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Mix n Mingle last Thursday.

Each month, the Chamber chooses a fun spot for managers, owners, and staff of local companies to network. This popular event offers several opportunities for the attendees.  

Firstly, they get to meet in a casual atmosphere and talk business. Repeat attendance at these events lets managers, who would not normally be able to get out to make these contacts, get to know other in the community. It is often said that people like to do business with other people that they know. So the Chamber’s events enable this.

Secondly, it gives local restaurants and other venue a chance to highlight their services in a way they may not normally be able to do.

Lisa Turnquest, the Chamber’s Second Vice President and Fund Raising Chairman, stated, “We are always pleased when entities such as Señor Frog’s opens its arms to the GB Chamber and its membership as it demonstrates a willingness to share in the whole process of developing and promoting our island. Each host is unique and it's our responsibility at the GBCC to showcase these unique features to our membership.”

ELEUTHERA, Bahamas -- Relatively unknown to many Bahamians are the many natural wonders of which our country can boast and which Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is mandated to preserve and protect. One such marvel that BNT has dedicated history-making efforts to save is the Kirtland’s Warbler. This rare and endangered songbird annually migrates from Michigan in the United States to The Bahamas, where it spends seven months out of the year.

Recently, the Trust hosted its Workshop for the Conservation of the Kirtland’s Warbler at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, Governors Harbour, Eleuthera.  The forum brought together international scientists, who lead the Kirtland’s Warbler Research Programme (KWRP). Vital to the gathering and the success of the overall conservation work was the participation of local college students who completed BNT’s Research and Training Programme headed by Eric Carey, the Trust’s Executive Director.  The training initiative is one of the major planks in the Trust’s conservation plan to raise awareness generally and prime Bahamians for leadership in the preservation and protection of The Bahamas’ natural heritage.

“The Bahamas are absolutely crucial to the survival of the Kirtland’s Warblers,” said Joe Wunderle, Research Wildlife biologist who joined the programme near its inception.  Mr Wunderle had high praise for BNT’s contributions in this regard. “Their biology and behaviour was poorly known before this project, but Bahamas National Trust helped us carry out the conservation of this endangered migratory species that is unique to the Bahamas, where it spends more than half the year, and nowhere else.”

NASSAU, Bahamas -- On Wednesday, May 1, General Charles Jacoby Jr., Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) – United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. John Lowell Armstrong, Minister of National Security, The Hon. Bernard Nottage and Commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Roderick Bowe, participated in a handover of over $941,000 USD in critical equipment to enhance the performance of the RBDF’s Interceptor Class vessels during a ceremony at the RBDF’s base in Coral Harbour.  

The enhanced equipment package will ensure that the RBDF continues to operate effective sea-patrols and be better equipped to detect, prevent and disrupt transnational criminal activities that may occur throughout the 100,000 square miles of Bahamian territorial waters.  To date, the RBDF has received four Interceptor Class vessels and equipment from the U.S. Department of Defense. Capable of speeds of over 40 knots, they have since become the backbone of the RBDF’s at-sea interdiction.  

In his remarks, General Jacoby highlighted USNORTHCOM’s strong partnership with the RBDF in the collective fight against transnational crime and the shared commitment to broader maritime security efforts.  He also emphasized that USNORTHCOM will continue to invest in the vital partnership despite the many fiscal pressures facing the U.S.

“We hope that this equipment will serve to bolster your capabilities and capacity to address the many existing and emerging challenges to regional safety, security and defence,” General Jacoby said. “Today’s event reaffirms the strength of our bonds and serves as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to promote security throughout the region.”

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- More than 200 of the region’s most prominent shipping executives will converge on Grand Bahama Island next month, for the 12th annual Caribbean Shipping Association Conference. The event is slated for May 12th– 15th at the Grand Lucayan Resort,  and is expected to attract decision makers from some of the biggest names in the industry,  from Europe, North America,  Latin America  and the Caribbean region.

This year’s event is hosted by the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) in partnership with the Freeport Harbour Company (FHC) and The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA). According to the organizing sponsors, its timing could not be better as Grand Bahama aligns itself as a leading transshipment hub, connecting the North American, South American, Far East and European trade routes.

“There is no question about it,  Grand Bahama Island plays a pivotal role in the Western Hemisphere’s  shipping and trade routes,” states Ian Fair, GBPA Chairman. “At present, we are one of very few ports in the hemisphere that is prepared for the completion of the Panama Canal’s expansion. This is something we should not only be proud of, but be proactive in taking advantage of opportunities the Canal’s expansion will create.” Fair continued.  “To that end, I believe this conference coming to Grand Bahama is very timely and the collaborative efforts of CSA, FHC and GBPA will be focused on making this event a success.”

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Foreign visitors arriving in the U.S. who are required to prove their legal-visitor status to employers, schools/universities or government agencies will soon no longer be required to fill out a paper U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Arrival/Departure Record Form -- known as the I-94 -- upon arrival to the U.S. and will be able to access their arrival/departure record information online through CBP’s new records automation system.  

CBP will phase-in the I-94 Form automation at air and sea ports of entry across the U.S. and in The Bahamas between April 30 and May 21.

This automation will streamline the entry process for travelers and facilitate improved security. Travelers will not need to do anything differently upon exiting the U.S. CBP will continue to create an I-94 record for all travelers who require one, but the paper form will be created in an electronic format and not provided to the traveler.  If a traveler requires a paper version of Form I-94, it will be available at www.cbp.gov/I94

For additional information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit CBP’s website or click HERE to download the Fact Sheet.