BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 12th, 2016 (PRESS SEC) – Dr. the Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds, who turned 80 years old today, received a congratulatory visit at his home from Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris; Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Josephine Huggins, and Minister of State, Honourable Wendy Phipps.
Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds was born in Basseterre on April 12th, 1936 to Ms. Bronte Clarke and Mr. Arthur Simmonds.
In 1945, he attained a scholarship to the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammar School based on his outstanding performance in the primary school entrance exam.
Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds would go on to become a medical graduate of the University of the West Indies in 1962 then a founding member of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) party in 1965, President of PAM in 1976, Premier of St. Kitts and Nevis in 1980, and the first Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis between 1983 and 1995.
In 2004, Her Majesty the Queen appointed the former Prime Minister as a Knight Commander in the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.
In 2015, Sir Kennedy became St. Kitts and Nevis’ fifth National Hero. This honour was announced during Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris’ Independence Day Address to the nation on Saturday, September 19th.
“On this special day, the first birthday since he has received the distinct highest honour of National Hero, we thought that we should come and surprise him,” Prime Minister Harris said.
Dr. the Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds thanked the Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet for their visit, and expressed gratitude for the blessing of life. “I propose to live today while I have the opportunity; not to live it day by day, but to live it moment by moment and to savour the fact that God has given me the opportunity, the privilege, to be 80 years old today,” he said.
Sir Kennedy also savours the sport of tennis, which he plays several times a week. “I’d like nothing better than to be playing tennis on my birthday,” he said with a smile.