Basseterre, St. Kitts – Today, in a ceremony that took place at historically significant sites in downtown Manhattan, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis Dr. Denzil L. Douglas joined with Senator Ricky Skerritt, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourist Organization (CTO), Mr. John Herzog, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Museum of American Finance, Mr. Arthur Piccolo, Chairman of the Bowling Green Association to pay tribute to Alexander Hamilton, a founding Father of the US who was born in Nevis.
Alexander Hamilton has been called “America’s most important immigrant.” Prime Minister Douglas commented, “Today we recognize the role of Alexander Hamilton, a citizen of our twin-island Federation. “It fills me with great pride to be able to participate in the events of this day, to pay homage to one of our great citizens and to see the flag of St. Kitts & Nevis flying high above downtown Manhattan.”
Beginning with a visit to the Museum of American Finance, Prime Minister Douglas and Senator Skerritt reflected on Hamilton’s role in establishing the US Federal financial system that would serve as the cornerstone of the US economy. The delegation then made a brief stop at Federal Hall, site of the first US capitol and where Hamilton became the first US Secretary of the Treasury in 1789.
“With Caribbean Week taking place in New York City and June also being Caribbean-American Heritage month, it seemed only appropriate for us to gather in recognition of one of the most prominent historical personalities ever to hail from the Caribbean, Alexander Hamilton,” said Senator Skerritt. “This is truly a historic occasion that illustrates an inextricable link between the Caribbean and the United States.”
Next, the dignitaries moved to Trinity Church to visit Hamilton’s grave site were joined by Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the CTO. There, Senator Skerritt delivered brief remarks recognizing both Hamilton’s role and the link he provides between St. Kitts & Nevis and America. Reverend David Simon offered a brief invocation, after which Prime Minister Douglas personally laid a wreath at the side of Hamilton’s grave. Following a short walk to Bowling Green, site of the famous Wall Street Bull statue, Prime Minister Douglas gave a short speech and raised the flag of St. Kitts & Nevis, where it would then fly alongside the flag of the US for the remainder of the day.
Left to Right: Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis Dr. Denzil L. Douglas; Senator Ricky Skerritt, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourist Organization (CTO) and Minister of Tourism & International Transport for St. Kitts; Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the CTO; John Herzog, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Museum of American Finance; and Reverend David Simon of Trinity Church in Manhattan.
To conclude the commemoratory activities, participants and media guests were treated to lunch at Fraunces Tavern, former site of certain offices of the US Department of the Treasury during Hamilton’s day.
In recent months, St. Kitts was named a top destination for 2011 by both AOL Travel and British Airways. Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Accommodations range from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.
