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Honouring a patriot who is “top of the world’’

drAlexis

By Arley Gill

There are several outstanding Grenadians, from all walks of life, who have contributed immeasurably to the development of Grenada in one way or the other throughout the years. Often times, these persons’ contributions largely go unnoticed; or if any notice is paid at all, frequently it is when they are no longer with us. I am certain that most of us can identify someone who fits that description.

The onus, therefore, is on each one of us to ensure that it does not happen to someone whose contribution we are aware of. It is with this in mind that I’m inspired to identify Queen’s Counsel Dr Francs Alexis as a truly remarkable and iconic Grenadian son.

Dr Alexis is well known in Grenada as an Attorney-at-Law and former Attorney General. As a legal scholar, he is a former senior lecturer in law in the Faculty of Law at the Cave Hill Campus, University of the West Indies, where for several years he helped in molding and shaping the minds of law students from all over the Caribbean.

After his tenure as a law lecturer, future generations of students across the region – and indeed the world – turned to his seminal work, “Changing Caribbean Constitutions’’, as the leading text in Constitutional law in the Commonwealth Caribbean. This text, which was published in 1983, continues to be the main handbook for constitutional law students in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Dr Alexis is easily one of the most prolific Grenadian writers of any generation. He has published several texts, including “Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’’; “The Constitution and You: Grenada’’; and “H. Aubrey Frazer: Eminent Caribbean Jurist’’. He co-edited the book, “Commonwealth Caribbean Legal Essays’’, and he has published numerous articles on the law in various law journals in the Caribbean, USA, Europe and Asia.

The contribution of Dr Alexis to the development of law and jurisprudence in the Caribbean is monumental. What is amazing about this Grenadian’s contribution to the Caribbean body of literature on law is that he has continued to contribute, long after his days as a lecturer. He has always, essentially, remained a teacher of the law.

Dr Alexis served with distinction in our local parliament; indeed, in the Government of Grenada. I proffer that his highlight as a politician, and as a member of Government, is his service as Attorney General from March 1990 to June 1995. He did serve as AG from February to April 1997, but I maintain that the former period was far more significant.

One may recall the “Child is a Child’’ campaign with bumper stickers, not least on the Attorney General’s car as well. The Status of Children’s Act 1991 was a revolutionary bill in its time; it gave legal rights to children born out of wedlock. This legal recognition given to children who was born out of wedlock went a long way to ensure that they received the same benefits as children born in wedlock.

The Grenadian and Caribbean reality is that most children – even today – are born out of wedlock. History will show that these children were denied many privileges and benefits because the law did not protect them.

Dr Alexis not only piloted that bill but also drafted same. In his time he would have drafted several bits of legislation and he was the Law Revision Commissioner for the continuous Revised Edition of the laws of Grenada, Vol. 1, 1994. Dr Alexis was not just another Attorney General. He was an outstanding Attorney General.

Dr Alexis may not have been the most successful politician. It is conceded that the ultimate political prize of prime minister has eluded him, thus far. However, as a parliamentarian from 1984 to 1999; and as a cabinet minister from December 1984 to April 1997 and from March 1990 to June 1995; he brought a high degree of competence, strong work ethic and excellence to the political life of the country.

As a politician – wrong or right – it is fair to say that he held on to his beliefs and pursued steadfastly his political agenda, whether or not he succeeded. He was never one to fear defeat or crumble in the face of challenge. He always remained on the “top of the world’’.

In life one’s achievement is not always marked by the position that is held, but by the contribution that is made. And, I dare say that Dr Alexis has made a sterling contribution to the political life of his country.

As Queen’s Counsel he continues to uphold the greatest legal traditions. His latest work, as Chair of the Grenada Constitution Reform Committee, demonstrates his selflessness, love and dedication to his country. A no vote for constitution reform, while it will hurt the heart of this Grenadian giant, it will in no way blunt his contribution to the development of Grenada. Just like he did with his work in St Vincent and the Grenadines, he has given his best to constitution reform process in his homeland Grenada.

What makes Dr Alexis such an outstanding Grenadian is that, through all of his work and the years that I have known him, he has remained true to himself; ever humble, respectful and gracious.

As he celebrates his 67th birthday on the 3rd of October, all Grenadians should appreciate the colossal contribution of a truly great Grenadian patriot – Dr Francis Alexis, QC.

I reckon that there are many persons in the Commonwealth Caribbean who have been knighted by Her Majesty; and those persons would have contributed far less than this iconic and colossal Grenadian. To me, Dr Alexis is a leading Grenadian candidate for such an accolade.

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