Speeches by Jamahl S. Simmons, JP, MP

14 Jul 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

255 words

But our community mourns, and we will miss him. And particularly to his brother Ne-ville who was a standing candidate for the Progressive Bermuda House of Assembly Labour Party for many years, we send our deepest condolences. I also would like to send condolences to the family of Mr. Kenyatta Dottin. There is probably no greater loss for a mother …

30 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

339 words

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “ We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right .” And that quote applies perfectly to the late Member, the Honourable Ottiwell Simmons. I had the good fortune to meet him very early in life. And it …

30 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

849 words

Thank you, Mr. Acting Speaker. This is a pleasant surprise, and I appreciate your allowing me to participate in the debate. First of all, I would like to extend to the public . . . We all know that Bermudians are very proud and we do not like handouts. And we certainly do not like the idea of going to …

30 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

1,360 words

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recent months, I have been talking to my wife and she sa id to me, You know, you are getting old, cantankerous and argumentative. And I said, Well, sweetie, I am getting old, argumentative and cantankerous because it comes from being protective and wanting to see what is best for my people. So, I have …

30 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

7 words

No, never was. But that’s okay. [Laughter]

30 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

399 words

Mr. Speaker, when I had the privilege of seeing the numbers for Carnival over the years, it was one of the fastest growing tourism events in terms of bringing in tourists, in terms of the diversity of tourists that we were looking to get. If you went aroun d to the Airbnbs, you saw them packed, the hotels packed, taxis …

2 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

234 words

Good morning, everyone. I would like to add my name to the list of congratulations to Permanent Secretary Mr. Randy Roch-ester, who has served the government and the country impeccably over his many years of service. I would also like to send congratulations to the Bermuda Nurses Association and particularly the President Karen [Grant -]Simmons. I declare my interest; this …

2 Jun 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

1,046 words

Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. And good afternoon to the Chamber and to the listening audience. I would like to begin by saying that I am grateful to the Minister for bringing forward these progress ive changes. And these changes have been needed for some time because for many, many, many years the policy and legislation surrounding financial assistance in …

24 Mar 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

1,430 words

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. One of the many unfortunate flaws of the Westminster system is that an Opposition is often reduced to capitalising on perceived missteps. And so it is very easy to develop a culture where (not intentionally perhaps) one hopes for failures. One hopes for missteps. One hopes for delays. And it is unfortunate because that is …

13 Mar 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

200 words

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise tonight because we have to speak for the 86 per cent. We have to speak for the 86 per cent—the ones who are not worried about buying their first house. They are worried about keeping the house that the y pay rent on, keeping the rent paid, keeping their light bills paid, survival. We …

3 Mar 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

557 words

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. And good evening colleagues and good evening, Bermuda. I rise today on the brink of an auspicious event, the Founder’s Day of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party being held this Sunday. Sixty years, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda’s first political party. The country and all of us who serve in this Chamber under the Progressive Labour …

3 Mar 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

219 words

And I think about those who toiled as slaves in our country, who dreamed of a Bermuda that would love that back. I think about our grandparents and our parents who marched and pr otested for Bermuda that would love them back. And now I think about people who are poor. I think about people who are different, whatever that …

3 Feb 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

7 words

Thank you, and good morning, Mr. Speaker.

3 Feb 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

106 words

I rise on several sad notes today. I would first like to honour and pay tribute to my Branch Chairman’s father, Mr. Clarence Smith, who passed. I would like to associate all Members of the House. This gentleman spent 50- plus years in the construction industry, a master craftsman who has moongates built throughout the Island. But on a signi …

3 Feb 2023 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

292 words

So that is a major accomplishment. He was a wonderful family man, a wonderful father. And you can see that by the fruits of all of the children that he has produced and the wonderful things that they are doing throughout the country. On a further sad note, the Sandys committee was rocked with the loss of Ms. Monica Doers. …

7 Oct 2022 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly

255 words

Thank yo u, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good evening to all. First of all, I will echo the comments of support for the legislation made by my colleagues and the Members opposite. I think , you know, that this has all been said. But I do want to commend the substantive Minister, the Minister who sits in another place, because …

1 Jul 2022 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

5 words

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

1 Jul 2022 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

934 words

Thank you. First of all, I do appreciate the tone that the debate has taken, and I have to commend the Hon-ourable Attorney General for bringing forward this legislation. I think that most of us, all of us, feel the need to see this implemented. But as you look around the world, if you look at Paris, if you look …

1 Jul 2022 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

101 words

Thank you, Mr. Speak er. You know initially when I heard about this Bill, saw this Bill, I got a little excited. I said, Maybe the OBA is starting to get it. Maybe they are starting to get it. But then, unfortunately, I read the Bill. And while they try to deny it, while the y run and hide it, …

1 Jul 2022 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

35 words

No. I left that organisation because it was racist and they had trouble dealing with the racists within them. That remains a pr oblem with your organisation based on the supporters and how they —