Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Name bill on 'status of children' in Reeial George’s honour- Hon. J.A. Christopher

- George’s bill that was introduced to the HOA some years ago never passed the committee stage
Second District Representative, Honourable J. Alvin Christopher has suggested that the National Democratic Party (NDP) 'Status of Children Act, 2013' be named in honour of the late former Parliamentarian Mr Reeial George. That is if the bill is ever passed! Photo: VINO/File
Mr Reeial George was hailed as a brave man who had taken a bold step many years ago by proposing a bill that would have changed the lives of 'illegitimate children' in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/file
Mr Reeial George was hailed as a brave man who had taken a bold step many years ago by proposing a bill that would have changed the lives of 'illegitimate children' in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/file
The Status of Children Act, 2013 introduced in the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands is yet to reach the debate stage. Photo: VINO/File
The Status of Children Act, 2013 introduced in the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands is yet to reach the debate stage. Photo: VINO/File
The proposed Status of Children Act, 2013. Photo: VINO
The proposed Status of Children Act, 2013. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “He was bold enough to bring it (bill on illegitimate children in the VI) before the Legislative Council (now House of Assembly) and even though it was unsuccessful he was committed in seeing equality and justice for those who were considered illegitimate. That much a fair person he was, he was the first to ever have taken such a step,” said member for the Second District Honourable J. Alvin Christopher in reflecting on the political life of the late Mr Reeial George.

Hon. Christopher also made a call for the bill, Status of Children Act, 2013, now before the House of Assembly (HoA) to be named in honour of Mr Reeial George.

“He was a champion for the rights of all people,” Hon. Christopher stressed during an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online.

Mr George was especially remembered by Hon. Christopher for his bravery in attempting to have a bill passed in Parliament as it related to "illegitimate children" in the Virgin Islands.

“I remembered that very well because I was the one who seconded the motion of it to be introduced to the House for the first reading,” recalled Hon. Christopher.

While he couldn’t immediately remember the detailed content of the bill that was introduced to the then Legislative Council sometime between the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hon. Christopher said the primary objective is the same as the one recently introduced by the NDP Government.

“One of his most courageous move as a legislator was when he went down in the history books as the first to bring before the House a bill that is now before the House by this current government knowing the atmosphere of the country at the time dealing with illegitimate children,” added Hon. Christopher.

“It basically has a name change, now it’s called Status of Children Act, 2013 but the bottom line objective is the same as Mr George had introduced.” He said the bill disappeared into oblivion as it was never heard of again after a motion was moved to send it to a committee for review.

“After that we never saw or heard of it again. It never moved from that committee stage. But to see that today the NDP has come out with something that mirrors that very bill speaks to its significance and the vision that Mr George had and that’s why I think if it should be passed it should be named in his honour.”

According to Honourable Christopher, the similar bill introduced by the NDP is yet to be brought to the House of Assembly for debate, however, if it is not looked at during this Third Session of the Second House of Assembly it would have to start from scratch as a new bill to be introduced in the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly.

The ‘Status of Children Act, 2013’ is set out in four parts and would address the status of children, parentage, provision for property among other issues.

The status of children born in the VI to non- VIslander parents has always been one that has been treaded on lightly by legislators in the VI and still remains a very sensitive issue.

16 Responses to “Name bill on 'status of children' in Reeial George’s honour- Hon. J.A. Christopher”

  • tretretrete (23/10/2013, 08:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here comes the opportunist again although I agree with him.
    • smart (23/10/2013, 09:12) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      He no opportunist he smart, not like them ones always running dem mouth hungry for power..we see through yall poppy show. i voting Alvin always
      • @ smart (23/10/2013, 10:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Thank God for those running their mouths so that we the common man can know what is happening. Maybe if Alvin does the same we will see him in a more positive light rather than as an opportunist.
  • good (23/10/2013, 08:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alvin should know better than anyone that Reeil was a good man because he didn't join with Alvin a few year ago to fall the then sitting VIP government. So Alvin is the right one to champion this quest in his honour.
  • dead man (23/10/2013, 08:41) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    he looking free pr for his new party hehehehe hahahaha
  • notes (23/10/2013, 09:03) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    here is Alvin the Bridge-builder again with premiership aspirations . Let me make one thing clear, we who remember your tenure as minister will never vote for you.
  • Sharp eyes (23/10/2013, 09:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    shaddup, we will not vote for Frazer either u moron. get a life
  • Sun done set (23/10/2013, 09:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please gave me my flowers while aim living
  • look (23/10/2013, 09:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here comes mr smart man again.
  • 1 (23/10/2013, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    but not even the VIp was supporting this bill so where Alvin going?
  • new party (23/10/2013, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one is interested in the man...we are all scared that a snake in the grass will come back and bite if left unattended.

  • Mother earth (23/10/2013, 12:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hahaha, Alvin has more common sense than most of us!
  • Newbie (23/10/2013, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    does anyone know the name of the new party that A***n is heading?



Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.