ANGUILLA--A Special Sitting of the Anguilla House of Assembly will take place on Wednesday, May 23, as part of the programme of activities marking a period of mourning for the former Chief Minister and Revolutionary Sir Emile Rudolph Gumbs.
The session will begin at 10:30am with the arrival of the casket which will be met on the steps of the Parliament Building by Deputy Speaker Terry Harrigan and escorted into the Courthouse. Prayers by Bishop Errol Brooks will then take place followed by the presentation of the National Anthem and the National Song by the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Choir. The Choir will also render an item in tribute.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly will present a bible reading followed by a series of tributes to Sir Emile from members and former members of the House.
Following the session, the casket will then be opened for viewing first by the members of the House. This will be followed by viewing by the general public until 6:00pm.
Viewing on Thursday, May 24, will begin at 7:30am and continue until 6:00pm. Members of the general public, in particular the upper classes of the educational institutions, will have an opportunity to visit and pay tribute. Members of the general public are asked to note that no flash photography or videography will be allowed in the Courthouse chambers while the casket is open. Members of the public attending the viewing will therefore be asked to deposit their phones in the receptacle provided by the usher at the door and to follow the directions of the ushers and other officials on duty. The phones will be returned upon departure.
