Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) called Willard Wheatley a visionary leader of integrity. Photo: VINO

The late former Chief Minister Willard Wheatley. Photo: Provided

A section of the audience at the ceremony. Photo: VINO

He was giving a tribute yesterday July 19, 2015 at the ceremony to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the man who has been credited for removing the territory out of the grips of Grant in Aid during his time in office.

He called Wheatley a man of service whose dedication to the community and territory is unquestionable. “[It was a life that was well chronicled through his commitment to the educational advancement of our people, being a faithful civil servant and a trail blazing politician and legislator.”

Hon Penn said that Hon Wheatley’s commitment and contribution to education shaped the face of modern education in the Virgin Islands. “He shaped and nurtured some of the brightest minds in the community and our territory at this very institution that bears his name…the Willard Wheatley Primary School.”

He said that many of the persons continued in the footsteps in the field of education and it was said many times during the ceremony that some 10 of Wheatley’s students went on to become principals of schools across the territory.

According to Hon Penn, the late former Chief Minister was always a trend setter and a consummate statesman in the territory. “He was always thinking of the wellbeing of the territory above his own personal ambitions. This is a difficult quality to find among our modern day leaders,” he said.

An indelible mark

It was noted by Hon Penn that Wheatley’s political legacy is one that has left an indelible mark on the political landscape of the VI and that his accomplishments and contributions to political processes are many.

“From being the first Minister of Finance to the reconstituting of the current political boundaries and becoming the first District Eighth Representative,” he said.

But by far one of Hon Wheatley’s greatest accomplishments is the stewardship of the country’s finances.

“It was under Hon Wheatley’s leadership that we were able to pay off our debts and build our reserves. It was also under his leadership that the pride and dignity of our territory were restored when we were taken off of the UK system of Grant in Aid,” he said.

Hon Penn noted that this achievement changed the trajectory for the territory and paved the way for unprecedented economic development and prosperity for the VI people.