Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, remarks for the Rt. Excellent JAGS McCartney wreath laying ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2025.

Allow me to establish the already protocol and to also acknowledge the presence of my Permanent Secretary Mr. Jane’s Astwood, Deputy Permanent Secretaries Mr. Amin
McCartney and Mr. Edgar Howell. Your collective efforts continue to strengthen our Ministry and by extension our Departments.

It is with deep reverence, immense pride, and heartfelt gratitude that I bring greetings on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, as we come together in this sacred moment to honour the life and enduring legacy of a national hero, The Right Excellent James Alexander George Smith McCartney. It is fitting to honor not only the legacy of the nation’s first Chief Minister and only National Hero but also to remember his wife Mrs. Dorothy McCartney, children and family , who continue to uphold his vision and values.

Today is more than a wreath laying ceremony and unveiling of the Moseleum, it is a call to remembrance, yes, but more importantly, it is a call to purpose.

We gather not just to look back at what JAGS McCartney accomplished, but to look forward, inspired by the unshakable principles that he lived and died for justice, equity, education, cultural pride, and national unity.

JAGS was a young man, yet a visionary far beyond his years. At a time when the Turks and Caicos Islands struggled to find its footing in a world shaped by external control, he stood firm, bold, and unrelenting in his belief that we, the people, could define our own destiny.

He believed that the young had a voice, that the poor had worth, and that the voiceless could lead. Through the Junkanoo Club, he created not only a space for political thought but cultural expression. He taught us that freedom is not given, it is earned, it is demanded, it is built. Today, more than ever, we need to be reminded of that truth.

Our country is at a crossroads. We face threats to our cultural identity, social challenges that weigh heavily on our youth, and the global shifts that test the resilience of small island states like ours.

So, what would JAGS say to us now?

He would say: “Don’t wait for the change, be the change.”

He would challenge us to build a country where every child has access to quality education, not just in classrooms, but through the values they absorb in their homes, their communities, and their jobs. He would push us to value our heritage, to preserve our identity, and to champion the strength of unity over division.

We are proud that through the Department of Culture, the JAGS McCartney Memorial Site has been restored and transformed into a space that not only commemorates his life but also educates and empowers. It is now a living classroom, rich in historical insight, vibrant with cultural expression, and deeply rooted in the ideals he fought for. I encourage every family, every school, every citizen, visit the site. Let it speak to you. Let it awaken your purpose.

Let us applaud the efforts of Evina Brooks James, the designer of the Mausoleum and Information Center. Your creativity has brought much richness to JAGS Memorial Site and to our Minister of Technology we appreciate the incorporation of Technology within the mausoleum.

This year, on June 30th, JAGS would have celebrated his 80th birthday. And just recently, on May 9th, we marked 45 years since his tragic and untimely death. But his legacy lives on, not only in history books, but in the hopes and dreams of every young person in our schools today, in the voices of artists, in the advocacy of youth leaders, and in the actions of every citizen who still believes in building a Turks and Caicos Islands that is strong, sovereign, and united.

Let us live it, through our policies, through our parenting, through our education, through our cultural expressions, and through our courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult.

To the elders: continue to share your wisdom. You are the torchbearers of memory.
To the youth: be bold, be curious, be committed. The future belongs to you.
To every citizen: stand up. Speak out. Serve.

Let us honour JAGS, not just with flowers and speeches, but with action. We will continue to build a Turks and Caicos Islands that reflects the greatness he saw in us all. How fitting is it that on a day when we honor his legacy, we also recognize his daughter Yaa McCartney as Acting Attorney General.

Before I take my seat, I must express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated team at the Department of Culture. Acting Director Trazel Prospere, along with Karina Been and Ashanti Morris—your hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed. You truly deserve a round of applause, as I’m sure your efforts today have JAGS smiling down with pride and joy.

At the Department of Culture, we remain committed to working in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to further enhance this space. Our goal is to ensure it continues to be a vibrant hub, embraced by students, the wider community, and the many guests who arrive on our shores by plane and cruise ship.

May JAGS legacy lives on in every classroom, in every festival, in every fight for justice, and in every dream that dares to shape a better tomorrow.

Thank you, and may God bless these Turks and Caicos Islands.