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Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 10, 2015 (SKNIS):  His Excellency S.W. Tapley Seaton was publicly sworn in as the Federation’s fourth Governor General at Camp Springfield today, Thursday September 10.

Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris described the Governor General as a man who has made notable achievements.

“When one examines the life of our newly installed Governor General one realises that this latest accomplishment forms part of a long record of distinguished national service and recognition that has characterised his life,” said Dr. Harris. “What is certainly not in dispute is the fact that His Excellency has had a rather illustrious career in the legal profession, beginning in 1975 with his appointment as a Crown Counsel.  His upward mobility in the civil service was punctuated by his appointments as Acting High Court Registrar and Additional Magistrate from 1975-1980; Attorney General of St. Kitts and Nevis from 1980-1995; and Queen’s Counsel from 1988.”

He further explained that His Excellency Tapley Seaton is well suited for the position.

“Based on my knowledge of our Governor General I can assure that the genuine humility of the man has not permitted him to be comfortable as I précis the high points of his career or his life of service to the people of our beloved St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Harris.  “Nevertheless, this is one such occasion when an accounting of his national service is quite fitting.  To be precise, as we ponder the state of our Country at this time when some of our misguided young people continue to engage in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, it would be wise for us to recognise and emulate persons such as our Governor General, who are paragons of statesmanship and quiet yet effective leadership.”

Minister Harris expressed his confidence in His Excellency Tapley Seaton, stating that many young people need exemplary models such as him – an individual whose life has consistently been about rendering yeoman service to the country he calls home.

Governor General Seaton thanked everyone who played a role in motivating his accomplishments, in particular his parents.

“It is perhaps significant that I caption my response and give thanks,” he said. “I thank Almighty God for bringing me to this level of national service. I thank the Honourable Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers for the confidence which they readily reposed in me from the time of my deputizing in this office, to my acting appointment to my appointment as Governor General. I also thank the Honourable Prime Minister for his kind expression of support and of detailing my career to date.

“I owe a great debt of gratitude to my parents who imbued me with the desire to render national service. Their example at all levels be it political on a regional basis in the West Indies Federation…their lives served as outstanding examples of service without fanfare or acclaim.”

A Guard of Honour comprising of troops drawn from Alpha Company (A’ Coy) the SKN Regiment was mounted at Government House as part of the official ceremony for the occasion. The St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Band and Corps of Drums also paraded.