ORVILLE A. TURNQUEST NATIONAL SECURITY BUILDING || NAMING CEREMONY || FEBRUARY 22, 2021.

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On this special occasion, we recognize a Bahamian nation builder in the naming of this building in honour of Sir Orville A. Turnquest, G.C.M.G., O.N., a fitting tribute to a gentleman who has contributed significantly to the development of our country.

Sir Orville is one of our nation’s pioneers and a respected statesman who played an important role in a newly independent Bahamas and in our political development.

Sir Orville is well known for his distinguished service in many sectors and areas of our society, notably the legal profession, in politics, in government, his church - the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas, and in the community at large. Undoubtedly, throughout his lifetime of service, he impacted the lives of many Bahamians.

In 1995, Sir Orville became our nation’s fifth Governor-General, an office in which he served with distinction, and was also conferred a Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St George (G.C.M.G.). He was bestowed with our nation’s highest honour, the Order of National Hero (O.N.), in 2018. During Sir Orville’s many notable years of service, he also served in the Cabinet of The Bahamas as a Minister of Justice and Foreign Affairs, and as Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney-General.

Today, many of us stand on the shoulders of our nation builders who dreamt of a better Bahamas and who put their shoulders to the proverbial wheel to make that Bahamas a reality. We are a better country because of the dedication of Sir Orville to the national good in laying the foundation for sovereign Bahamas and our national development.

We must continue to pay tribute to our nation’s builders and honor them for their outstanding accomplishments, as they represent our national aspirations and values as a people. It is therefore my hope that as our brave men and women of our armed forces walk these halls, they will be inspired by the patriotism and service of Sir Orville.

On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I pay tribute to this outstanding Bahamian as we celebrate this occasion of the naming of the National Security headquarters as the “Orville A. Turnquest Building”.

The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, M.P. The Prime Minister

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It is my great honor to extend congratulations on behalf of the Ministry of National Security to Sir Orville A. Turnquest and his family on the naming of this iconic landmark. The Orville A. Turnquest Building is the new home of the Ministry of National Security and comprises the executive branches of both the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. The name Sir Orville A. Turnquest is without doubt one of esteem, prestige and legend, but for the hard working men and women of our combined forces that name will represent the very things that have defined his career; courage, determination and strength. May this great name stand as a reminder to all of you in uniform that diligence, consistency, hard work and honesty can, and will lead to greatness.

The Orville A. Turnquest Building is four storeys, comprising 70,000 sq feet of much needed premises for the guardians of our nation. The building is arranged into central, west and east wings with east and west wings accommodating the two military branches. The central wing serves as the meeting ground, with a large joint conference center on the second floor where representatives of all branches host joint initiatives. On the technological front, the building also includes cutting edge systems in a walk out service basement. The Ministry of National Security is indeed evolving and moving in the right direction, putting ourselves shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

These are truly challenging times. We must meet any and all challenges that we face and utilize every tool possible, if we are to protect and ensure our nation’s future. The scope of this building will allow us to branch into new areas of law enforcement and continue our directives in developing, recruiting, and strengthening our joint forces.

The Orville A. Turnquest Building will stand as a testament to our willingness to work together, to move forward with new innovative technologies, and ensure unparalleled efficiency and response in an ever changing world.

The Hon. Marvin Dames Minister of National Security

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It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Sir Orville A. Turnquest on the occasion of the Naming of the National Security headquarters as the Orville A. Turnquest Building. His accomplishments and dedication to nation building through the religious sector, legal profession and over three decades of political service is honourable. A true pioneer, we would be remiss if we did not recognize Sir Orville’s contributions as the Deputy Prime Minister and the 5th Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas serving from 1995-2001.

It is fitting that this prestigious honour is bestowed upon him, an individual who has given his life to the betterment of his country. The Orville A. Turnquest Building is a structure of national importance serving as the office for the Minister of National Security and the headquarters of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

As Minister for the Public Service and National Insurance with responsibility for accommodations for government agencies, I am pleased that this building has been constructed with the latest in technology that incorporates geothermal energy efficiency and is equipped with a modern communication system that connects our multiple National Security agencies (Police Force, Defence Force, and Prison Department).

This occasion would not be possible without the important mandate the National Insurance Board continues to execute in this area - to advance the prudent investments of the National Insurance Fund for the overall growth and development of The Bahamas. NIB began this secondary mission some thirty four (34) years ago and continues to make social investments in our community while capitalizing on investment opportunities to strengthen the Fund.

Today is a great day in our country as we all witness the progress in the delivery of modern facilities that adequately support advances in our security services, while simultaneously reinvesting in the stability of our social security fund for the benefit of generations to come. We memorialize this progress by recognizing an icon whose impact has touched both public and private sectors. For this we offer congratulations to Sir Orville A. Turnquest and his family on such a grand honour.

The Hon. Brensil D. Rolle, M.P. Minister for the Public Service and National Insurance

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Orville Alton Turnquest has had many honours bestowed on him throughout his life, a testimony to his upbringing and his commitment to excellence and service.

Born on July 19, 1929, the second son of Robert and Gwendolyn Turnquest, he spent his early life in Grant’s Town, the suburb of the City of Nassau, known as “Over the Hill”.

Sir Orville married the late Edith Louise Turnquest, nee Thompson, in 1955. His family has always been the highlight of his life, and he considers his role as family patriarch as his greatest accomplishment and joy. His legacy includes his three children and their spouses, Caryl (Toni) Lashley and her late husband Charles, Michele and Edward Fields and Orville (Tommy) and Shawn Turnquest, his grandchildren, the late Lia Lashley, Orville (Carey) and Kendira Turnquest, Brett and Jody Lashley, Robert Turnquest and Kimberleigh Peterson, Ryan Lashley, Erin and Andre Hill and Candace Fields, his great-grandchildren Orville (Ben) Turnquest and Adam Hill and his honorary daughter and grandchildren, Ilsa Grant, Lester Taylor and Kelly Taylor. A particular delight of his, is that he can boast of having four generations named “Orville”.

As a child, Sir Orville attended Mrs. Maude Wright’s Kindergarten and Primary School on Delancy Street in Nassau, and later attended Western Senior School before entering Government High School in 1942. He

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excelled academically, won numerous prizes and accolades throughout his school years and was appointed Head Boy in his senior year at Government High School. He left school having obtained the Cambridge Junior Certificate, Cambridge School Certificate and the London Matriculation Certificate. In 1947, he commenced service as an Articled Clerk in the Chambers of the late Hon. A.F. Adderley, and he was called to The Bahamas Bar in June 1953.

Sir Orville practised for a few years at the local Bar and then travelled to the United Kingdom in 1957, where he obtained his LL.B. from London University and was called to the English Bar in 1960 as a member of Lincoln’s Inn. He was elected as an Honorary Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn in 2001.

Sir Orville enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a practising lawyer in The Bahamas, during which he earned a reputation as one of the country’s leading litigants and public speakers. During his career, he served as a law tutor and member of the Bahamas Bar examination board, a part-time lecturer in law at the Bahamas ExtraMural Department of the University of the West Indies, a Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate and Coroner, President of the Bahamas Bar Association and Chairman of the Bar Council and as a member of the Law Revision Committee. He mentored numerous young lawyers whom he accepted for Pupillage and willingly shared his knowledge and experience; many of the beneficiaries of his tutelage are luminaries in the legal field today. Sir Orville was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1993.

Sir Orville was on the political front line in The Bahamas for the greater part of his early adult life, serving in both houses of Parliament. He served as Secretary-General of the Progressive Liberal Party from 1960 to 1962 and was elected as that party’s standard bearer in Parliament for the South-Central Constituency from 1962 to 1967. A founding member of the Free National Movement, he was appointed as a Senator from 1972 to 1979 and elected to represent the Montagu constituency in the House of Assembly from 1982 to 1994. He also served as a delegate to the Constitutional Conferences in London in 1963 and 1972 leading up to Bahamian Self-Government and Independence. Sir Orville served as Chairman, Treasurer and later as Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement. In Government he served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas from 1992 to 1994.

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He resigned from active politics in November 1994.

Sir Orville had the supreme honour of being sworn in as the fifth Governor-General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas on January 3, 1995. By appointment of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, he was conferred with the accolade of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (G.C.M.G.) on February 22, 1995.

During his tenure as Governor-General, Sir Orville welcomed scores of visitors and envoys at Government House, and in turn, travelled throughout New Providence, the Family Islands, and abroad on constant missions of goodwill and the espousal of Bahamian progress.

Great prominence on his busy agenda was given to children and young people of all ages. As GovernorGeneral, he not only welcomed and entertained school delegations at Government House, but also embarked on a programme of touring all schools around the country; he met and talked with students of every age and background in his desire to motivate and inspire our future leaders of The Bahamas.

Sir Orville substantially fulfilled his original mission to visit every school in The Bahamas, as he endeavoured to have the Office of the Governor-General positively impact all areas of the Bahamian society.

He was a member and patron of many national, charitable and civic organizations including the Gym Tennis Club, the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association (of which he was a founding member), One Bahamas Foundation, the Governor-General Youth Award, the Bahamas Scout Association, the Bahamas Boys’ Brigade, the Salvation Army and the Lyford Cay Foundation.

Additionally, he has been a member, director of education and Past Exalted Ruler of Eureka Elks Lodge.

Sir Orville is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including Honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Elmira College, New York and the University of the West Indies, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Sojourner-Douglass College, Maryland, membership in the President’s Associates of Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Lifetime Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Nassau and Honorary Member of the 100 Black Men of America.

Sir Orville, a member of St. Agnes Church, served as Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas from 1962 to 2002. He also served the Diocese as a delegate at provincial synods, and as a member of the Board of Governors of St. Anne’s School and St. John’s College.

Sir Orville demitted Office as Governor-General of The Bahamas in 2001 to return to private life. During semi-retirement he served as Consultant Counsel at his former law firm, Dupuch and Turnquest, and was also in frequent demand as a public speaker. He delighted in spending time and travelling with his wife until her passing in 2010.

Sir Orville also devoted a great deal of his time to historical research and in 2016 published a book entitled “What Manner of Man is This”. This book examines the lives, the record and the actions of the Duke of Windsor and the Duchess, for whom he abdicated the throne as King of England, during their stay in The Bahamas when the Duke served as Governor.

On August 23, 2018, Sir Orville was humbled and elated to receive the Order of the Nation (ON) under the National Honours Act. He was especially proud as a Bahamian patriot, having devoted his life to service, to be so honoured.

Sir Orville feels privileged to have served his country in so many spheres and to have been so richly rewarded and recognized. Now at age 91, he enjoys spending time with his family and his daily drives around Nassau.

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MASTER OF CEREMONY Mr. Carl Smith Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction NATIONAL ANTHEM...................................................................The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band INVOCATION................................................................................. Venerable Archdeacon Keith Cartwright REFLECTIONS FROM THE FAMILY.................................................... Orville A. T. (Tommy) Turnquest Son of Sir Orville Turnquest MUSICAL SELECTION.................................................................The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band INTRODUCTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER...............................................Hon. Marvin Dames, MP Minister of National Security KEYNOTE ADDRESS........................................................ The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, O.N., M.P. Prime Minister & Minister of Finance PRAYER OF DEDICATION.......................................................... Venerable Archdeacon Keith Cartwright UNVEILING OF PLAQUE.......................................Led by The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, O.N., M.P. Prime Minister & Minister of Finance accompanied by some of the grandchildren of Sir Orville A. Turnquest; MUSICAL SELECTION.................................................................The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band

Tour of Building by the family of Sir Orville Turnquest VOTE OF THANKS

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The Ministry of the Public Service and the National Insurance Board would like to thank the following people and organizations: The Most Honourable Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, M.P. Prime Minister, Commonwealth of The Bahamas THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OUR DISTINGUISHED HONOREE AND FAMILY

The Most Honourable Sir Orville A. Turnquest, G.C.M.G., Q.C., JP. LL.B. Caryl A.E. Lashley Michele C. E. Fields Orville A. T. (Tommy) Turnquest and their families THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY

The Honourable Marvin Dames, M.P., Minister of National Security Cheryl Darville, Permanent Secretary (Acting) Lisa Adderley, Deputy Permanent Secretary Chavasse Turnquest, Chief Executive Officer (Facilities Manager) THE MINISTRY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARD

The Honourable Brensil Rolle, M.P. Minister of the Public Service and National Insurance Donella Bodie, Permanent Secretary Renée Davies, First Assistant Secretary Carla Flowers, Senior Assistant Secretary Troy Smith, Chairman, National Insurance Board Nicola Virgil-Rolle, Director, National Insurance Board THE NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARD PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM

Yvette Sands, Assistant Director, NIB Louvin Sands, Chief Technical Manager, NIB Karven Bain, Technical Manager TAS Architecture Ltd., Project Architect Chris Symonette & Associates, Mechanical Engineer JD Chisolm & Associates, Quantity Surveyors Inline Project Co. Ltd., General Contractor Venerable Archdeacon Keith Cartwright The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band Bahamas Information Services ZNS, Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas StreamCo. Media V.U.E Audio Visual APEX Awards Dumpling Chefs DigiPrint & Signs Bahamas Ltd. Fincastle Media Group

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