Greatly missed: Dame Lois Browne Evans, who died last year. She remains in pole position to be the first Bermudian honoured when a National Heroes Day is created, says Premier Dr. Ewart Brown. Photo David Skinner

The Premier has confirmed Dame Lois Browne Evans will remain the first person to be honoured if an alternative public holiday is found for 'National Heroes Day'.

Government announced a U-turn over the renaming of Bermuda Day following public opposition. Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler said: "There was a lot of public outcry because Bermudians have now internalised the whole concept of Bermuda Day, and feel that more than any other holiday it is their day.

"Having heard the outcry, we listened carefully and decided 'no', we would look at another day."

He said Government would now consult with business leaders and other key stakeholders to either rename an existing holiday or create a new date.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown told The Royal Gazette that Cabinet is currently exploring the options.

He said: "I think honouring our country's heroes with a public holiday is culturally important, especially for our young people. Cabinet will come up with a new date in the near future."

Asked whether Dame Lois would remain the first person to be celebrated, Dr. Ewart Brown said: "Yes."

Government originally announced the renaming of the May 24 holiday as 'National Heroes Day' five months ago, with Dame Lois the first to be celebrated. It followed a pledge by the Premier to a PLP rally in July that Government would dedicate a public holiday to the groundbreaking politician.

Dr. Brown told the rally at West Pembroke School Field: "We don't want leaders who will not acknowledge that we need a holiday to memorialise the passing of Dame Lois, because she mattered so much to us as a leader.

"What we want is a leader who can say yes, there should be a permanent recognition of Dame Lois's life. Under the next PLP Government there will be a permanent recognition of Dame Lois's life. She deserves nothing less."

The announcement on September 18 that Dame Lois would be the first 'national hero' on May 24, 2008, led the Premier to say: "This is a great day for our country. Our country's matriarch is getting her just due.

"We collectively mourned when Dame Lois passed and now we can truly begin the process of celebrating her life."

On Thursday, March 6, The Royal Gazette reported: "The country however, could still get a public holiday dedicated to prominent historical figures if business leaders agree. Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler is to consult with key stakeholders to either rename an existing holiday or add an extra day to the calendar."

We reported that businesses would have to agree to a date for 'National Heroes Day'. They are in fact being consulted by Government who will decide a date for 'National Heroes Day'. We are happy to clarify this point.

Dame Lois died on May 29, 2007, aged 79. She was Bermuda's first female barrister, first female Attorney General and the first woman Opposition Leader in a British Commonwealth country, serving as PLP Leader from 1968-1972 and from 1976-1985.

Dame Lois's family did not wish to comment last night.

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