Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, The Rt Hon Perry G. Christie:

On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, on behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, and on my own behalf and that of my wife and family, I extend deep sympathies to the children and other surviving relatives of Mr. Bruce Braynen, former Member of Parliament and former Vice-President of the Senate, who passed away earlier today at the remarkable age of 99.

Mr. Braynen, although soft-spoken and mild-mannered, was a courageous and dedicated soldier in the struggle for Majority Rule and in the parallel struggle for economic empowerment and self-reliance. He played an instrumental role in several important pioneering initiatives in this regard, especially during the 1950’s.

Mr. Braynen was catapulted to national political fame as a result of the historic General Election of 1972 when, as the Progressive Liberal Party candidate in the St. Agnes constituency, he unseated the then Leader of the Opposition Free National Movement, the late Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield.  Mr. Braynen would go on to serve two terms in the House of Assembly before accepting an appointment to the Senate following the 1982 General Election. He was subsequently elected Vice-President of the Senate, a post in which he served with great dignity and in a consistently calm but firm manner.  He was noted for his fairness to both sides of the political divide whenever he was deputized to chair the proceedings of the Senate.

A gentleman of courtly manners, Mr. Braynen always conducted himself in an exemplary way. He was also noted for his quiet wisdom, offering sound and sensible advice to his political colleagues, especially to freshman MPs and Senators in whom he always took a particular and helpful interest.

Another outstanding Bahamian who contributed much to his country has died.  We mourn his passing