Remarks - Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie brings remarks at the Official Opening of the Sir Lynden Pindling Room at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre, College of The Bahamas, Monday, August 26, 2013. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie thanked Dame Marguerite Pindling and other family members of the country's first Prime Minister, the Late Sir Lynden Pindling, for donating documents and memorabilia from his life to the College of The Bahamas.

“The donation of documents and memorabilia from Sir Lynden's life will provide students and the public with a very strong appreciation of who he was, and the collection is a lasting tribute; a chronology and history of a great Bahamian man,” Prime Minister Christie said at the Official Opening of the Sir Lynden Pindling Room at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre, the College of The Bahamas, Monday, August 26, 2013.

“It adds value and interest to this library space and will help enrich Sir Lynden's public legacy. I would therefore like to thank Sir Lynden's wife, Dame Marguerite, and his children, for giving this gift to the College, which is truly a gift to the country.”

He also thanked the College for working to highlight key Bahamians. “It is important that we continue to record the stories of all the men and women who played significant roles in building and shaping our country.”

Prime Minister Christie said Sir Lynden believed that with greater education Bahamians could in time build one of the best countries in the region.

The Prime Minister added that Sir Lynden also believed in the College of The Bahamas and played a great part in its creation and was desirous of seeing it become the university.

Family The late Sir Lynden Pindling's family attend the Official Opening of the Sir Lynden Pindling Room at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre, College of The Bahamas, Monday, August 26, 2013. Seated from left: Wife of Sir Lynden, Dame Marguerite; Monique Pindling-Johnson (daughter); Obie Pindling (son); Michelle Pindling-Sands (daughter) and Leslie Pindling (son). (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

He said as the country celebrates 40 years of independence, an important part of continuing the journey and preserving the nation's legacy and history, as a strong Bahamian people is to further the education of the country's youth.

“The Sir Lynden Pindling Foundation has made a significant contribution to the College of The Bahamas to ensure there is continued support for education.”

He quoted the words of Sir Lynden's vision for the country. “I wish for The Bahamas to be wealthy and proud, brave and sovereign; a country where every Bahamian stands tall, independent and free, a country where there is opportunity for all (not just PLPs), and a secure future for each soul bold enough to grasp it.

“A land where excellence is cherished and hard work is a thing of pride. A nation disciplined and strong.”

Family - The late Sir Lynden Pindling's family attend the Official Opening of the Sir Lynden Pindling Room at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre, College of The Bahamas, Monday, August 26, 2013. Seated from left: Wife of Sir Lynden, Dame Marguerite; Monique Pindling-Johnson (daughter); Obie Pindling (son); Michelle Pindling-Sands (daughter) and Leslie Pindling (son). (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

Prime Minister Christie said, “You cannot articulate a vision more enriching, with more impact, and more futuristic in terms of the incentives and inspiration you would wish to lead your people into.”

Dame Marguerite; Dame Marguerite and Sir Lynden's children: Obie, Leslie, Michelle Sands and Monique Johnson; grandchildren and other family members and friends attended the opening with other distinguished guests including Cabinet Ministers.