James Alexander George Smith McCartney
Encyclopedia
James Alexander George Smith McCartney (30 June 1945–9 May 1980) also known as J. A. G. S. McCartney or "Jags" McCartney was a politician from the Turks and Caicos Islands
. He was the island territory's first Chief Minister and held that position from August 1976 until 9 May 1980, when he died in a plane crash over New Jersey
.
McCartney was born in Grand Turk
to an accomplished Jamaican barrister, Harvey O. B. Fernandez McCartney and a Sunday school pianist, Sally McCartney, née Taylor of the Turks and Caicos. He was named after a prominent Jamaican barrister and distinguished legislator, James Alexander George Smith (1877–1942).
J.A.G.S. McCartney was the leader and founder of the People's Democratic Movement (PDM)
, a grassroots organization established to address the many social and economic ills that had been pervasive throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. A central goal of his was the attainment of self-determination for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. McCartney had particularly sought to mobilize the youth in the political process. A charismatic, dynamic and visionary figure, McCartney was determined to usher in a new Constitution that would foster and safeguard the rights of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, create new opportunities for citizens and advance the Country. Assuming office at age 31, McCartney remains one of the world's youngest democratically elected leaders in history.
National Heroes Day, a holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May, commemorates the life of McCartney. Additionally, the Grand Turk International Airport
is named in honour of him.
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the Caribbean, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.The Turks and...
. He was the island territory's first Chief Minister and held that position from August 1976 until 9 May 1980, when he died in a plane crash over New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
McCartney was born in Grand Turk
Grand Turk
Grand Turk may refer to:* Grand Turk * Grand Turk Island* Cem, a Turkish prince made famous by his extended captivity in the West* an informal western name for the Great Sultan of the Turkish Ottoman dynasty...
to an accomplished Jamaican barrister, Harvey O. B. Fernandez McCartney and a Sunday school pianist, Sally McCartney, née Taylor of the Turks and Caicos. He was named after a prominent Jamaican barrister and distinguished legislator, James Alexander George Smith (1877–1942).
J.A.G.S. McCartney was the leader and founder of the People's Democratic Movement (PDM)
People's Democratic Movement (Turks and Caicos Islands)
The People's Democratic Movement is a political party in the Turks and Caicos Islands founded by James Alexander George Smith McCartney. The current leader is the Hon. Douglas Parnell....
, a grassroots organization established to address the many social and economic ills that had been pervasive throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. A central goal of his was the attainment of self-determination for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. McCartney had particularly sought to mobilize the youth in the political process. A charismatic, dynamic and visionary figure, McCartney was determined to usher in a new Constitution that would foster and safeguard the rights of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, create new opportunities for citizens and advance the Country. Assuming office at age 31, McCartney remains one of the world's youngest democratically elected leaders in history.
National Heroes Day, a holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May, commemorates the life of McCartney. Additionally, the Grand Turk International Airport
JAGS McCartney International Airport
JAGS McCartney International Airport , also known as Grand Turk International Airport, is an airport located one mile south of Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The airport named for James Alexander George Smith...
is named in honour of him.