Jan 08 - SDGG Congratulates Sir Joe

Written by YGTV Team on 08 January 2018.

The SDGG has congratulated Sir Joe Bossano on his Knighthood.

A statement from the group continued: “A lot has already been written and said about this long overdue appointment but it is only right that our group makes a public statement given that Sir Joe together with the founders of the SDGG was instrumental in creating Gibraltar’s National Day and fought to keep it alive for many years (an act which has, to a very large extent, forged the SDGG’s identity and purpose). He has often and rightfully been called the Father of our National Day.

“From the SDGG’S inception Sir Joe took a keen interest in the activities of the Group and he was pleased to join it and give a speech at the well-attended first balloon launch which took place at the Piazza on the 10th September, 1993. The good reception this event received led to the decision to declare ‪the 10th September as Gibraltar’s National Day, a celebration of our identity which Sir Joe has always defended.

“He was also very supportive of the SDGG’s initiative to take the United Kingdom’s exclusion of Gibraltar from participating in European elections, to the European Court of Human Rights where Michael Llamas, now Gibraltar’s Attorney General, ably led the case to a successful conclusion.

“Regardless of what political views one might have, when a person dedicates the better part of his life (nearly half a century) to Gibraltar and its people, it is only right that he should be thanked and recognised for his sacrifice, hard work and unquestionable committment to Gibraltar.

“There were of course others who fought alongside him who should undoubtedly also be recognised, but many of the rights and privileges we take for granted today were obtained through the efforts of Sir Joe and for this the SDGG is eternally thankful.”