Arthur Foulkes

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Sir Arthur Alexander Foulkes, GCMG (born 11 May 1928) is the Governor-General of the Bahamas.

Foulkes was elected to the House of Assembly in 1967 and served in the government of Lynden Pindling as Minister of Communications and Minister of Tourism. In 1971 he was a founder of the Free National Movement, and he was appointed to the Senate in 1972 and 1977 before returning to the House of Assembly in 1982. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2001. He was promoted to Knight Grand Cross in 2010.

Early life

Arthur Foulkes, a native of the Bahamas, was born on the island Inagua in Matthew Town on 11 May 1928. His parents were Dr William A. Foulkes and Mrs. Julie Foulkes nee Maisonneuve.

Media career

He started his working life as a newspaper linotype operator, first at The Nassau Guardian then at The Tribune. He became a reporter for the Tribune's editor Sir Etienne Dupuch, rising to become News Editor of The Tribune.

From 1962-1967, Sir Arthur was founding editor of Bahamian Times, the official paper of the Progressive Liberal Party, backing the campaign for majority rule, and later a columnist for the Guardian and the Tribune.

Political career

in 1967 he was elected to Parliament and the following year appointed to serve in the Cabinet as Minister of Communications then as Minister of Tourism. He was one of the founders of the Free National Movement in 1971, . He was appointed to the Senate in 1972 and 1977, and re-elected to the House of Assembly in 1982.

Sir Arthur was one of the four Opposition delegates to The Bahamas Independence Constitution Conference in London in 1972.

Diplomatic career

In 1992 Sir Arthur became The Bahamas High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, serving as ambassador to France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the European Union before becoming the first Bahamas Ambassador to the People's Republic of China and Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba in 1999.The progressive liberal party and the free national movement are now the 2 governing parties of the bahamas

Family and personal life

Sir Arthur married Joan Eleanor Bullard of Nassau.

References

• Former Tribune News Editor heads to Government House
• Sir Arthur Alexander Foulkes Appointed Governor-General Of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
• Governor-General appointed to Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George
• London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 56237. p. 31. 16 June 2001. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
• Governor General's Youth Awards: Our Patron
• Bahama Islands Info: Sir Arthur Foulkes is new Governor-General

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