Castries Saint. Lucia, June 8, 2010, Dr. Len Ishmael, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, on learning of his passing on 4^th June 2010, paid tribute to Honourable William Miranda Marin, Mayor of the Autonomous Municipality of Caguas (Puerto Rico).

Mayor Miranda Marin served four terms as Governor of Caguas, leaving a legacy of democracy, social development and good governance in his Municipality.   He turned Caguas into a cultural centre, building an ethno-botanical garden, fine arts centres,  museums and a multi-purpose centre for sports and recreation.  He promoted education, work ethics and self-help as the basic tools for attaining a better life and he invested heavily in information technology and the young people of his community.

Among his many achievements were the establishment of a programme aimed at reinserting drug addicts into society, a sports mentoring scheme aimed at combating crime and the opening of a bank account at the birth of every child to assist with their education or investment in a business. He took a holistic approach to social and sustainable development by addressing health, education, housing, community service, history and culture, youth and the elderly.

In the case of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, not only was he an inspiration to the Secretariat Staff, especially in the social dimension of its work, but he made a number of practical contributions, including the hosting of an OECS Ministers of Tourism Meeting in October 2006 and the opening of the OECS Trade and Investment Promotional Office in San Juan.  The Mayor visited the Secretariat in April 2007 and was exposed to his very first live international cricketing event at the National Stadium in St Lucia during that visit.

Mayor Miranda Marin was a man of real stature and conviction. He will be greatly missed, not only by the People of Caguas and Puerto Rico, but also by the Staff of the OECS Secretariat.

Media Contact:
Raymond O’Keiffe Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel. 1-758- 455-6305 or 455-OECS