Noted as a “red letter day” in Bahamian history, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson along with other justice administrators bid farewell to longtime attorney Arthur Dion Hanna Jr. yesterday at a special meeting held at the Attorney General’s Office.

Mr. Hanna, who served as former Director of the Legal Aid Clinic, was pleased to pass the torch to the organization’s current director and President of the Bahamas Bar Association Elsworth Johnson.

“I want to pay tribute, first of all, to my mother and father for giving me the strength to do the work I do and also for imbuing me with the sense of justice that is really their sense of justice,” Mr. Hanna said.

“There are a whole lot of people who fell through the cracks and still don’t have access to justice and I know Mr. Johnson will rise to the occasion as president of the bar and director of the Legal Aid Clinic. I feel so comfortable leaving now because you’ve got a safe pair of hands,” he added.

Mr. Hanna is the son of former Governor General Arthur Hanna.

Mrs. Maynard-Gibson commended Mr. Hanna for what she deemed “a stellar contribution to legal aid in The Bahamas.” She praised his father and mother, Beryl Hanna, for their impressive work in public service over the years.

“Mr. Hanna, who was called to the bar 40 years ago, came back and joined his family’s law firm. He could, have as many did back then, simply stay in private practice and make a lot of money. His passion has always been taking care of those who are less fortunate in our society. He demonstrated this aspect of public service by his commitment to legal aid,” Mrs. Maynard-Gibson said.

Mr. Johnson admired Mr. Hanna as a mentor and strong influence in his path toward becoming an administrator of justice. He and Mr. Hanna’s daughter Rawiya Rahming were among the group of well-wishers present at the meeting.

“You worked tirelessly at the Legal Aid Clinic. I know what persons would’ve done to you and how persons would’ve tried to prevent you. I like you’re passion. I like your honesty, and I wish from the bottom of my heart that more senior lawyers would exemplify some of the characteristics that you have,” Mr. Johnson said.

“He has shaped who I am as has his parents, my grandfather and grandmother. They are and have always been champions for justice. I’m honoured to be a part of a family of giants and I hope that I will somehow be able to live up to them,” Mrs. Rahming said.

Mr. Hanna’s retirement comes as he prepares to transition to the United Kingdom for personal reasons.