Officially taking his seat in the Upper Chambers on Friday, John Bostwick II was sworn in as the new Opposition senator.
Mr. Bostwick became the Free National Movement’s (FNM) pick to replace Zhivargo Laing after his resignation on December 31, 2012.

Shortly after Mr. Bostwick took his oath, Leader of the Senate Business Allyson Maynard-Gibson congratulated the new senator on his accomplishment and on making the event historic by becoming the new generation of Bostwicks to join politics.

“The Bostwick family is a well-known name within the political and the legal arena,” she said.

“What a wonderful world we live in where we can see the next generation taking its place in so many ways; not just in a factually context, but in a national context and in our year of planning for the next generation,” she added.
Mrs. Maynard-Gibson encouraged the new senator to follow in the footsteps of men and women that came before him, and remember that while he may be on the opposite end of the political field, they are both Bahamians.

“Look around and you would see at this table a combination of wisdom, experience, youthful exuberance, intellect, integrity and respect and combine that all in the package of patriotism. I believe, Senator Bostwick, that you will bring to the table all those qualities and so much more,” she said.

Mrs. Maynard-Gibson quoted a speech from Senate President Sharon Wilson saying, “The president urges all to remember why we are here, and it is for nation building. So while Mr. Bostwick you may sit wearing the badge of another party, at the end of the day, we are all Bahamians and we would like to see our country develop into what is acknowledged by everyone to be the best country in the world.”

Leader of the Opposition business, Desmond Bannister noted that Mr. Bostwick came from the only husband and wife pair to sit in the senate and that there are great things expected of him.

“Senator Bostwick there will be many occasions when we will be looking to you for the final last word. We know that you are going to deliver,” he said.

John Bostwick’s mother, Janet Bostwick was the first woman to ever be elected to the House of Assembly and once served as prime minister in the absence of both the prime minister and his deputy at the time.

His father, John Henry Bostwick served several terms in the senate and once served as president of the senate, to whom the current president gives credit in assisting her when she first took office.

In his remarks, Senator Bostwick thanked his parents for being an inspiration to his career and reiterated the oath he took to both the FNM and Bahamians.

“I wish to ensure you that I will not fail to blaze a trail that will light the way for the generation of born free Bahamians whom I represent; those who like me and this great nation which we are so blessed to call our home have come of age.”

“As I stand in this upper chamber filled with true national pride, I cannot help but to be filled with the same overcoming spirit that dwelled with many of those that had passed this way before me on their political pilgrimage,” he said.