NASSAU, Bahamas, January 1, 2019 — Congresswoman Maxine Waters (second from right), incoming Chairperson of U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, and her husband Sidney Williams (right), a former U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas, are pictured at a New Year’s Eve Gala at the Lyford Cay Club with Dr. Rodney Smith, President of the University of The Bahamas (UB), and his wife Dr Cristina Smith.
Congresswoman Waters and Mr. Williams were house guests over the Christmas holidays of Sir Franklyn Wilson, Chairman of Sunshine Holdings Limited, and his wife, former President of The Bahamas Senate Lady Sharon Wilson, with whom they have been close friends since Mr. Williams’ tenure as U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas from 1994 to 1998. They attended the Lyford Cay Club event as guests of the Wilsons.
Sir Franklyn and Lady Wilson donated $1 million towards construction of The Franklyn R. Wilson Graduate Centre at the University of The Bahamas (UB), which was officially opened on May 17, 2018, “propelling the institution to new heights as UB continues its transition into a world-class university,” according to a report on its opening in the Nassau Guardian. The energy-efficient facility comprises a 110-seat lecture theatre, conference room, classrooms and administrative office spaces.
With the Democrats taking control of the U.S. Congress this Thursday, January 3, Congresswoman Waters will officially become Chairperson of the powerful Financial Services Committee.
