On behalf of the Ministry of Education Culture Youth & Sport, The Honorable Melissa
Gumbs extends her deepest condolences to the community of St. Martin, friends, and family of the
late Cultural Icon Louis “Pork Chop” Lambert Richardson.
“Pork Chop” received his Sage Cultural Award at the award ceremony of December 13, 2024, for his
incalculable lifetime dedication and commitment to the development, safeguarding, and promotion of
our St. Martin culture, our heritage, and our legacy.
The Sage Cultural Award is the Government of St. Maarten signature award for the highest in culture
and artistic achievement as approved by the Government of St. Maarten through the Minister of
Education, Culture, Youth & Sport.
“When I speak about how culture belongs to us all,” Minister Gumbs states, “and how we all have a
responsibility to feed it, nourish it, and keep it alive, you can use Pork Chop as an example. No matter
the circumstance or the occasion, he was an instantly recognizable and vibrant contributor to our
cultural scene. I join generations of mourners as we remember his life, his energy and his creativity and
wish his family and friends much strength.”
