OUTSPOKEN Government MP Dale Butler believes in speaking his mind - whether or not he's toeing the line of his Progressive Labour Party colleagues.

This week his moves to try to address the issues facing our youth thrust him once more into the limelight.

Mr. Butler's writing group Writer's Machine is organising a think-tank event at Warwick Workman's Club that is aimed coming up with ideas to improve the lot of the island's young people.

Helping young Bermudians to grow up to be good citizens has been a consistent theme in Mr. Butler's life, as a long-time educator and former school principal.

Thursday evening's event will include involvement from all political parties and anyone who is interested is welcome to come along to the free event, which starts at 6.30 p.m. (more on news pages).

The MP for Warwick East has been a school principal and is an historian, orator and one of Bermuda's most respected writers.

Mr. Butler is a prolific writer. He wrote at the rate of more than one book per year for two decades up until he completed his 24th book in 1998. He was asked in 1996 what inspired him. "I get inspired by the people who surround me," said Mr. Butler. "I think if you take the initiative, you can make things happen."

Mr. Butler also gave credit to his wife, Dr. June Hill. "She always tells me you should see things in terms not of obstacles, but of opportunities, of what you can make of a situation."

Mr. Butler has a passion for Bermudian history and uses his writing skills to help to keep it alive. "My frustration is that, in Bermuda, when people die, within a week they and the contribution they made is forgotten," he said. "I've been there 30 years, saying: 'We do have a heritage and I will demonstrate it'."

MANY of his books have been about Bermuda history, including Marathon: The May 24th Bermuda Marathon Derby Classic, which told the tale of the men and women who have competed in the famous race since 1909.

Mr. Butler's publishing organisation Writer's Machine also published Bermuda's Forgotten Heroes.

So much did Mr. Butler want his chance to join the political fray that he gave up his head teacher job to take his place in Parliament. He now works for the Little Venice Group of companies as director of training.

In 2001 Mr. Butler caused a storm of controversy, while speaking in Parliament on his Government's White Paper on Long-Term Residents, when he called European women "plain" when they arrived in Bermuda and failing to bathe or use deodorant as often as locals.

He added that after a year on the island the women were transformed and wore bright colours and make-up. He apologised unequivocally after he suffered a barrage of criticism.

Over the last three decades, Mr. Butler has been a constant voice for the promotion of a more Bermudian curriculum in the island's schools.

He was educated at Central School, the Berkeley Institute, and the Bermuda College. He earned a Master's in Education from Miami University, and a Master's in Science from Indiana University.

He has successfully undertaken several courses at Vermont University, Marva Collins-West Side in Chicago, as well as Harvard University. Mr. Butler is also a Justice of the Peace, and a member of St. Paul AME Church. He is a member of the Leopards Club, PHC Club, and the National Trust Historic Building Committee.

Mr. Butler and Dr. Hill have two sons, Jay and Russell.