The Mayor gave a speech at the tree planting ceremony that took place on Saturday 15 October at Chalkwell Park.
Cllr Kevin Robinson, The Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, said:
"Thank you for joining us today, as we mark the one-year anniversary of the senseless and tragic murder of Sir David Amess. It was the darkest day for Southend-on-Sea as a whole and a day that we will never forget.
"I am acutely aware that many of you here will still be grieving and will carry that sense of sadness and grief forever. Sir David is and will always be greatly missed. Recent events nationally will no doubt have stirred up those feelings further. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends and our thanks will always be with those first responders who bravely attended the scene. As is so often the case they ran towards danger rather than away from it.
"Firstly, I just wanted to start by saying that although the family cannot be with us today, Lady Julia Amess has asked me to pass on her heartfelt thanks for everyone attending. Lady Julia and the family are comforted that we are holding this ceremony today and are grateful at the community coming together once again.
"I didn’t know Sir David as well as others, but I knew him well enough to know that he would want me to be positive and focus on our great City. Because from the darkness came light culminating in that memorable day in March when our King and Queen Consort, or Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as they were then, visited Southend-on-Sea to bestow city status to us.
"Sir David was a continuous driving force in Parliament and beyond pushing for the Borough to become a city. His unwavering commitment to achieve this was clear for all to see, and there was no greater way to honour Sir David and his family than to make Southend-on-Sea a city. Hearing the announcement from the Prime Minister was a sombre but special moment for all of us. For the Borough to achieve city status is testament to how loved and well-respected Sir David was. We have seen through the various events over the last year how city status can bring benefits to the area, and we know that must and will continue.
"Whilst we reflect on the awful and tragic events of 15 October 2021 today, we must also be thankful for the life that Sir David lived and the many lives that he touched and changed both locally and beyond. Who can forget the outpouring of emotion and the touching tributes and tales that were told in the days and weeks that followed his senseless murder.
"Quite simply, Southend-on-Sea would not be a City with the continued commitment of Sir David to make it happen. As the first Freeman of the City of Southend-on-Sea, he will always be the most important part of our history as a City and his legacy and memory will live on forever.
"Today, we plant a tree in his memory, using compost that has been made from the many flowers that were left in tribute to Sir David. This was one of his favourite spots and I hope that it provides a place where the friends and family of Sir David, or indeed anyone, can come and spend a reflective moment. One again, thank you for coming."