TODAY I join with my family, friends and the thousands of Guyanese around the world in expressing our condolences to the Jagan family for the loss of our beloved Janet Jagan. To our President Jagdeo and the PPP/ Civic party we express our sorrow and encourage you all to continue the struggle of these two stalwarts of our nation – the late Cheddi and Janet Jagan.

Today is a bleak day in the history of Guyana’s political struggle. Janet Jagan, a star that was born in the foothills of Chicago, USA demonstrated to the world a great many things on faith and struggle. Incidentally, an adopted son, also from Chicago has followed her footsteps to the White House.

A Jewish white woman who defied her ethnicity and religious upbringing sought to wholeheartedly love and marry our National Hero, the late Cheddi Jagan. She supported and defended the struggle of Guyana and its people to the very end of her life.

She displayed character and resiliency ,even in prison under the British Government to defend Human Rights and Justice for the Guyanese people.

She thought women around the world about motherhood under difficult times. She demonstrated love of country and its people and has a passion to defend and join in its struggles and share in its triumph.

Mrs. Jagan was the first American woman to govern a foreign country- Guyana was her home and she stood tall and proud to represent it. Everyone who met her will acknowledge this fact.

Her insight for the future, after she fell ill, was so defined when she hand picked Bharat Jagdeo to continue our struggle .She knew we will be in safe hands. The evidence is with the progress that our dear land of Guyana is making.

We know some of her many achievements but I will like to remind us all that we never appreciate someone until they are gone from us. Her Excellency will be no exception but I want to tell you that this woman have defied the general rule “to fight fire with fire.”

Her family had the Ghandi’s approach to politics and life in general. She was a prolific writer and many children’s books , political books and the Mirror newspaper bears testimony to her prowess.

It is my fervent wish that women in struggling nations and especially our Guyanese women will adopt her stealth and determination to pursue ideas and beliefs that will bring success for their families and future generations. She broke all ineptness to color barriers and never looked back at her own upbringing. She redefined the Guyanese struggle to new ideals and moral conviction. She understood that faith is journey and not a destination, that journey continues for us.

We can all learn from her to be a better patriot, a better politician, a better family person but most of all we can adopt those principles that made her a fine, decent and outstanding Human Being.

Today as we say goodbye to a great daughter of our land we reflect upon God and the fact that in every life there is death. We hope that Almighty God will see all of her accomplishments in the interest of Humanity and make a peaceful abode for her.

Your Excellency we bid you good bye and we pray for peace and patience through these trying days for the rest of us.
Thanks for the memories.
SHEIK HOUSEIN
Washington DC.