Dr. Jagan’s Parliament speeches published in the House
SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman, last Thursday, called for the hallowed chambers of Parliament to be made alive and their history made known to the people of Guyana and elsewhere.

He was speaking on the release of seven volumes of speeches by the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in the Parliament Chamber of Public Buildings, Georgetown. The occasion was the 94th birth anniversary of the deceased President who was widely referred to as, the ‘Father of the Nation’.
Dr. Jagan holds the distinction of being the longest serving Member of Parliament (MP) and the inspiration for the publication was derived from Resolution Number 46 passed in the House on December 14, 2007. It was to recognise the profound contributions made by Dr. Jagan to development, democratisation and transformation of the country.
The Speaker said the releasing of the published speeches by Dr. Jagan in the Parliament Chamber “is most auspicious and propitious as it comes at a time when all of Guyana needs to hear the voices of our past leaders and be able to identify with their vision for national unity and for national development.”
Mr. Trotman said it is very appropriate that it is taking place on the birth anniversary of Dr. Jagan “and in this Parliament Chamber, a place which, undoubtedly, I feel that he, more than any other Member of Parliament, made the greatest mark when either he performed as Premier, as an ordinary member, as Leader of the Opposition, Minority Leader and on the occasion that he returned as Executive President of Guyana.”

DOMINATED
Continuing the Speaker said: “He, in my view, has dominated and shaped the discourse and flow of national events in his time, more than any other person.”
Trotman said: “Professor (David) Dabydeen mentioned that he has asked and I have, again, consented to do the introductory comments on the publication that is to follow, as per the Resolution Number 46 passed by this Assembly, for the speeches of then Member Mr. Forbes Burnham.”
“And I have to say, reading those speeches alongside others that I have come across of Dr. Jagan, I am amazed at the level of discourse, the level of civility that these gentlemen held towards each other or displayed towards each other and also I believe the level of debate and discussion that took place at that time – something that I think we can all learn from,” the Speaker acknowledged.
He reiterated that the National Assembly is pleased to be associated with the activity and he said: “The research staff of the Assembly and the Parliament Library staff have already been put on notice, by me, that we must bring these hallowed chambers alive and bring the history of these chambers to the people of Guyana and elsewhere.”
In this regard, Trotman said that he has made contact with the History Department of the University of Guyana (UG), with a view to hosting more such occasions.
Directing his remarks to Dr. Frank Anthony, he added: “I look forward, Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, to more occasions when we can partner to preserve our rich and diverse history and culture, so that we leave the right legacy for all the children of Guyana.”
The Speaker also took the opportunity to commend and congratulate all those who worked assiduously to produce the volumes, including Professor Dabydeen.
The books were published by the Caribbean Press and edited by Professor Dabydeen and Ms. Lynne Macedo.

QUEST
Anthony said the volumes (1947-1987) capture Dr. Jagan’s passion and his quest to help the oppressed, the exploited and the downtrodden and showed how his political actions were always directed at eliminating this scourge from our society.
Dr. Jagan entered the fourth Legislative Council of the then British Guiana on December 18, 1947 and had a very long and dedicated career as a Parliamentarian, until 1992.
“During this period, he had, consistently, displayed unquestionable loyalty to his country and his people, whom he served with undiluted, resolute and unshakeable devotion for 45 years in these chambers,” Anthony said.
He said, over those years, Dr. Jagan would have shaped the political consciousness and steered the political will of the people to fight for independence, democracy and social justice.
“As you read these volumes, you can hear the voice of a man who, against tremendous odds and tremendous difficulties, championing the cause for national unity and for pro-people policies,” the Minister said.
“These volumes, taken together, will give us a renewed insight into the life and work of Dr. Jagan,” he said.