…Parliament staff member also honoured
THE Guyana Parliament has honoured women in its annual International Women’s Day Luncheon held at Duke Lodge in Kingston on Thursday last.Those past and present members of Parliament who were honoured with special awards for long and dedicated service were: Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, for giving 20 years of service; Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury, for giving 15 years of service; Mrs. Shirley Edwards, for giving 18 years of service; Opposition Member of Parliament Deborah Backer, for giving 14 years of service; and staff member of the Parliament Office, Ms Eleanor Coddett, for giving 30 years of service.

In presenting Mrs. Deborah Backer’s award to her daughter, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds reflected on the past, and posited that if he had a crystal ball at that time, he would have worked to bring Mrs. Backer on the ‘right side’. Mrs. Backer recently resigned from parliamentary duty for health reasons.

Leader of the Opposition and of A Partnership for National Unity, Brigadier (retd) David Granger, commended the achievements of Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury during her service to the party of her choice. He praised her commitment to her beliefs, and her choice to serve.

Presenting the award to Minister Sukhai, Alliance For Change Leader Khemraj Ramjattan reflected on her humble beginnings, and commended her achievement during her 20 years of service.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman, in presenting the award to Mrs Shirley Edwards, reflected on her past and on her strong commitment to the party of her choice whilst living in another party’s stronghold.

Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (ag), Mrs. Hermina Gilgeours, presented the award to her colleague, Mrs. Coddett, describing her as having contributed dedicated and reliable years of service to the Parliament Office.