–President Ali says at launch of not-for-profit organisation in his memory
–emphasises knowledge future generations can gain from his writings, legal submissions and speeches

HAILED as a national treasure, champion and legal luminary, Ashton Chase’s life works are expected to be preserved and shared with future generations through the not-for-profit organisation, Ashton Chase Inc.

The organisation was launched on Thursday evening at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre by the late Senior Counsel’s family.

Delivering the feature remarks at the ceremony, President Dr. Irfaan Ali hailed Chase as a lawyer and professional who, importantly, shaped the fabric of what made the Guyanese society, as he was deeply connected to the people of the country.

“It is not fame, power or position that drove him; it was his connection with the people, and his desire to ensure people were treated equally; fairly, and people had access to justice,” the head of state said.

He added that Chase’s ability to connect with the people of the country is what allowed him to be associated with the challenges of the country, and ultimately led him to be a part of the solution.

President Ali believes this helped shape him to be one of Guyana’s finest, adding that his place in Guyana and the Caribbean’s history is assured.
Further to this, he highlighted that during the attorney’s tenure as a minister of government, he spearheaded initiatives, and piloted legislation that empowered the working class, and as such, he will be remembered as a national treasure.

“He will forever be remembered as a national treasure; a man with dedication and integrity, and, in terms of his legacy, an example of someone whose commitment to the higher mission has left an impact on our nation. The ideals and ideas and the writings of such men will forever be relevant,” Dr. Ali added.

While Chase’s legacy remains firmly intact, the Head of state indicated that it is imperative that present and future generations benefit from the ideals he championed, and the wealth of knowledge he left in his writings, legal submissions and speeches.

He said, “As a role model, Chase’s example should inspire our children and their children, his ideals must be preserved and propagated for within them live seeds for building a just, inclusive and democratic society.”

Meanwhile, Chase’s daughter, Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase said that the not-for-profit organisation was birthed to promote the life, work and ideals of her late father.

She added that while during his lifetime, her father penned several books on various topics, from law texts to politics and current affairs, sadly, a number of these publications are not in print.

As a result, the attorney told the gathering that the first order of business following the launch would be to embark on the reprinting of his books and updating editions where necessary particularly the law texts.
With this, she added, “All proceeds from the sale of these books and other income to the not-for-profit will go towards the purpose therefore and to fund scholarships in the field of labour law.”

This field has been chosen as his passion for labour law is where he first made his mark in the legal profession.

“Today there aren’t too many who seem to gravitate to specialising in the field of labour law in Guyana and we do hope to remedy this through scholarship opportunities. It is an area of law in which those who are specialised are still very much needed,” Pauline added.

She went on to note that the Ashton Chase Inc. has secured its online domain and this will soon be populated to be a source for those wanting to know more about him, his life and his work.

Further to this, she stated that while this is just the beginning, there will be activities in the future through which his life’s work, teachings and ideals will be advanced.

The Senior Counsel passed away on July 10, 2013 at the age of 96.