GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

Many were awakened this morning to the sad announcement of the passing of Guyana’s former President Janet Jagan who succumbed after being admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday. She died at age 88.

The former President and First Lady was taken to the hospital at around 17:00 h after complaining of feeling unwell.
She leaves to mourn her two children Dr. Cheddi Jagan Jr. and Nadira and five grandchildren.
A native of Chicago Illinois in the United States of America (USA), Janet Jagan was born on October 20, 1920 to the Rosenbergs and attended the Wayne State University and the Cook County Nursing School.
Janet Rosenberg, a student nurse, married Cheddi Jagan on August 5, 1943. He became President in October 1992.

The late former president Janet Jagan and her husband, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

She was instrumental in the formation of the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation (WPO) and the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) in 1946, and along with Dr. Jagan formed the PPP.
She held the position of Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly and Minister of Labour Health and Housing during the period 1953 to 1963.
In 1997 Mrs. Jagan climbed to greater heights by becoming the first female President of Guyana. Although she retired in 1999, she continued serving behind the scenes in Guyana’s politics and was also active in literature and culture.
In October 2008, she celebrated her 88th birthday in the company of a large number of Government officials and well-wishers at her Party’s Headquarters, Freedom House.

STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT OF GUYANA, MRS. JANET JAGAN.O.E,

The Government of Guyana officially announces the passing of Former Executive President of Guyana , Mrs. Janet Jagan, O.E., who died this morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after a brief illness. Mrs. Jagan was 88 years old at the time of her death. Mrs. Jagan nee Rosenberg was born on October 20, 1920 in Chicago. She married Dr. Cheddi Jagan and adopted Guyana as her home from 1943.

She was sworn in as Guyana’s first female President of the Republic on December 18, 1997 and served until 1999.

The nation has been deprived of one of its greatest citizens who exhibited strength, courage, humility, and commitment to the development of Guyana.

Her selfless and dedicated service to Guyana was rendered during her long, varied and honourable career in public life over six decades. She was the co-founder of PPP and also among the first female Members of Parliament, the first Female Deputy Speaker, the first female Minister and the first Minister of Labour, Health and Housing and Home Affairs. She was also Guyana ’s first female Prime Minister.

Mrs. Jagan struggled alongside her life-long partner and husband, the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, against colonialism and fought for peace, democracy and justice both in Guyana and globally. Through her determination she worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of all Guyanese, especially poor women and children.

She received the country’s Highest Honour, the Order of Excellence, O.E., and the Ghandi Gold Medal for peace, democracy and women’s rights.

Mrs. Jagan was a modest and simple woman who carried herself with great dignity and integrity.

The Office of the President extends condolence to her children Nadira Jagan-Brancier and Cheddi Jagan Jr., her grandchildren, all her relatives and friends and members of the PPP at this time of grief.

Mrs. Jagan will be given a State Funeral, the details of which will be announced later.

March 28, 2009.

Janet Rosalie Jagan née Rosenberg born October 20, 1920 to a Jewish, middle-class family in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America, became the sixth President and first female President of the Republic of Guyana on December19, 1997. She served in that position up to August 11, 1999 when she retired due to health reasons.

A youthful Janet Jagan

Janet Jagan served as Prime Minister of Guyana from March 17 to December 19, 1997 in addition to holding several other elected offices some of which included, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Government Minister.
After migrating to Guyana with her husband Dr Cheddi Jagan whom she had met and married in 1943, while working as a student nurse at Cook County Hospital, she founded the Women's Political and Economic Organisation and co-founded the Political Affairs Committee in 1946, and later along with her husband Dr Cheddi Jagan and others, the People’s Progressive Party in 1950.

Janet Jagan and her husband Cheddi Jagan (1943)

After her husband’s death in 1997, Janet Jagan was sworn in as Prime Minister on March 17, 1997 and ran as the Presidential candidate for the PPP/C in the December 1997 election. She assumed the Presidency of Guyana following the PPP/C victory in that election and became the first democratically elected female President in the entire South America.

Janet Jagan’s political activism began after her arrival in then British Guiana in December 1943. she worked as a Dental Nurse in her husband, Dr Cheddi Jagan’s, clinic. She became involved in the labour struggle and was a member of the first trade union, the British Guiana Labour Union, working with hero, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, to organise domestic workers.
As a co-founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), she was elected as the party's General Secretary and held that post from 1950-1970.

Janet Jagan about to be jailed.

Janet Jagan first ran for political office in an unsuccessful bid to represent Central Georgetown in the 1947 general election. In 1950, she was elected to the Georgetown City Council and subsequently elected to the House of Assembly in the April 1953 general election. She was one of three women to win seats in that election. Following the election, she was chosen as Deputy Speaker of the Legislature.
After the PPP’s electoral victory in April 1953 and the subsequent suspension of the constitution by the British Government, Janet Jagan was among those jailed. After five months in prison she was released but kept under house arrest for two years.

Mrs. Janet Jagan, her husband Dr. Cheddi Jagan and two children Joey Jagan and Nadira.

In 1957, she was re-elected to the House of Assembly and became Minister of Labour, Health and Housing and in 1963 Minister of Home Affairs.
Janet Jagan served as a member of the Elections Commission for the opposition in 1967.
She was elected to Parliament in 1973 and was re-elected in 1980, 1985, 1992 and 1997, eventually becoming the longest-serving Member of Parliament. She represented Guyana at the United Nations for three months in 1993, temporarily replacing Rudy Insanally when the latter was President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Janet Jagan was educated at the University of Detroit; Wayne University; Michigan State College and Cook County School of Nursing.
She was involved with the literary and cultural life of Guyana. She published early Martin Carter poems in Thunder (which she edited) and supported the publication of early Carter collections such as “The Hill of Fire Glows Red”. In 1993 Peepal Tree Press published her “When Grandpa Cheddi was a Boy and Other Stories,” followed by “Patricia, the Baby Manatee” (1995), “Anastasia the Ant-Eater” (1997) and “The Dog Who Loved Flowers”.

Mrs. Janet Jagan and her husband Dr. Cheddi Jagan 1995 at the State House.

She was also the editor of the PPP newspaper Mirror from 1973 to 1997.
Former President Janet Jagan was a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, an International network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders globally for collective action on issues of critical importance to women and equitable development.
She was the mother of two, Cheddi Jagan, Jr., born in 1949 and Nadira, born in 1955, and grandmother of five.

To the supporters and workers of the People’s Progressive Party who worked along with Dr Jagan and her in the early years she has been a mother, sister, confidante and helper.
Janet Jagan is recipient of the Guyana's highest national honour - Order of Excellence (O.E.), Woman of Achievement award from the University of Guyana and in 1997, the Gandhi Gold Medal for Peace, Democracy and Women's Rights by UNECSO.

Adventurers will get to have a once-in-a-life time experience as they take the journey on the 7th Pakaraimas Safari which left Georgetown at midnight on March 27.
Over 20 vehicles, eight ATVs and two motor cycles were part of the convoy that began the journey from Georgetown to their destination at Orinduik Falls. The journey will take them to Annai, Karasabai, Monkey Mountain, Kato and will end at Orinduik Falls at the border between Guyana and Brazil. The trip will last approximately eight days.

Participants prior to leaving for the Safari

            The Guyana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) Director, Indranauth Haralsingh, was on site to see the group off. He was optimistic that it will be a successful safari. He noted that everyone is upbeat and positive that they will have an amazing opportunity to experience the pristine and true beauty of Guyana.
            Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds performing the duties of the President and his wife are among the participants in this year’s safari.
            Renetta, a participant, who is travelling with eight other family members, said that she has had the opportunity to experience other parts of the country and have been looking forward for two years now to go on this journey.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds poses for a photo with a participant

            Osman Thomas a member of the Guyanese diaspora in the United Kingdom could not contain his excitement as he stated that this will be his first time to see the interior of his native land and he cannot wait to see the wilderness of Guyana.
            Cecil Beharry of Jamaica said that he has travelled to some remarkable destinations in Guyana but has never had the opportunity to go on the safari and has always longed to do so.
            Beharry added that he keeps retuning to Guyana because he feels that it is the last frontier in this part of the Region.

All set and ready to go on the 2009 Safari

            Manager of Rainforest Tours, Frank Singh and Adventure Guyana’s Manager, Navin Roopnarain will be leading the trip.
            This Safari was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the GTA, Rainforest Tours, Adventure Guyana and the Ministry of Local Government and it is being sponsored by GuyOil/Castrol, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and Air Services Limited.

The nation is mourning the loss of former First lady and Fourth Executive President of the Republic of Guyana, Mrs. Janet Jagan.
Mrs. Jagan died last night at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit yesterday afternoon around 17:00hrs. She died at the age of 88. Mrs. Jagan was a member of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).
On hearing of her death, many including political leaders sent their condolences to the family, friends and country on the loss of a great leader and person.

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)
In a release, the Party extended its sympathy to Mrs. Jagan’s children, Joey and Nadira, the relatives, friends and other leaders and members of the PPP.
Mrs. Jagan played an important role in shaping the early political culture of the nation, and helped to push the issue of women rights and liberation to the top of the national agenda and was a fighter for Independence, the PNCR release said.
As a Minister, she made her mark in the field of Health, Housing and Home Affairs. As a Legislator, she was a Senator and member of the Legislative Assembly and made an important contribution to national development, the release stated.
The PNCR release said that the death of Mrs. Jagan represents the passing of an era. She was the last, but one, of the original founding members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the precursor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Alliance for Change (AFC)
The Executive and members of the Alliance for Change also expressed their sympathy to the children, relatives and colleagues of former President Janet Jagan in a release today.
It stated Mrs. Jagan will be remembered as the woman who rose to the highest peaks of public life in Guyana through grit and determination. The release added that, for her political activism she gained a reputation as a strong and fearless leader; never being deterred by her detractors and opponents, and by the controversy which shrouded her life. Though arriving in Guyana as the foreign wife of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, she embraced all things Guyanese and left an indelible mark on this nation.
The AFC urged all those who have been a part of the political and social construct of Guyana in its formative years especially, since political independence was attained in 1966, to use the occasion of her passing to recommit to healing and reconciliation.

Justice For All party (JFAP)
The party’s leader, Mr. CN Sharma, extended deepest condolences to the family of the late former President, Mrs. Janet Jagan.
Mr. Sharma said that as a President she served in the best interest of the citizens. She will be sadly missed for her positive contributions towards the development of the country, the release stated.

The United States embassy, Georgetown
The U.S. Embassy said it was very saddened to learn of the death of the former President and expressed condolences to her family and the nation.
President Jagan’s U.S. roots and upbringing, as well as her Chicago-area courtship of then-dental student Cheddi Jagan, are well-known to the Guyanese people and a source of pride for the people of the United States, the release stated.
According to the release, Mrs. Jagan was as a principal figure in Guyana’s successful struggle for independence, she embodied the fight for the right of people to choose their own destiny.
Born just two months after the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution first guaranteed women the right to vote in the United States, President Jagan was herself – both through words and deeds – a staunch advocate of the rights and role of women in society, politics, and government.

Guyana Times
The newspaper also joined with the nation in mourning the loss of one of Guyana’s greatest leader Mrs. Janet Jagan whom it acknowledged was a Freedom fighter.

The ambulance at Port Kaituma Hospital, Region One (Barima/Waini) will be repaired and returned to the community within six weeks, according to the Region’s Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mary Williams.
            The ambulance has been non-operational for sometime and was brought to Georgetown late December for repairs as a result of mechanical failures.
            Barama Company limited handed over the reconditioned vehicle to the Port Kaituma Hospital in October 1999. It served the community for almost five years.
            During last year, some repairs were done on the vehicle, and a fan belt and spider bearings to fix the vehicle were needed, however when the mechanic began to replace the parts, it was discovered that there were other defects, Williams explained.
            When Sacre Coeur, a Canadian mining company was moving out of the Matarkai sub-region, they offered to help the Port Kaituma Hospital and the Regional Democratic council decided that the company will repair the ambulance.
            However, no repairs were done due to some financial constraint faced by the company in the beginning of 2009.
She said that the Regional Administration made efforts during 2008 to have it repaired but to no avail as there was difficulty in sourcing the correct fan belt size.
            In addition, Williams said that upon inspection of the vehicle, it was found that other works needed to be effected including body works to the flooring walls and the under carriage. Also new tyres will have to be placed, due to it being laid up for quite some time.
            The REO said that to date, the Operations Manager of Sacre Coeur Allan Murdock has informed them that in another six weeks the ambulance will be repaired.
Williams said that at the Regional Democratic Council’s last Statutory meeting in February, the issue of the ambulance was raised and noted that recommendations were put forward, that since there is no land transportation at the hospital that a new 4 x 4 vehicle and a motorbike be attached to the hospital, but no decision has been taken as yet.

Two days of mourning for late former President
-official books of condolence open

The Office of the President, in a statement today, has extended condolence on the passing of the first female President of Guyana, Janet Jagan, to her children Nadira Jagan-Brancier and Cheddi Jagan Jr., her grandchildren, all her relatives and friends and members of the PPP at this time of grief.
Mrs. Janet Jagan, O.E., died this morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). She was 88 years old at the time of her death. Mrs. Jagan nee Rosenberg was born on October 20, 1920 in Chicago. She married Dr. Cheddi Jagan and adopted Guyana as her home from 1943.
Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31 are designated National Days of Mourning throughout the country.
She was sworn in as Guyana’s first female President of the Republic on December 18, 1997 and served until 1999.
The nation has been deprived of one of its greatest citizens who exhibited strength, courage, humility, and commitment to the development of Guyana, the statement said.
In honor and tribute to the memory of the late Former President and as an expression of public sorrow, the Office of the President has also directed that the Guyana flag be flown at half-mast at all public buildings from today. Guyana representatives in foreign countries will be making similar arrangements for the display of the flag at half-mast over their embassies, consulate offices and other facilities..
The Official Books of Condolence will be opened to the public at the National Cultural Centre, Parliament Buildings and Cheddi Jagan Research Centre from 14:00 -20:00hrs on March 29 and from 08:00 - 20:00hrs on March 30.
Mrs. Jagan will be given a State Funeral, the details of which will be announced later.

After spending 10 days in the wilderness, travelling on virgin waterways and exploring Guyana’s untamed beauty, Robert Arrington, host of a US-based fishing show Reel Adventures, said that his experience was better than expected since upon the completion of his second expedition in Guyana he is even more certain there is great potential among the community of travelling fishers and outdoor enthusiasts who would want to explore the country.
During a press brief held today at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, Georgetown, Arrington along with Judy Karwacki from Conservation International and cameraman Joshua Gregory gave an update on their trip.

From left Judy Karwacki from Conservation International, cameraman Joshua Gregory, Host of Reel Adventures Robert Arrington and Terry O Brien from Wilderness Explorers

            He noted that one of the main objectives of the trip was to identify and strategise on future tourism projects; specifically his planned investment in sport fishing sector and this was done with little deviations to his business plan. “We are currently strategizing on a strategic plan to build a series of lodges complete with modern yet eco-friendly accommodations. This venture will be in partnership with the Amerindian communities and the people of Guyana. I am very excited and eager to begin.”
            Arrington was adamant that Guyana has something that the world would want to see, making it one of his primary reasons for investing in the country. He plans that within the next year he will have eco-tourists venturing into the pristine jungle of Guyana.
            He and cameraman Joshua Gregory are also here to film more fishing shows for Reel Adventures but the main goal was to explore the potential to develop five fishing lodges in partnership with Amerindian communities that can be used for catch-and-release sport fishing, bird-watching, and scientific research-based trips.

Host of Reel Adventures Robert Arrington and a tour guide from Surama hold up their catch, an arapaima

The team has explored four rivers in the North Rupununi region covering roughly 280 miles along the Burro Burro, Siparuni, Essequibo, Rupununi and Rewa Rivers.
            The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Conservation International (CI) were the major supporters for the expedition. Further, the trip would not have been possible without the assistance from villagers of Surama. Wilderness Explorers and Caribbean Airlines also made significant contributions.
            The team consisted of local boat captains and guides; lead fishing guide, Robert Allicock; Sydney Allicock Captain of Surama Village and Judy Karwacki.
            Reel Adventures first became interested in Guyana after James Currie, the host of Birding Adventures, a partner show that focuses on bird-watching, met a group from the Guyana Sustainable Tourism Initiative (GSTI) – a joint project of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA)/United States Agency for International Development/Guyana Trade and Investment Support (USAID/GTIS) project at their Guyana exhibit at the 2008 American Birding Association convention.

Guyana's first woman and fourth Executive President Janet Jagan died at age 88 on March 28. Mrs. Jagan who has long been involved in the country’s freedom struggle, served as the country’s first woman President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces from December 1997 to August 1999. She has made significant contributions to the development of the nation and is regarded as the most influential woman to have graced the political scene of her adopted homeland.
Many well-known figures who had the opportunity of working with Mrs. Jagan reminisced on their experiences about her life.

I have known Mrs. Jagan since the age of 16 when she was in office at Main Street, prior to 1950. After joining the PPP party in 1955 I was in very close friendship with Mrs. Jagan. In fact I will call her my political mother. All that I have learnt in politics have been taught to me by Mrs. Jagan and the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. They have groomed me over the years and I have gained the greatest amount of respect for her.
Mrs. Jagan was a cheerful, loving and considerate person who at all times greeted persons with a smile even when they were in the mood of anger. It was my commitment to communicate with her each day. I have lost a very dear friend, a comrade, mother and mentor.

Robert Corbin- Leader of the PNC/R

I’d like to convey my sincere sympathy to the members of the Jagan family and more particularly Joey and Nadira. I’ve known Joey for a number of years and I want to express my personal sympathy. I would like also, on behalf of the PNC/R, to convey our sincere condolences to the leaders and members of the wider PPP family. Mrs. Janet Jagan has been an icon in Guyana’s political landscape. She has been in the struggle in the pre-independence and post-independence period, led in the area and been very involved in the liberation of women and in those circumstances it is a loss to the PPP. On this particular occasion, as I’ve said, we can reflect on her contributions as a woman, as a political fighter and as an activist who was committed to what she was doing. I like to wish, as I’ve said, sincere condolences to the PPP.

Clinton Collymore, former Minister of Local Gov’t and Regional Development

I have known Mrs. Jagan since 1965 when I joined the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and the PPP party at the same time. She has always been a motherly kind of person. You can always go to her with problems and she would give great advice. She was a very able party leader. She takes an interest in everybody, even individual persons. I will miss her and everyone else will miss her too…She was a very capable party comrade and the party will deeply miss her.

Comrade Janet was not only a member of the party but she was like a mother, friend, sister and everything one can think of. She was very nice to my family and I will miss her dearly. She was someone who takes my troubles as her own.
I met her about 46 years ago when I joined the party. She treated me in that special way that a person should be treated. When Comrade Jagan died I grieved a lot but my grief for her is in a different way…It is as though I have lost a mother.

I have worked with Mrs. Jagan since 1972. Apart from her being a mentor and a leader, I have looked up to her as a mother figure.
When I started to work with Mrs. Jagan she taught me a number of things and because of her molding and guidance I have become the individual I am today.
Guyana has really lost a patriot. She has given all of her life to Guyana. We will surely miss her. Mrs. Jagan sterling qualities and contribution that she has made need to be recognized since she has given so much for us to uphold and work towards…She has left a legacy for the party, the country and for all women who have had the distinct pleasure of working with her and knowing her.

Mrs. Jagan was a real icon in the party and in this country to many, many people. She worked very hard for those persons who knew her. She was a very modest woman, unbelievably modest; you will find it a little bit of a contradiction for a politician to be as modest as she.
            She never really sought limelight which is also very strange for a politician. She was extremely generous to people from all levels. Whenever people approached her she did whatever she could have done to help them and I will say that she will be greatly missed by all of us. It is really a sad day for all of us. It is a ‘big blow’ to the party to lose such a person who has been in the leadership of the party since the beginning to the end of her life.
            It is also a loss of a colleague who has contributed tremendously to journalism in the media community of Guyana. She was also the editor of most of the party’s publications in the earlier days most of it the ‘Thunder’ and when she was asked to continue that job from 2005 she once again gave example to the younger members of the party of how disciplined she was as she got out every issue of Thunder every year. Apart from that she was also editor for the ‘Mirror’ for a number of years and even when she retired from that position she contributed weekly in a much disciplined way in writing articles for the newspaper.

The death of comrade Janet Jagan is a tremendous loss to our nation. I have known her for almost 50 years, 25 years of which I worked with her side by side as a Journalist of The Mirror newspaper for the calls to restore democracy in Guyana and freedom of the press. Her influence during that period was significant as we were able to fight successfully with others and to become the mouthpiece for the restoration for the rights of the people of Guyana. More than that Janet Jagan was a remarkable woman. Even though she had the controversial side to her life, it cannot be said that she had not given her entire life in dedication to Guyana which is more than what we could ask of ourselves…The journey ahead, of course would be, one that would be characterized by a void by her absence because I do not see anyone else fitting into the shoes of Janet Jagan…She was a woman of fortitude; she was a woman of purpose. She taught us how to be resilient even in the most difficult times.

I hope that for all of us as Guyanese, despite whatever has happened in the past that we would stop and to give this woman and outstanding leader her due respect and honour that she truly deserved and more particularly Guyanese women. I think that we need more people like her and we as women should strive to be like her, to be good leaders, passionate about our beliefs and honourable to our beliefs and principle and to also find the balance as women between dedication to country, and in her case, to her party and of course most importantly to her children and grandchildren. I just want to say thank you Janet for everything.

As a young comrade in the party we grew to respect comrade Janet as a wonderful individual as someone whom we had tremendous respect for, her insights, her moral standards her ethical standards are beyond question. She led by example, she was a disciplined person, very hardworking and she manifested this in the way she carried out her own life.
            Throughout all the trials and difficulties in her leadership and contribution to Guyana she maintained her high standards; she maintained what she believed in.
            When all the odds were against us, she continuously spoke of national unity of a Guyana where all the people should come together. She was a great contributor to the development of Guyana and someone who we as young people in the party grew to admire and respect.

Comrade Janet has been a stalwart, has been one of our founding members and she has done so much especially for women. Lots of persons especially the younger ones may not know that but the onus is on us to ensure that the younger people understand the hard work that Comrade Janet did for women of this country. We cannot say how much we are going to miss her at the level of the party but the work must go on and we will have to ensure that we carry on the mantle where she left off.

Mrs. Jagan was a towering figure in this country for several decades. She was involved very intensely in the struggle for freedom in this country, freedom for especially the working people of this country as you know she played a very vital role along with her husband Dr. Cheddi Jagan in bringing independence and democracy to Guyana. She was awarded uniquely by the people of this country who made her the President of Guyana. We will greatly miss her, even after being President she continued to be the leadership of the party, she continued to give guidance to the party and a part from being a politician she was indeed a lovely person who touched the lives of all of us in and out of the party.

She has influenced me in a very profound way because I started out in this party as a little child at one of the very first functions of the PPP/C when we launched the pioneer group on the first of June 1979.
She has really served and help to moul all of us in the party and the history of the party has shown that she has done quite a lot. When women weren’t thinking about their rights Comrade Janet was at the forefront of advocating for women’s rights not only for women’s rights but also trying to get those things done and bringing better conditions to the working people of our country.
She has played a very big role in the development of this country in all aspects of the life. I think a lot of people don’t realize the kind of profound role that she has played, because she started out as a nurse, she was a journalist, a writer of children’s books, a diplomat, a politician, a trade unionist; there are so many things that you can say in her life that she has accomplished and all of them she has done them well and I think she can be regarded as the most politically successful woman of our country and her outstanding leadership is an inspiration, a true inspiration for all women and indeed all Guyanese.

Mrs. Jagan has served Guyana in a most dedicated way from the time she landed on this soil of Guyana in 1943 and despite great difficulties and great provocations she persisted and she remained loyal and true to Guyana. As a true Guyanese she demonstrated her commitment to Guyana in multi-positive ways and through a character that was displayed above everything else humility and kindness to all.