Such a Bill would legalize all acts and decisions made by the Executive and the Legislature during her split term of Presidency (1997-2001), and the need arises out of the contested 1997 elections, during which a vitiation order was issued by the court. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds however said that there was no question of the validity of the 1997 election.
Holder, otherwise said that Mrs. Jagan was outspoken, a dedicated wife and mother, an advocate for the working poor and a fierce defender of her party, the PPP. The other speakers also lavished praise on the former President. The motion was put forward by Prime Minister Hinds and leading off the debate, he said that there are few Guyanese who could match the former President’s life-long commitment to Guyana. He emphasized highlights of Mrs. Jagan’s life beginning with her marriage to former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan which he said, “smashed traditional ideas about colour, class and creed”. The Prime Minister said that Mrs. Jagan was one of the longest serving Members of Parliament entering Parliament in 1953 and left in August 1999, a period spanning 46 years. He described her term as Minister of Labour, Health and Housing, as “one of the most successful ministerial tenures in our country”. Mrs. Jagan became the fifth Executive President of Guyana on December 18, 1997.
Hinds noted that the run-up to that election was a time of tension and regarding the events that transpired after, and referring to the Herdmanston Accord, which shortened her Presidential term by two years, he said that while they were deeply hurt with the situation that developed and “rightfully indignant” about the proposal, it was the late president who showed the way. “It was she, who led the way in accepting the Herdmanston Accord”, he stated adding that there was no question about the validity of that election. “I think that step was one of great selflessness that characterized her”, he declared.
The opposition, People’s National Congress Reform-One Guyana, MP, Cheryl Sampson said that Mrs. Jagan served the country and her party in many areas stating also that she was a stalwart pioneer of women’s rights. Sampson also quoted from the PNCR’s press statement issued when Mrs. Jagan died. “No once can deny the courage, the toughness of this Guyanese patriot”, said GAP/ROAR MP, Everall Franklin, who called for fitting tribute to be paid to her memory positing that since she loved the arts, it should be ensured that the national monuments around the country not fall into the derelict state they are in now. He also told the National Assembly that it was a pity that in Guyana the virtue of persons, some of whom are prominent, are only extolled in their death and called for the re-starting of the National Awards. “Many members of her party would do well to emulate some of the humbleness that she displayed”, he added.
No one championed the cause of women like her, said PPP/C MP Indra Chanderpal. She said that the late President lived a purposeful life and noted her achievements stating that it was under her leadership that malaria was almost wiped out and working people saw an improvement in their working conditions. She said that Mrs. Jagan was intensely private but reached out to people at all times and was also fiercely independent and lived a magnificent life. “Janet Jagan’s life was a career of selfless devotion to the people of Guyana”, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said stating too that she was way ahead of her time in fighting stigma and discrimination. Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir said it would be a long time before the calibre of persons such as the late President, her husband and Dr. Walter Rodney among others are seen again. The motion sought to have Members of the National Assembly express sadness at the “immense loss” to Guyana by the passing of Mrs. Jagan. The second resolve clause called for the National Assembly to “give honourable recognition to the enduring, selfless, committed and distinguished service” which Mrs Jagan gave to Guyana and to the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana during her “extensive, varied and dedicated career in public life as a pioneer in politics and the struggle for independence and women’s rights, being among the first women Members of the Legislature in Guyana, the first female to be made Deputy Speaker in the world in 1953, one of the longest serving Members of the National Assembly, the first female Minister in Guyana, the first female Prime Minister on 17th March, 1997, and the first female President of Guyana on 18th December, 1997.” The third clause sought to “record our heartfelt sympathy and direct that such be conveyed to her children, grandchildren and relatives.” Mrs. Jagan died on March 28, 2009.
