The late PNCR executive member Winston Murray was yesterday remembered as an outstanding public servant and parliamentarian by local political parties and his support group hailed him as one of the best presidents Guyana never had.
The PNCR, in a statement, said that it mourned the passing of its respected and valued Shadow Minister of Finance who had served the party for over 30 years. “The Leader, members of the Executive and all members and supporters of the People’s National Congress Reform, sorrowfully offer our heartfelt condolences to the wife, Marva, children, Mark and Shawn, granddaughter/daughter Makeba, grandchildren, relatives and friends of 69 year old Economist and Lawyer, Mr. Winston Shripal Murray, C.C.H., M.P., who surrendered life to the Almighty at approximately 19:20 hrs…on Monday 22 November, 2010”.
As a respected and valued member of the PNCR, Murray had served in many capacities including that of Chairman. According to the party, he was acknowledged as “a most outstanding debater in the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana.”
The party will host an evening of Reflections on the life and contributions of Murray, at Congress Place later this week.
The Winston Murray Support Group yesterday described the deceased as probably one of the best presidents that Guyana never had. “We say without reservation that Winston Murray had the intellect, vision, experience, leadership, capacity and empathy needed at this junction to be an excellent President of Guyana for all Guyanese, especially the average man and woman,” the group said. “May his ideals, vision and sense of purpose continue to energize the wider population and the group which supported him,” the body said. The group includes Dr Richard Van West-Charles, Ronald Austin, Kads Khan, Aubrey Norton, Jeffrey Thomas and James Bond.
Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) lauded Murray’s contribution as a public servant and as a Member of Parliament. “Winston Murray had a very successful career in public service. He worked in Government and in the opposition he worked hard in Parliament on behalf of his constituency. In this Parliament he was one of the best Parliamentarians,” the party said in a statement.
Murray’s quiet dignity and humility were yesterday saluted by the Alliance For Change. The party said that Murray served his country with a quiet dignity that has become rare within the body of senior public servants and officials. “He never craved fame and publicity, but chose instead to engage in his activities with humility and a great sense of purposefulness,” the party said in a statement said.
“There is no doubt that Guyana has lost a precious son and that his replacement is going to be difficult. We will all miss him and especially so in the National Assembly,” the party said.
The party, however added, that Murray would have wanted the fight against prejudice, oppression and injustice to continue. “But Winston Murray himself would have expected us all, and especially those involved in the torrid fight against prejudice, oppression, injustice, and poverty, to pick up our cudgels and keep the battle going,” the AFC said.
The Guyana Action Party (GAP) also offered its condolences to the family, close friends and colleagues of Murray. “It is apparent in times such as these, that we must do all that is necessary to build a better Guyana and thus a better world in the time allotted to us…Winston does not have to worry about leaving his mark. He left many,” the party said.
Murray’s “unfailing courtesy to friend and foe alike” and “the quiet dignity with which he embraced our shared humanity without sacrificing his own deeply held convictions”, was yesterday highlighted by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in a statement.
The WPA also labeled Murray “a model parliamentarian” saying that “his exemplary conduct on the floor of the House was a dignified rebuke to the rowdiness and cheap point scoring of others.” According to the WPA, “without giving up his loyalty to his party, he had a vision of the kind of governance our country needed that went beyond party to embrace citizens of other parties and … he worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality.” Murray’s “long years of selfless service to the nation, his unswerving dedication to the betterment of the lives of the people of Guyana, will always stand as the best of examples and a source of inspiration to all who aspire to public office,” the WPA said. Guyana, the WPA said, “is the poorer for the passing of her devoted son.
The leader of the Justice For All C.N. Sharma described Murray as “a political stalwart of high moral character” and “one of the most decent politicians to serve in Guyana.” Sharma said that it was Murray who encouraged him to form his political party. Sharma said too that Murray “could have been the person to take Guyana forward on the road to prosperity.”
Meanwhile, PNCR Presidential candidate hopeful David Granger also expressed his grief at the passing of Murray saying that the National Assembly and the PNCR “have lost a valuable thinker and articulate debater”. He said too that the nation has “lost a citizen of distinction” as a result of Murray’s passing.
Granger said that he worked with Murray on international relations affecting the Guyana Defence Force in the 1980s and was always able to rely on his friendly advice and assistance. Granger expressed his sincere condolences to Murray’s family members and friends.
The Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) also expressed their “profound sadness and deep regret at the passing of a veteran politician, distinguished patriot and model public servant”.
According to the GYSM, Murray’s “unreserved passion for national development and a just society” were just two of the many national ideals that he pursued. His passing has robbed the GYSM of a “true role model”, the group said.
