A Parliamentary Service in Honor of Mike Espat

The House of Representatives and the Senate met in parliamentary service this afternoon in honor of the late Toledo East Area Representative Mike Espat.  They gathered at the National Assembly to pay homage to the lifelong stalwart of the People’s United Party.  Also in attendance were Espat’s family and friends.  As we reported last week, the former teacher turned career politician passed away on April twenty-second from a massive heart attack.  Since then there has been an outpour of condolences from Belizeans at home and abroad.  We begin our newscast tonight with a formal remembrance from Belmopan.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Madame Speaker, today we honor our dear friend and colleague, the honorable member from Toledo East, Mike Espat, and bid him farewell.  Before every house meeting, Mike Espat would join us as we pray the National Prayer and invite all to join me in the closing part of this prayer “and after enjoying the blessings of this life, please admit, Dear Lord, to that eternal reward that you have prepared for those who love you.  Amen.”  Please join me in standing to give Mike Espat a standing ovation for his life and service to his people and Belize. He was here because of you and because of what he believed in which is always to serve the people, all the people.  This alone made Mike Espat special.  This alone made him a good Belizean.  I can think of no greater moment for Mike than those times when he traveled across the Toledo District to meet his constituents and to watch Toledo grow.  The people of Toledo lost a true champion.”

 

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“While it is a somber time and yes, there is grief to be had, I believe there is much to be celebrated in the life of service that the honorable member lived.  I know they called him Iron Mike, but I‘d like to remember him as the gentle giant.  Maybe not in size of height, but certainly in spirit and intellect, passion that he had for his people.  It is ironic that in the budget speech that I gave a few weeks ago, I talked about the mortality of all of us in this honorable house and I talked about how we have to use these budgets and these policies to further the lives of our people and to leave a legacy behind because we can‘t take any of the material things that we amass on planet Earth with us when we go.”

 

Valerie Woods, House Speaker

“First, let me begin by acknowledging and thanking the family of the honorable Mike Espat for we know, for any member who has served as long as the member for Toledo East, it is really the member and his family who have given service to country with the committed support of family.  He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1989 and went on to serve six terms as the area representative for the Toledo East constituency.  On behalf of the National Assembly of Belize and the staff of parliament, we extend our heartfelt condolences to you the family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.”