PNCR to compile written works of Burnham for students’ benefits

Aug 07, 2012 News

– as party acknowledges founder-leader via memorial

By Abena Rockcliffe
Former leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin yesterday pledged his services to the current leader of the party David Granger towards the compilation of works and speeches done by the late Head of State Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
The commitment was made at a memorial ceremony held at the National Congress of Women (NCW) Headquarters, Public Road Kitty, acknowledging and celebrating the life of the country’s first Executive President.
That ceremony marked the second of its kind for the day.

PNCR Central Executive member Deni Rayman pays her respects

Yesterday morning, executive members of the PNCR also met at the mausoleum in the Botanical Gardens, where Burnham’s remains are located, to pay homage through the laying of floral tributes.
In the afternoon, even though threatened by dark clouds, Corbin presented an in-depth speech about the life of the “father of the party.”
He fondly acknowledged the National Service and other similar initiatives by Burnham.
Corbin made reference to several other remembrance days that saw presentations upon the life of Burnham, however, “after August 6, those presentations are not readily available for our students of history”.
Having made that assertion, Corbin asked for a pledge that by August 6 next year, “all these presentations and similar ones of worth” are complied in a single chronicle that will be available to students.
The former PNC leader said that with the publication skills of Granger “such a project could be a reality.”
He then used the opportunity, his first public speaking since congress, to congratulate Granger on his win.
“In painful reminiscence of an evening shadow lurk, a kaleidoscope of memories hurries across a faded screen of life as a weary warrior hopes vainly for another sun to rise, but the bugle is sounded the struggle is ended… a day is done. Victor or vanquished, tomorrow’s laurels are pinned on the mirror diary of today,” said Corbin as he recalled the work of Burnham.

Granger in his remarks said that the party is indebted to its Founder-Leader for his “visionary leadership, his astute statesmanship and his watchful guardianship of our young nation for over two decades from 1964 to 1985.”
He made mention of Burnham’s initiatives in culture; economic empowerment; education; governance; housing; infrastructure development; international relations; integration of the Caribbean; territorial integrity; national defence; social protection and public security.
“We remember him as an attentive mayor of our capital city; an articulate attorney; an astute legislator; an erudite debater; a prudent Prime Minister; a tireless trade union leader; a passionate Caribbeanist, internationalist and nationalist and a courageous warrior against colonialism, imperialism and racism.”
Granger added that it must be remembered the many challenges faced by Burnham, who led the country to Independence, on assuming office at the age of 41 years.
“His was the task of decolonizing society, mobilizing the masses, organizing the public services, planning the defence of the young state and repairing a fractured nation which had been wounded by the weapons of race war.”
Forbes Burnham died on August 6, 1985 during the process of a “minor” operation at the Georgetown Hospital.