Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 07, 2015 News
President David Granger yesterday paid tribute to the country’s first Executive President, the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, on the occasion of his 30th death anniversary.
In commemoration of Burnham’s death, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Mausoleum at the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens where his remains were laid.
President Granger told those gathered that Guyanese today are heirs of a “rich legacy bequeathed by Forbes Burnham who is remembered as a counsellor, guide, leader and teacher, particularly for his pioneering premiership, extraordinary and visionary leadership, astute statesmanship, and vigilant guardianship of Guyana.”
Granger spoke of the insurmountable challenges that the late President was faced with when he assumed Office in 1964 and his unwavering efforts to restore social cohesion, promote inclusion and nurture national unity.
The Head of State also sought to highlight initiatives taken by Burnham that were aimed at building the spirit of nationhood amongst Guyana’s six peoples, including deepening cultural awareness and understanding, and encouraging national art, dance, drama, literature and music. Granger said that Burnham’s passion for the arts and culture saw the construction of a National Cultural Centre, a facility that continues to serve Guyanese well.
“We recall his keen commitment to educating the nation from nursery to university; to the construction of community high schools, hinterland schools, multilateral schools, the President’s College and the University of Guyana’s campus,” President Granger reflected.
Burnham’s social protection programme for citizens, his massive housing plan, investments in physical infrastructure and his efforts to ensure food security by promoting the production of local commodities were all lauded by President Granger.
He also recalled Burnham’s “economic empowerment of communities; his common commitment to the poor his profound belief in the equality of women, of ethnic groups and of social classes.”
President Granger was also keen to note that Burnham was fierce in his approach to protect the Guyana’s national patrimony and territorial integrity against foreign aggression and internal rebellion.
“We today wrestle against the same principalities, against the same powers which still seek to appropriate our national patrimony, our land, our sea and our resources…we renew our collective commitment to continue his life’s work to create a good life for all Guyanese.”
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham served as Prime Minister of Guyana from 1964 and as executive President from 1980 until the time of his death in 1985 at the age of 62. He was also a lawyer and a father of six.
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