Senators, minus Joy Grant, Swear Oath

The ceremonial opening of the House of Representatives took place this morning and we’ll have all the pageantry of that event coming up. But first, the new Senate was installed.  The twelve-member body is comprised of mostly new faces; Marco Pech is President and there are six Senators from the government side. The opposition has three representatives and the remaining senators are from the private sector, the churches and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. News Five’s Jose Sanchez has a report on the Senate proceedings.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

The ceremonial opening of the senate began promptly at nine. Marco Pech was elected as President.

Marco Pech, President of Senate

“I would like to express my grateful thanks for the high honor that you have been pleased to confer on me and I give members my solemn assurance that I shall do everything in my power to make sure that the proceedings of this house are carried out with dignity, equanimity and impartiality. I now call upon you to elect a vice-president.”

Senator Godwin Hulse

Marco Pech

“Mister President, I nominate Miss Juliet Thimbriel as vice president of the senate.”

Senator Gerardo Marconi Sosa

“I second that nomination.”

Marco Pech

“Honorable members, since there are no other nominations, I declare Miss Juliet Thimbriel as the Vice-President of the Senate.”

Gerardo Marconi Sosa

Each senator then individually swore the oath on a bible, starting with the government appointees; Juliet Thimbriel, Godwin Hulse, Charles Gibson, Lisel Alamilla and Marconi Sosa.

Senator Gerardo Marconi Sosa

“I Gerardo Marconi Sosa do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Belize and will uphold the constitution and the law.”

Chamber of Commerce Representative Mark Lizaragga, the Church’s Father Noel Leslie and Raymond Davis for N.T.U.C.B. then swore their oath.

The government was short one Senator.  Joy Grant, Senator who was appointed Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, and Public Utilities was not present. Opposition Party’s Lisa Shoman, Karen Bodden and Collet Montejo then wore the oath from across the floor.

Senator Lisa Shoman

I, Lisa Shoman, do swear…”

Senator Karen Bodden

“I, Karen Bodden, do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Belize…”

Senator Collet Montejo

“…and uphold the constitution and the law and that I will conscientiously, impartially and to the best of my ability discharge my duties as senator.”

The president then read a prayer.

Senator Marco Pech

“With your guidance, may all our endeavors tend to peace, social justice, liberty, national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge.”

Lisa Shoman

Senator and Minister Godwin Hulse and Senator Lisa Shoman then gave what was undoubtedly their shortest presentation in the past few years.

Senator Godwin Hulse

“Permission to make a short presentation. I would like to welcome all members of this honorable senate to this honorable house. All of you I have known pretty much all my life—we’ve worked well together. This senate has operated in a spirit of tranquility, dignity and we have upheld the law in the past to the best of our ability and I intend for this to continue. I welcome all of you. I look forward to a dynamic and progressive assembly of this honorable house.”

Senator Lisa Shoman

On behalf of the opposition senators that we are pleased to be here, we look forward to working for and on behalf of the people of Belize. That we know this is why we have all been appointed to the senate. And most especially Mister President, to say to you that you have the assurances of this side of the honorable senate that we look forward to working with you for the betterment and upliftment of all its citizens. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate4 with our friends on the other side of the senate and also with the social partners and we look forward that all of us may move this country forward.”

So the senate unanimously then joined elected representatives who were already walking to the stairs of parliament for the next ceremony. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.

The leader of government business in the Senate is Minister Godwin Hulse and if you’re wondering why Minister Joy Grant didn’t take the oath today, that’s because she is winding down office in Brussels.