Finally, Osmany Salas Takes Seat as N.G.O. Senator

Osmany Salas

And now back to the senate. Osmany Salas, president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, formally took the oath that marked his ascension to the Senate as its thirteenth member, representing non-governmental organizations. It ends nine years of back-and-forth that started with a campaign promise by the ruling United Democratic Party that gripped the national consciousness even when Prime Minister Dean Barrow seemed to back away from it. Today, Salas paid tribute to those who helped him secure his senate seat.

Osmany Salas, N.G.O. Senator

“I just want to say how humbled I am to have been elected by the N.G.O. community to represent them in this Honorable House. I pledge to do my utmost best to represent the community, and to work towards sustainable human development, and the development of our country, for the betterment of our country. My pledge is, in addition to do my utmost best to represent the community, to help organize our N.G.O. community, so that we could be even more effective in the work of development that we do. I would like to acknowledge the presence of my family; my friends; fellow members from the N.G.O. community who came to show their support today; I’m very appreciative of that. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the tireless efforts from our teachers and the business community, for the work that they did to ensure that today would come true. And I also acknowledge the work and support from the Opposition, for supporting of the work of the teachers and their efforts; and last but certainly not least, thank you to our Prime Minister, for after a long wait, finally deciding to listen to the cries of the teachers and to sign the Commencement Order to ensure that today would also come.”