Pre-birthday bash in honor of PUP Leader Emeritus

The occasion was billed as a celebration of unity and purpose in honor of the George Price, the former prime Minister and Leader Emeritus of the People’s United Party who is also is largely recognized as the father of the nation. The elderly statesman is approaching his ninety-second birthday, so the moment was also in anticipation of that milestone. The event was organized by businessman Luke Espat, one of his loyal generals and while Price may have retired from politics, he was still offering words of advice on how to keep the party together. In attendance were party faithfuls from most constituencies who gathered at Espat’s Camp One. Duane Moody was at the celebration and found that the admiration and respect for Price, is enduring generations and party lines.

Duane Moody, Reporting
Price addressed his loyal supporters with a message of unity. The Christmas luncheon in his honor brought out the lieutenants, loyalists and supporters from around the country. He is not known to give media interviews, but he obliged and in a sit-down with Price shortly after his addressed the gathering he said he felt strong and well.

George Price, Father of our Nation
“I feel happy that we are united and I feel strong enough to live a hundred years more and I am nearing ninety-two.”

Duane Moody
“Are you anticipating that day come next month?”

George Price
“No, it will be a usual day for me—another day. The feeling of satisfaction and thanksgiving to God that the people now realize what the P.U.P. has done by building a nation and taking it to the United Nation as a member country.”

Price remains a central figure in the history of the P.U.P. Many said they were privileged to know him and recognized his years of service.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Niece of George Price
“He is such a wonderful inspiration and we are so very blessed that he is still with us. Mister Price is my mom’s oldest brother and my mom is fifth in line and everybody is still alive. You know the Price’s, they live long and it really a pleasure and great pride that we wish him all the very, very best.”

Said Musa, Former Prime Minister
“I say to all Belizeans that we are a very fortunate people to have the father of the nation, the man who led the struggle for us to independence and freedom, liberation that he is still with us and we must take full advantage of that. Don’t wait ‘til the man dead fi praise ah. Mister Price has an outstanding record in the region, in the world. When I was prime minister and I met these world leaders one of the first things they would always ask is how is Mister Price. In other words, he made his mark right across the globe and it is something that we should never forget.”

Daniel Silva Jr., Deputy Leader, P.U.P.
“We’re honored and I have a friend that came to this specifically to be close to Mister Price because some day it is going to be a very historic thing to be around the man that fought so hard to make Belize an independent nation. So I think it’s a very historic day.”

Lisa Shoman, Senator
“Mister Price is definitely the cornerstone of our foundation and our strength lies in the fact that not only we understand and remember our history but we honor and celebrate it.”

John Briceño, Leader, P.U.P.
“He has given his entire life to serving the people of this country and I think it is important to take some time out in this happy occasion as we come to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord to take back the time and reflect on what he has done and to show in a small way that all of us are so grateful for the work that he has done.”

Luke Espat, Businessman
“We’re just having a get together in honor of Mister Price today, the different arms, the marshals, the women’s group and all chairmen countrywide.”

Duane Moody
“It’s also a celebration of his birthday that is upcoming right here in January?”

Luke Espat
“That is right. That is a part of it, but we might just do another function at that time. This is a preeminent to that.”

But it was not only the P.U.P.s at the celebration, one unlikely guest who stood out was Shyne Jamal Barrow, the son of the sitting Prime Minister, who now goes by the name of Moses Leviy. Price was born the third child of William Price and Irene Escalante and on January fifteenth, 1918. Duane Moody, reporting for News Five.