This afternoon, the UDP called a press conference to name the party's new senators and to discuss a $3 million overdraft facility for the Belize City Council. Alfonso Noble will tell you about both announcements, but he begins with the new senators.

Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The United Democratic Party's press conference was called on two issues the naming of the party's new senators as well as to discuss the issue of the City Council going to Scotia Bank for a $3 million credit facility where the collateral put up is the Commercial Center. It began with the naming of the Senators.

Hon. Dean Barrow, UDP Leader
"In that context, we chose three individuals who fit that particular bill, three individuals of proven talent, three individuals of proven experience, and three individuals with a track record of community involvement.

Let me begin then ladies and gentlemen by introducing first of all Senator designate Diego Bol. He is a Senator that hails from the district of Toledo. The next Senator designate is Dr. Deborah Mencias Macmillan. Deborah is from San Ignacio Town where she and her husband and family still make their home. Finally, let me introduce to you Mrs. Esther Ayuso Ramirez."

Diego Bol is a teacher of math and Caribbean history at the Toledo Community College, Dr. Deborah Macmillan currently heads the Regional Language Center at the University of Belize while Esther Ayuso-Ramirez is an architect. In accepting their appointments they all expressed gratitude.

Esther Ayuso Ramirez, Senator Designate
"I look forward to the learning experience, learning procedures, to be actively participating in what I think the future of our country needs and I thank you for the experience that I will have. I thank you from now."

Dr. Deborah Mencias-Macmillan, Senator Designate
"Let me begin by saying just how humbled I am by this nomination to serve Belize as a Senator in the National Assembly. Mr. Barrow you and your party have placed your confidence in me and my ability to uphold Belize's constitution and my oath of office. I pledge to the Belizean people that I will be a voice for doing what is right and for making their hopes real. I pledge to be rational, objective, and Belizean as I consider Bills that affect our livelihood, our future, our children's future.

My decisions on any public policy that comes before me as a Senator will be my own as a Belizean and as a free woman. I will take due guidance from the platform and policies of the UDP who by this nomination has placed their trust in me to represent their interests in the Senate. And I will make good on the trust you placed but I also hold sacred my right of independent thought."

Diego Bol, Senator Designate
"I feel humbled to have been appointed as a Senator of the UDP. I pledge that I will do my very best to ensure that that decisions that are taken in the House of Senate are decisions that will be for the betterment of Belize and for the interest of all the people in Belize. The other reason why I have also accepted the position is to ensure that the voice of the people in the south are heard in the house of Senate."