There was a special Joint Parliamentary Service to honor 6 term Toledo East Representative Mike Espat today.
Both sides of the house gathered to honor the longest serving and most elderly member of the house who died on April 22nd.
The main speaker was the Prime Minister who said Mike Espat was irreplaceable:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think it's the least we can do for as tribute and honor to the work of Honorable Mike Espat. Because as I've been telling everybody, he has always been a man of service and service to the people. And repeated again, he started off as a teacher, a principal."
"And then he went on to electoral politics to be able to believe that at that level, he can be able to bring more development for the Toledo District. Many people can't comprehend where Toledo, the Toledo district was in 1989 when he was first elected."
"And the tremendous work that he did pushing for the Southern Highway ensuring that we could put more infrastructure in the Toledo district, and more schools, and clinics, and making opportunities available for the Toledo District."
"He was a true embodiment of a man of service, a man that truly loves his people and loves to work that he does."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Mike Espat was the gentle giant, iron Mike. And what I mentioned in there is that he was so tenacious and indomitable, because they talk about him winning six times, but they don't talk about the times that he lost."
"And to me, that is what is most impressive, because everyone loves a winner. But when you lose, it is extremely difficult to overcome the insecurities, the self-doubt, the detractors, the naysayers."
"And Mike was able to do that and go on to build the storied political career that he did. And to me, that is what I take from him."
Espat's ashes were also brought into the house - and members also signed a condolence book.
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