Speaker Marks the Death of John Hume

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA, has today expressed his sympathies on the passing of John Hume.

The Assembly Speaker said: “This year has sadly seen the passing of many of the Members who helped establish the Assembly in 1998, but John Hume’s legacy dates from long before that.  As a teacher, a leader of the civil rights movement, the leader of his party and a public representative, he was dedicated to achieving peace and social justice in the interests of our whole community.  In doing so he demonstrated tremendous leadership, no matter the risks that were involved and will undoubtedly be remembered for his tireless efforts to build political agreement.

“As Speaker of the Assembly, I should also record his role as a parliamentarian in the chambers of Belfast, London and Brussels which helped build his reputation as an influential figure internationally.

The Speaker concluded: “I will make arrangements for the Assembly to recognise his service at the next sitting and it is clear that his huge contribution to this society will endure.  However, for today, a family is grieving the loss of a husband, father and a grandfather and on behalf of the Assembly, I express our condolences to his wife Pat, his children, grandchildren and his brothers and sisters.”  

ENDS

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