By DALCY LULUA
MEMBER for Ialibu-Pangia and People’s National Congress (PNC) Party Leader, Hon. Peter O’Neill has called on leaders of today to follow the examples set by ‘founding fathers’.
Mr. O’Neill made this call yesterday while paying his tribute to late Sir Julius Chan on the floor of parliament.
“While we enjoy this world economy, we must not forget the foundations the founding fathers have set,” the PNC Party Leader said.
He said: “The work of late Sir Julius Chan, late Sir Michael Somare and many other founding fathers have set the foundations, which many of us are beneficiaries, educated and we are now serving as leaders in this country because of the hard work that they have done”.
“It is our duty as leaders and members of parliament, that we learn from the examples that these leaders have set for us, and we try and use that experience to guide us in making decisions,” said Mr O’Neill.
The Ialibu-Pangia MP further highlighted the work that were done during the time the founding fathers serve as Members of the Parliament.
“During the formation of our nation, many of our leaders visited many countries that practice Western democracies like ours.
“These few leaders have laid the foundations of which we call our great nation today that remains independent, free and enjoys the democratic values they have enshrined in the Constitution that we now respect and honour in this country.”
Mr O’Neill further highlighted that he was privileged to work with the two founding fathers and describe them as great leaders.
“Despite many challenges we face today, and of course, over the last 50 years, I am privileged that a few of us, in this Parliament in the past have had a privilege of working with these great leaders, Sir Julius Chan and many other leaders. We have benefited greatly.
“I want us to reflect on the work that these great men have done, and in particular; the late Founding Fathers.
“We are all earthly men. We have made mistakes, but man like Sir Julius Chan in the life of a country are very rare to find, and we are privileged to have heard him in this honourable house, serving our country,” said the PNC Party Leader.
Mr O’Neill thanked late Sir Julius Chan’s family for sharing him with the nation from a young man to the time he died.
“He served in this country throughout his entire life, from a young man until his death, with courage.
“He is one of the very few leaders in this country, that has been honoured as the founders of our great nation.”
