Reacting to the sudden passing of Former Deputy House Speaker Deborah Backer, President Donald Ramotar said her contribution was not only to her political party, but to the national body politic, and will be missed.
The President noted that despite being on opposite sides of the political divide, he and Backer always maintained a very good relationship with their last contact being on Christmas Day, last year.
“She was very optimistic as is typical of Debbie, and full of life. Even though she was sick, she didn’t allow that to dampen her mood”.
Mr. Ramotar extended his sympathy to the family, friends and members of the APNU political party on her sudden passing.
The former Speaker was well-known in the legal fraternity as an advocate for women’s rights and in the Parliament for her debating skills and keen knowledge of the Standing Orders which govern the operations and procedures of the National Assembly.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman in a statement said he will surely miss his friend Debbie. He recalled that the two got into politics just around the same time as they became City Councillors together in 1994 before moving on to become Members of Parliament for the Peoples National Congress.
“Mrs. Backer was a long-standing Member of the Assembly; having served in various capacities from 1998 to 2014. At the time of her resignation in January 2014, she was the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, member of various Standing and Special Select Committees, and the main Opposition’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Public Safety and National Security. She has made an indelible mark on the political fabric of Guyana and her monumental contribution in the fight against injustice, inequality, and intolerance will be everlasting”, the Speaker said in a statement.
He added that, hers was an indomitable and beautiful spirit and her passing will leave a void that is irreplaceable.
Deborah Backer was married and has left to mourn her husband and two children.
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