The House of Representatives reconvened today after the summer recess but rose early as a sign of respect following the demise of former President Guido de Marco, who was an MP for 30 years.

The House also expressed its condolences to President George Abela and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi following the passing away of their fathers Gigi and George.

Leader of the House Tonio Borg Borg described Mr Gonzi as a helpful and sociable character, well known in Valletta. Mr Gonzi was well loved by the people and was particularly liked by young lawyers whom he helped while he worked as deputy registrar at the law courts. The death of Mr Gonzi was a moment of sorrow for his family but, Dr Borg said its members would find solace in their friends and their faith.

Leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat said the loss of a parent was indeed a sorrowful moment. The parents of politicians were very sensitive to what others said about their children and in this respect they at times suffered.

The Prime Minister, on his behalf and on behalf of his brother Michael, thanked the House for their words of appreciation of his father’s life .

Dr Gonzi said that the expression of positive words on the character of the deceased assisted the bereaved in coping with their sorrow. His father was proud of his sons’ political achievements. But this did not change his lifestyle or character and he always saw the positive side of life. He also agreed with the leader of the Opposition on the experience parents of politicians passed through.

Mr Speaker Michael Frendo described Mr Gonzi as sociable and always ready to encourage young lawyers.

Dr Borg said he came to know the President’s father, George, only recently but he came to appreciate his calm, humble and altruistic nature.

He praised Mr Abela for providing stability for his family through hard work as a stevedore.

Dr Muscat described George Abela senior as a true Qormi man and a hard worker. He was also a humble person who took within his family another child, at a time when fostering was not heard of, and saw to his family’s needs.

The Speaker said that although he did not personally know George Abela, he was known to have brought up his family responsibly and with integrity and deserved the honour and respect of the House.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi led the tributes of the House to Prof de Marco.

He said the country lost a son who had dedicated his life to the common good and the transformation of the country making it more mature on issues that formed part of the national identity.

Guido de Marco would be remembered for his determination, the correct manner he went about his activities, the respect he showed his political adversaries, and his efforts to persuade them.

The Prime Minister noted that Prof de Marco had said, in his last address to the House, that the greatest honour that he had been given in his life was that of representing the people.

Dr Gonzi paid tribute to Prof de Marco as an eminent lawyer in the Criminal Court, Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and also as President of the United Nations’ General Assembly. As Home Affairs Minister he had set up the Police Academy and as Foreign Minister he presented Malta's application to join the EU.

His role as President of the UN General Assembly came at a time when Iraq invaded Kuwait. In this role he had the courage to take a clear stance and declare that Kuwait should be given all necessary support in that time of dire need.

Dr Gonzi also paid tribute to Prof de Marco for his role int he Nationalist Party.He has always emphasised the politics of persuasion and was always loyal to the party. In difficult times he practised what he believed in.

He reached the peak of his political career as President of Malta where he showed that he was above party politics and gained everybody’s respect.

Dr Muscat said that it was not difficult to pay tribute to Professor de Marco. Although he was a formidable adversary of the Labour Party, he was an inspirational figure even though one may not necessarily agree with everything he said.

He came to know Professor de Marco personally when he became Leader of the Opposition although he had always admired the eloquence with which he used to deliver his speeches. Prof de Marco had worked to unite the country and was a politician who was able to build bridges.

Professor de Marco had shed his partisan political clothing well before he became President of Malta and he always attacked arguments and not people.

The Leader of the Opposition, like the Prime Minister, also paid tribute to Mrs de Marco. He mentioned in particular her humanity when after the funeral she and her family visited ONE station and thanked the workers for their coverage of the funeral and their collaboration with others from PBS and NET television.

Dr Muscat said that Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco should be proud of having such a father who was also a statesman. He added that the country should find a way to show permanent appreciation of such personalities and this not only through the erection of monuments.

Parliamentary Secretary de Marco thanked the House. He said that it would be a mistake to think that political parties were closed within themselves: they were instruments to achieve positive results for the country. .

His father had always believed that politics were a means to serve the people. While the profession helped the politician to be independent from the political life, politics gave the opportunity to improve the country’s situation.

Throughout the years, Malta had gained its independence, became a republic, joined the European Union, enjoyed a growing economy and had a social safety net. People like his father made all this possible.

Dr de Marco praised his father for being persistent, consistent and insistent and said that even in the last years of his life, he considered his illnesses as challenges that needed to be tackled.

Mario de Marco said that his father was also an optimist. Moreover, he had advised him to stay close to people since they really taught him.

Dr Frendo said that Guido de Marco was a giant of Maltese politics, who also knew how to bring people together.

He was a person who believed in what he preached yet always respected his adversaries. Guido de Marco was also a statesman. He was a person who never gave up, even to his illnesses.

Amid applause, the House then adjourned for Monday.