Prime Minister issues statement on the passing of Mrs. Beryl Hanna

(STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER HUBERT INGRAHAM, Nassau, The Bahamas) - My colleagues and I are saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Beryl Hanna, wife of the His Excellency Governor General Arthur Hanna, after a long illness.

Although Mrs. Hanna was born in Britain, she fully embraced and came to love her adopted country and its people and was an excellent example of Bahamian citizenship.

Mrs. Hanna came to The Bahamas with her husband back in the Fifties and right up until the time of her illness participated wholeheartedly in the life of our nation.

Mrs. Hanna supported her husband and his colleagues in their early struggle for majority rule and was herself on the frontline in that struggle.  Along with other outstanding Bahamian women, she took to the streets in placard demonstrations for democratic reform including women’s right to vote.

Mrs. Hanna will be sorely missed by Bahamians of all walks of life and of all political persuasions who came to know her and to develop genuine affection for her.  She had a special affinity for the poor and downtrodden of our society.

My colleagues and I join with Bahamians everywhere in expressing sincere condolences to His Excellency the Governor General, to their daughters Glenys and Dawn, their sons Dion and Mark, and the entire Hanna family.