Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament yesterday that with the death of President Emeritus Guido de Marco, the country had lost one of its sons who had dedicated his life to the common good and the transformation of the country, making Malta more mature on issues that formed part of the national identity.

Paying tribute in the presence of Mrs Violet de Marco and her family, Dr Gonzi declared that Guido de Marco’s life was first and foremost the answer to why people entered the world of politics. He showed respect to his political adversaries, listened to what they had to say and tried to persuade them.

Dr Gonzi said that all members were given a copy of the speech that Professor de Marco had made in his last presence in the House of Representatives where he gave tribute to the members of the House. This commemoration was returning that compliment. In that speech Dr de Marco had said that the highest honour that he had been given in his life had been that of representing the people.

Paying tribute to Prof. de Marco as an eminent criminal lawyer, minister and Deputy Prime Minister and also as President of the United Nations’ General Assembly, Dr Gonzi mentioned in particular his role as a university professor where he had also left his mark. He had set up the Police Academy and presented Malta’s request to join the European Union back in 1990.

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

No wonder that the Emir of Kuwait and his delegation had not only attended his funeral but bestowed such an honour on him.

Dr Gonzi said that Guido de Marco had also left his mark on the Nationalist Party in which he had militated since Independence, always emphasising the politics of persuasion. He had always been loyal to the party. In difficult times he had practised what he believed in.

He had 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 Gonzi referred to a letter that Mrs de Marco sent him after the funeral in which she said that she understood all that was beneficial in politics when she saw the waves of respect and solidarity that the Maltese had shown to the family on Dr de Marco’s demise.

The Prime Minister then moved the adjournment of the House as a sign of respect.

Leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat said it was not difficult to pay tribute to Prof. de Marco, even though he had been a formidable adversary of the Labour Party. He was an inspirational figure even though he had not necessarily agreed with everything he said.

He had come to know the former President personally when he became Leader of the Opposition, although he had always admired the eloquence with which he used to deliver his speeches.

As a young man, Dr Muscat said, he had erroneously held the impression that, as a politician, Prof. de Marco was “a hawk turned dove”. He had striven to unite the country and was a politician who had the vocation of building bridges. Despite criticism he had met persons from the opposition, including the present President (then Deputy Leader of the Malta Labour Party) to find a way out of the impasse that the country was going through (in the 1996-98 legislature). Prof. de Marco had shed his partisan political clothing much before he became President of Malta, declared Dr Muscat.

He attacked arguments and not people. He added that he had talked to Prof. de Marco two days before his death. Prof. de Marco was very cordial and he cherished this experience. His presidency had been a dignified one.

Dr Muscat also paid tribute to Mrs de Marco, saying she had been an inspiration and support to her late husband as were many other spouses to their partners in politics. He mentioned in particular her humanity when after the funeral she and her family had visited One station and thanked the workers of the Labour TV and radio services for their coverage of the funeral and their collaboration with others from PBS and Net Television.

Turning to Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, Dr Muscat said that he 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 to such personalities, and this not only through the erection of monuments.

Dr Muscat offered condolences to the de Marco family and seconded the Prime Minister’s motion for adjournment.

Dr Mario de Marco expressed his appreciation towards members of both sides of the House, who had shown respect and solidarity in the event of his father’s demise.

He quoted his father as saying it would be a mistake to think that political parties were closed within themselves: they were instruments to reach positive results for the country.

Guido de Marco had lost his father while waiting for the results of the general election that had seen him being elected to Parliament for the first time.

He had believed that politicians were there to serve the people. While profession helped politicians to be independent from the political life, politics gave them the opportunity to improve the country’s situation.

Dr de Marco’s oath of allegiance when elected to Parliament had been to the Queen. Throughout the years, Malta had gained its independence, become a republic, joined the European Union, enjoyed a stable economy and had a social safety net. People like his father had made all this possible, Mario de Marco said.

Guido de Marco had a number of characteristics that helped him in his life. He had a strong determination, which was also characterised by persistency, consistency and insistency. Even in the last years of his life, he considered his illnesses as challenges that needed to be tackled.

Parliamentary Secretary de Marco said that his father had also been an optimist. Moreover, he had advised him to stay close to people because they really taught him.

In closing, Dr de Marco showed his family’s appreciation towards the Maltese people to whom the political class should remain responsible.

The Speaker Dr Michael Frendo said that Guido de Marco had been a giant of Maltese politics, who also knew how to bring people closer together. He had been a person who believed in what he preached; yet he had always respected his adversaries. Guido de Marco was also a statesman and a person who never gave up – even to his illnesses.

Dr Frendo recalled that with Mrs de Marco’s help, he had tried to convince him not to go to Kampala to campaign for Dr Frendo’s candidacy for the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

His funeral was evidence enough that people of every political creed had respected him.

The House stands adjourned for Monday.