President Ramotar pays final respects to Former Deputy Speaker Debra Backer

Georgetown, GINA, March 28, 2014

Head of State Donald Ramotar today joined hundreds of people including, parliamentarians, members of the legal fraternity and other dignitaries to view the body of the late Former Deputy Speaker Debra Backer, on the forecourt of Parliament Building.

President Ramotar offered words of sympathy and support to her surviving family members who were present. On the previous night, the Head of State also attended the wake held at the Backers’ residence in Meadow Brook Gardens.
President Donald Ramotar viewing the body of the late Deputy Former Speaker, Debra Backer at Parliament Building

Reacting to Mrs. Backer’s sudden passing, President Ramotar said her contribution, not only to her political party, but to the national body politic was major, and will be missed. The Head State noted that despite being on opposite sides of the political divide, they always maintained a very good relationship with their last contact being on Christmas Day, last year.

The Former Speaker was well known in the legal fraternity as an advocate for women’s rights and in the Parliament for her sharp wit and keen knowledge of the Standing Orders which govern the operations and procedures of the National Assembly. Mrs Backer, 54 years old, was married and had two children. She became Deputy House Speaker after the 2011 General and Regional elections. After becoming a Member of Parliament in1998, she also served as Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, a member of various Select Committees and as the main opposition’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Public Safety and National Security as Shadow Minister of Home Affairs.