There was a Senate Meeting at the National Assembly Building today in Belmopan. The main business of the day was to address a number of draft bills that went through their second and third readings at Tuesday's House Meeting. We'll show you snippets of the debate on those bills, but we start first with the swearing-in of Senator Janelle Chanona. As we told you, Chanona, a former journalist and the current Vice President of OCEANA Belize, was elected 7 days ago to become the new senator representing the NGO community.
So, at today's Senate Meeting, she took the oath of office and was warmly received as a member of the Upper Chamber. Here's what her colleagues had to say in their welcome remarks:
Hon. Janelle Chanona - New Senator, NGO Community
"Thank you very much for the very warm welcome from the entire senate. And as I have reiterated to those whom I represent, I intend to work very hard to honor their vote of confidence in me in this position."
Hon. Carolyn Trench Sandiford - President, Senate
"And I must say that we have added another woman to the Senate in Women's Month."
Hon. Eamon Courtenay - Leader of Government Business
"Madam President, May I, on behalf of myself and this side of the House, offer my congratulations to Senator Chanona, and warmly welcome her to these chambers on behalf of this side of the House."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte - UDP Senator
"As a young, university graduate, I decided to give back and do a year or 2 of teaching at SJC Sixth Form - I am sorry for them too, but some of them come to the Senate. That's when I first met the senator. She was impressive from them, and anybody who knows about rising stars within the society could tell you that Miss Chanona is one of those people. And may I say that we beam with pride."
Hon. Elena Smith - Labour Senator
"Senator Chanona, I am elated that we have another female amongst us, and so - yes, it does. It doesn't matter to you, but it does to us. So, welcome, Senator, and we look forward to working with you. We look forward to good things going forward. Yes, we love all the men in the Senate as well, Senator Peyrefitte."
