Tribute to Brother Lionel Pearman By The Honorable Derrick Burgess, JP, MP On behalfofthe Premier and the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith - 2 Timothy 4:7 On behalf of the Premier, and our Party Leader, Dr. Ewart Brown, Party Chairman, David Burt, other members of the Executive, Members of Parliament and the entire membership of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, I extend condolences to the family of our dear brother and friend, Lionel Pearman. Unfortunately the Premier is unable to be with us today as he is abroad on urgent government business. Although we don't have the exact date that Brother Lionel first joined the Party, we are almost certain that he joined the Party soon after its inception, as history has recorded that he joined the Bermuda Industrial Union at a very early age. Brother Lionel came from a political family, the Pearmans of Flatts. Unlike his uncle, Russell Levi Pearman, or his cousins Gloria McPhee, Helene Brown, Calvin Smith and our current Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, Brother Lionel was never a Member of Parliament or a candidate, however, he could be counted on to assist the Party wherever necessary. Brother Lionel could also be counted on to politicize the Party around the lunch table at the BIU where many gathered on a daily basis to discuss the politics ofthe day. Although he was not a public speaker like his other family members, Brother Lionel was well known for his wit and cynicism. Brother Lionel used his printing skills to assist the Party whenever he was called upon to produce tickets, programmes or other printed documents required by the Parry. Those of us who would call on his expertise knew that Lionel Pearman at work at a printing press he not refuse us, however, we also knew that we would have to endure a lecture during the eariy days of his career. beforehand. I know this from personal experience because it was Brother Lionel who composed and printed the forms that I used for canvassing when a resident was not at home. I knew without a doubt that Lionel would accede and a network of family and friends would sit with to my request, but I also knew that he "would tell me ofF' when I made the them while they went cold turkey, which I'm made request. That was Brother Lionel's way and those of us who worked closely to understand, was a very harrowing experience. with him soon learned to accept it. Both Sister Gwen and Sister LaVerne can attest A long-time resident of Pembroke Parish, Brother Lionel would attend to the fact, that whenever called upon to assist, branch meetings and other meetings put on by the Party. Until he became ill, Brother Lionel was always willing to give of his he attended Central Committee meetings on a regular basis. In fact. Brother time to help. This effort resulted in many heroin Lionel attended most political meetings put on by the Party, whether it was addicts who remain drug-free until this day. about Sustainable Development or Independence, and he always attended Indeed Brother Lionel fought a good fight these meetings with his camera in hand. Although he very rarely contributed and he stayed the course, not only for the Bermuda vocally to these meetings, he was able critique the meetings either on paper or Industrial Union, but for the Bermuda Progressive verbally. Labour Party as well. And he kept the faith. He Brother Lionel could be counted on to support the Party at all fund- will be sorely missed by his biological family, his raising events and Sister Lynell Furbert can attest to this. In fact, we believe Union family and his political famiiy. May he rest that Sister Lynell, who is a master ticket seller for many organizations in in peace. Bermuda, sold Brother Lionel more tickets than any of her other patrons. We are also made to understand, that Sister Lynell spent many hours at Brother Editor's Note: Although Brother Derrick Burgess Lionel's bedside during his last days, reading the Bible to him. was on the programme to give the above tribute, During the leadership of Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Brother Lionel it was actually Minister Paula Cox, jP, MP, the also contributed, not only to the Party, but to Bermuda, in way that few knew Acting Premier who paid tribute to Brother about. At the insistence of Dame Lois, Gwen Robinson and LaVerne Furbert Lionel on behalf of the Bermuda Progressive took under their wings a young female heroin addict and tried to assist in her Labour Party. She gave her own tribute and then recovery. When other heroin addicts heard about this, they too wanted help read Brother Derrick's tribute. page 3