Quinn Leandro Addresses Parliament

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Tuesday, 12 March 2013 02:29

By Colin Sampson

Antigua St. John's - The Member of Parliament for the constituency of St George, Dr Jacqui Quinn Leandro, made a surprise appearance at Monday’s brief sitting of the Lower House. Dr Quinn Leandro’s appearance was greeted with pleasure by her parliamentary colleagues on both sides of the chamber.

Diagnosed with breast cancer late in 2012, the minister of Education, Sports & Gender Affairs has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

During the period of her absence from normal duties, Dr Quinn Leandro’s functions as minister have been undertaken by Senator Winston Williams, who ordinarily performs as junior minister of Sports.

In her remarks to the House, Dr Quinn Leandro thanked all who had supported, assisted, showed concern, or otherwise stood by her during her trying experiences. In thanking her Cabinet colleagues for their unstinting support, the MP struggled unsuccessfully to hold back tears, especially as she expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the concern shown by Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

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Dr Quinn Leandro also specifically extended her thanks to the directors and staff of the Medical Benefits Scheme. The MBS had advanced the sum of US$100,000 to defray the expenses of her treatment overseas. She also thanked in general those corporate sponsors who had generously stepped forward to offer further assistance.

The MP recalled the shock and dismay she experienced upon learning that she had breast cancer, but also expressed the relief and confidence she felt when her doctors assured her that her condition was not a death sentence. She advised her listeners that she was at the halfway stage of her treatment, and confidently promised them that she would be back in a matter of months, representing her constituency of St George.

Dr Quinn Leandro also remarked that she might join in the day’s parliamentary debate; however the brief session ended after only a few speakers had made contributions on the main matter at hand, namely the resolution to return the CIP Bill to the Upper House with the recommendation that senators reconsider their earlier rejection of the legislation.

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