In the wake of last Friday's killing of 20 pupils at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, USA and violence against children in T&T, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is appealing to all MPs and adults to become child advocates.
She made the call in her Christmas message in Parliament yesterday. Her statement was made in the House before the sitting was adjourned for the Christmas break.
The PM said the incident in Connecticut was "very heart-rending, very tragic" as 26 people, including 20 schoolchildren, died when a young gunman opened fire in the school classrooms. In extending condolences to the people of the US, Persad-Bissessar said:?"We hold you all in our hearts, we lift you up in our prayers that you will find the strength to move beyond the pain, the anger and anguish that you feel, trusting that in time you will experience God's healing power and grace."
Persad-Bissessar then told legislators there had been some "unbelievable acts of violence against our own children."
She said:?"Such behaviour is intolerable, unconscionable and I respectfully task each MP and every adult to become a child advocate, ensuring our children are safe, protected and loved."
The PM?urged that the season of Christmas be used "to recommit our shared responsibility of caring for all our children."
Persad-Bissessar said the Government had presented more than 60,000 toys to children across the nation during the season so far. Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley, in his message to Parliament, said 2012 was not a good year for citizens and hoped the New Year would be a better one for all.
He said all measures should be implemented to ensure there was no similar incident to the one in the US taking place in T&T. In extending season's greetings, Speaker Wade Mark said the longest debate in the Parliament's history took place this year.
It was the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister which was presented by the Leader of the Opposition. That debate lasted more than 24 hours.
Earlier, the House approved the Securities Bill 2012 with amendments. It was presented for debate by the Minister of Finance and the Economy Larry Howai. The Senate will debate the bill when it meets tomorrow at 1.30 pm.