Forward with Francis! – New PUP Leader to be endorsed Saturday

PUP Leader-designate, Hon. Francis Fonseca

Belize City, October 26, 2011

The past couple of weeks have no doubt created a lot of uncertainty and panic among members, supporters and sympathizers of the People’s United Party and, indeed, a vast majority of Belizeans. With the PUP dominating the radio and television airwaves, many listened and watched with bated breath as the Leadership of the grand ole party hung in the balance.  Those feelings of uncertainty and panic were quickly replaced, however, by feelings of excitement and optimism generated by the euphoric news that the PUP National Executive had unanimously voted to have the Hon. Francis Fonseca become the New Leader of the PUP.

The news of Hon. Francis’ nomination punctuated a rather eventful week in the storied history of the PUP. So stirring was the announcement that even Barrow and the UDP had to take notice.  Surely, Barrow and the UDP realize that victory won’t cometh 2013 with Francis Fonseca at the helm of the “Blue Machine”.  As if in a sudden twist of fate, the very man who the UDP had dismissed as a potential candidate for Leader of the PUP has now become their worst nightmare.

Throughout his political career, Francis Fonseca has gained the respect and admiration of his political colleagues and foes alike. Anyone who recalls the child boy following his mother around to PUP meetings and public events would readily concede that Francis Fonseca was predestined for political life.  Indeed, no one could argue that when it comes to serving the PUP, Francis Fonseca has paid his dues.  Whether he was leading the Belize Youth Movement (BYM) or working alongside the Right Hon. George Cadle Price at the BELIZE TIMES Press Ltd. as an adolescent, Francis gave of himself selflessly and tirelessly to fulfilling the ideals of the “Peaceful, Constructive Belizean Revolution”.

The résumé of Francis Fonseca as a member of the PUP is nothing short of impressive.  Having served in various capacities on the Party’s National Executive which included Party Chairman, Deputy Leader and Senior Deputy Leader among others, Hon. Francis has performed exemplary and has helped to hold the Party together both when in Government and in Opposition.

For the son of William Fonseca, arguably the best Chief Education Officer the country of Belize has ever seen, there could be no greater a record of accomplishments than the record of accomplishments Hon. Francis attained during his tenure as PUP Area Representative for the Freetown Constituency and as a Minister of Government. With respect to the latter, the Hon. Francis Fonseca served as Attorney-General, Minister of Youth, Minister of Sports, Minister of Labour, Minister of Culture, and arguably the ministerial post he will be most remembered and lauded for – Minister of Education.

In just five (5) years (2003 – 2008), the Hon. Francis Fonseca, as then Minister of Education, presided over what many have described as an “educational renaissance” across the country of Belize.  From expanded teacher training to the construction of new schools and additional classrooms in every district to the introduction of a “National Textbook Programme”, just to name a few, the Hon. Francis Fonseca rescued a failing education system and made it ready for full and active participation in the 21st Century.  Guided by his father and the then Prime Minister and a former Minister of Education himself, the Right Hon. Said Musa, Hon. Francis charted a new and progressive course for Belize’s Educational System, a course that would see education in Belize grow by leaps and bounds.

As Minister of Education, the Hon. Francis Fonseca always led with a deep sense of conviction and purpose.  This fact can be best explained in the words of the honourable gentleman at the official opening of the three-day National Education Summit on May 24, 2004.  On that historic day, Hon. Francis declared, “We meet in the name of the Belizean children whose hopes and aspirations are our nation’s hopes and aspirations.  It is for them that we live, work and rise each morning”.

As two-term Area Representative for the Freetown Constituency, Hon. Francis continues to enjoy the overwhelming support and confidence of the people of this Belize City north-side Constituency.  During his inaugural term (2003 – 2008), the Hon. Francis Fonseca transformed the Freetown Constituency into a developed urban community that featured modern facilities and amenities such as police substations, health center, education and opportunity center, parks and playgrounds, basketball courts, football fields, community preschool and land development projects among others.  Always one to keep in regular touch with his constituents, the Hon. Francis continues to attend to the needs and concerns of the people of Freetown notwithstanding the constraints brought upon by an oppressive and vindictive UDP Government.

To know Francis Fonseca is to know humility and service. For those who have had the opportunity to work with him, they would tell you that there are three Fs that describe Francis Fonseca, i.e. FAIR, FRANK and FIRM.

Perhaps, his greatest qualification is, however, that Francis Fonseca is a student of the Right Hon. George Cadle Price.  As a young soldier of the “Peaceful Constructive Revolution”, Francis Fonseca listened attentively to the immortal words of the “Father of the Nation”, none which resonated more with him than the words “Serve the People”.

Like his Leader Emeritus, the man to whom he turned for counsel and guidance even during his final days, Francis Fonseca is a true soldier of the “Peaceful Constructive Revolution” and a true servant of the people.  And so it is with this conviction that the spirit of the PUP is witnessing a renewal and a fresh breeze of hope is blowing across Belize – FORWARD with FRANCIS!  QUE VIVA PUP!

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