Dame Louise celebrates 104th birthday

Many people spoke and paid tribute to the former independent senator including Arima businessman and activist Roger Belix who spoke about Horne’s contribution to Arima and to the country. He suggested that a wing in the new Arima Hospital be named after her.

Belix of the Jonathan Belix Foundation said Horne who is a founding member of the foundation spent a lot of time lobbying for a hospital in Arima. He said he felt it necessary to celebrate Horne’s birthday with her.

“It was important that I had to be here you don’t give up somebody because of senior years. It is very important that we respect our elders and that is what I’m hoping will transcend throughout the country,” he said. After giving his suggestion, Deputy Speaker and Tunapuna MP Esmond Forde told Belix he would mention it to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh but encouraged Belix to put it in writing.

Horne was born in Arima on May 13, 1913 and taught at the Arima Boys’ Government School for several years. She was later handpicked by late President Sir Ellis Clarke to serve as an independent senator in the Upper House from 1976 to 1991. Also paying tribute to Horne was her adopted son Lennox Pierre. He said she made full use of the 104 years God has given her. He said she played a big role in his development.

“She would buy books for me and be a counsel not only to me but to my sisters and my family. She is an exemplar in the sense that that generation they give you a sense of class. A sense of themselves. A sense of being in charge. A sense of making a contribution. She also taught all of us that you need to believe in something and stand for something. And you would realise just listening to her she was no pushover,” he said.