Speaker, I must start by saying my voice is not good today. I have the flu, and I ask for your indulgence.
This is a special day for our dear friend, father, teacher and son of the soil regarding his 24 years of dedicated service to his country. [Applause.] Hon Ellis has earned all of the above.
Hon Ellis joined Parliament in 1987 as a member of the Progressive Federal Party. It was after several years as a teacher, deputy headmaster and headmaster that he decided to join Parliament as a public representative.
Hon Ellis has earned the respect and friendship of many members of the House because of his warmth and humility. [Applause.] What we have learnt from hon Ellis through his conduct is that one who looks for a friend without faults will have none. Hon Ellis embraced all of us with our limitations and our strengths. He never looked for perfect friends, but he encouraged all his friends to strive for perfection.
The teacher in him is always evident. He is always full of encouragement and is accommodating. He is also firm and decisive. That is the father in him. We want to say to you, sir, we will be able to pay back the loan of gold, but we will die forever in debt to you for your kindness.
Today, we celebrate 24 years of patriotism. That is why hon Ellis qualifies to be called a son of the soil. [Applause.] In our engagements with you, sir, we have seen love for your country and its people. In times of difficulty, you were able to see the whole forest, not only the trees. You have been a leader of great vision and wisdom. You always think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.
We came here in 1994, not only as representatives of our people, but also as products of our divided society. There were high levels of mistrust amongst us. We thank people like hon Ellis and many members of this House for giving leadership.
We now have friendships across political parties. The House is now beginning to be a microcosm of the type of society we want to build: a society where people are judged according to the content of their character, not according to race, colour, class or belief. [Applause.]
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same again. Hon Ellis has done that. This House will never be the same again. [Applause.]
Your presence has contributed to the change we see today. You taught us that being in opposition does not equal being disloyal to one's country. [Applause.] You have been a member of the opposition for all your political life in Parliament, but you have been a patriot to the core.
In this diverse democracy, we have a diverse electorate that elects diverse leaders. That is what makes us a country of miracles. To sustain this miracle, we need courageous people.
We have said many things behind your back, sir. [Laughter.] This is the only day we have to come clean and ask for your forgiveness. [Laughter.] [Applause.] One of the things we have said about you is that you are a difficult opponent. Your knowledge of parliamentary procedures and practice makes you a challenging opponent to deal with. Your knowledge, skills and confidence make you a good return on investments. [Laughter.]
I want to take this opportunity to say to leaders of all political parties that the more we keep people in the system for an extended time, the more our democracy gets a good return on its investments. We have seen that with hon Ellis. Twenty-four years of experience has produced a rounded politician. We cannot have a democracy of 20 years with the average experience of members being five years. We must try and keep the good inside the system for longer to sustain our democracy. [Applause.]
If we had a single flower every time we thought about you, sir, we could forever walk in our gardens. [Applause.]
As citizens of the world, we would like to give you an Irish blessing:
May you always have work for your hands to do, May your pockets hold always a coin or two, May the sun shine bright on your windowpane, May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain ... May the hand of a friend always be near you, May those you love bring back love to you. May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you ... May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through. We would like to thank the Progressive Federal Party, the Democratic Party and the DA for giving us the opportunity to serve this nation with you. We would also like to thank your wife, your three sons and your daughter for sharing you with us; your father, Thomas Henry Ellis, and your mother, Dorothy Margaret, for giving birth to such a son. [Applause.]
This is the time to spend listening to the album of your son, John, especially that song that says Aluta continua. [Laughter.] Thank you for making us laugh, not a laughing stock.
Elizabeth Bowen wrote, and I quote:
Goodbyes breed a sort of distaste for whomever you say goodbye to.
Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean we will miss you.
When you buy a car with your hard-earned money, going for a new Mercedes- Benz with quality features, we will say, "Mr Ellis is indeed a good buy." [Laughter.]