House Of Representatives Pays Tribute To Late Francis Tulloch

Members of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday (June 28), paid tribute to and observed a minute of silence in honour of late former Minister of Tourism, Francis Tulloch.

Mr. Tulloch, who passed away last week, served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Minister of State in the Ministries of Transport, and Tourism.

He also served as former Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern and, at various times from 1972, for St. James Central, St. James West Central and St. James North Western.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, who noted that Mr. Tulloch was a friend, said he was an extraordinary public figure who had an undying commitment to the betterment of the Jamaican people.

He said Mr. Tulloch performed his duties with integrity and was a “great Jamaican contributor to the well-being of the average man.”

“It was a pleasure to work with Francis. We became friends and were much stronger friends while we worked together, and we remained so. He was someone [who] I could always call on for anything that I needed,” Mr. Samuda said.

He extended deepest sympathies to Mr. Tulloch’s family in their moment of bereavement.

Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, said Mr. Tulloch served with distinction as one of Jamaica’s foremost Ministers of Tourism.

“He was extremely accomplished and knowledgeable in the area of tourism and brought that acumen to the task as Minister,” he noted.

Mr. Golding said the late former Minister made invaluable contributions, not only to representational politics, but also to the development of the tourism industry.

He was integral in the formation of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) and the Jamaica Co-operative Automobile and Limousine Tours Limited (JCAL), which provide transportation services to the tourism sector.

“He was also keen to ensure that there was space for small operators to earn from the tourism industry, whether it be through transportation, craft, accommodation or attractions,” Mr. Golding said.

The Opposition Leader noted that Mr. Tulloch’s brilliance propelled him into key governmental roles, and he championed path-breaking policies and programmes, setting a new standard for Ministerial operations.

“From my standpoint, he was a legendary politician in the west of Jamaica, a true patriot and epitomised the best of Jamaica. We have lost a son who put the country before self. He was one of those politicians whose love for his country superseded his personal ambitions and motivation,” Mr. Golding added.

Tributes were also paid by: House Speaker, Hon. Marisa Dalrymple Philibert; Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte; Member of Parliament, St. Ann South Eastern, Lisa Hanna; Member of Parliament, St. Andrew Western, Anthony Hylton; Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell; and Member of Parliament, St. Catherine Southern, Fitz Jackson.