DEPUTY leader of the House of Representatives Olivia Grange told the House of Representatives Tuesday that she was surprised by her selection for the national honour of Order of Jamaica (OJ) which was announced on August 6.

Grange, in her contribution to a debate giving tribute to Members of Parliament named in the 2022 honours list, credited former Prime Minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Edward Seaga, and his successor Bruce Golding as her real mentors.

“It was a surprise for me. It really was, because I was not one who expected to be honoured, or to be given things. I am always the one who is busy organising for other people to be recognised. I am always the one behind the scene, working on things. So, after 25 years as an MP, maybe the longest-serving female MP still in the House at this time…,” she said.

Tributes were made to Grange, who has represented St Catherine Central since 1997, and will receive the highest honour among the three MPs selected. The others are: 25-year veteran, Everald Warmington (St Catherine South Western), both of which are in the current JLP Cabinet, and Opposition spokesman on health, Dr Morais Guy, by colleagues attending Tuesday’s meeting of the House.

Grange recalled growing up “in the belly of West Kingston”, and attending a preparatory school situated immediately across the road from the site of the current Parliament building, Gordon House, Duke Street.

“It’s been a journey. I have been through the fire, locked up in detention (1976) for nine months by my colleagues. Shot at three times. But, I never wanted to be in representational politics, because I felt that it divides people. But, I also wanted to represent people. How do you balance that? And so I decided, though it really wasn’t my decision: My mentor, the Most Honourable Edward Philip Seaga, of blessed memory, decided [initially] that I should run in Central Kingston,” she narrated.

She said that Seaga didn’t agree for her to run in Central Kingston, because he knew she wouldn’t have a chance of winning in the former Opposition’s stronghold.

“But, on election day, I learnt my lesson and it is an experience that I will write about eventually. I won’t speak about it, here,” she promised.

Her next move was to attempt to oust Golding from St Catherine Central, after he had left the JLP to head the National Democratic Movement (NDM), which failed to make much of an impact on the elections.

“It is good to serve the people of Jamaica. I am happy I made that decision. Campaigning in Central St Catherine was as if I was sent as a lamb to the slaughter, because I was running against the giant Bruce Golding, my friend. But, I walked the pavement, night and day, buy out every corner shop…because I was determined to win that seat and prove everybody wrong,” she told her colleagues.

“I cried when I won, because I didn’t want it to be Bruce Golding, my friend. He has always had an influence on my life. [Eventually] I thanked him for having confidence in me and now I am the Hon Olivia Grange, OJ,” she noted.

Dr Guy thanked MPs on both sides of the House for recognising the contributions he has been making, “and for the expressions made in Parliament”, since he was elected in 2016.

He said that, what is important and interesting is that, the day of the award will mark 20 years and a day, since his election to this House, noting that he was elected on October 16, 2002, and the honour will be made conferred on October 17: a day later.

Dr Guy said that the journey “has been very wonderful so far”, and that interaction with is colleagues on both sides of the House has been very rewarding.

“I have made many friends on this side and on that side, and it augurs well for our parliamentary process, and the fact that even before politics we are human beings and we are people who respect each other,” he said.

Warmington paid tribute to former clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Edley Deans, who died last Saturday, as well as residents of his constituency.

“It wouldn’t have happened without the support of the people of South West St Catherine, and I must say thanks to them for graciously extending to me that privilege to represent them, all this time,” he said.

“I am even more grateful and it is even more significant that it is happening on the 60th anniversary of our Independence,” he added.

He ranked Deans as the best clerk of the House he has encountered, and noted the late clerk’s dedication to his tasks and that he had learnt all the basic principles of Parliament from him.