KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson is paying tribute to the late president of the Senate, Oswald Harding who passed away on Wednesday.

In memory of the career politician and lecturer, Tavares-Finson said: “It is with a deep sense of loss that we are faced this morning with the news of the passing of the Honourable Ossie Harding, who was a former president of the Senate from 1980 to 1984 and again from 2007 to 2011.”

The president reflected on opportunities he had to work alongside Harding.

“I had the privilege of serving as deputy president to the Senate when he was a president from 2007 to 2011, and his contributions to the development of the democratic processes in the Senate and the commitment to the rule of law will long be remembered,” he said.

Tavares Finson noted that Harding was also deputy chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party, and his contribution to the party will no doubt be spoken of elsewhere.

“The Jamaica Labour Party caucus, and I’m sure that I can speak for all the members of the Senate, certainly send their condolences to his family and wish them God’s strength during this difficult time…May his soul rest in peace,” Tavares Finson said.