Senators to put Bermuda first.

"There have been times when it seems as though we have been inclined to set aside the serious issues that face us as an Island, simply to hit at one another because we are political antagonists,'' Sen. Jackson said as the Upper House adjourned for the summer.

"Whatever the inter-party feelings may be, let us never lose sight of the total picture -- the ultimate goal of preserving and enhancing all that is good and beautiful'' about Bermuda.

"It's a job to be done,'' he said. "Let's get on with it.'' The veteran Independent made his remarks at the end of a stormy session that saw bitter words in the Senate, particularly between United Bermuda Party and Progressive Labour Party members.

Sen. Jackson said he did not know when Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan would call an election, but he would bet it happened before the Senate was next scheduled to convene on November 5.

Originally, he saw the Senate as a senior body to carefully scrutinise and review legislation, but he learned "that even at this level of the legislature, there is room for some aspects of political activity.'' The Senate was not intended as a cohesive group. "We come representing various colours of opinion from all sectors of the community,'' Sen. Jackson said. "That difference of opinion is healthy and has to be preserved.'' Bermuda was a "precious gem'' which faced "serious issues'', he said. Also during the Motion to Adjourn, Government Senate Leader the Hon. Michael Winfield said Sen. Jackson's remarks embodied "all that is right about the Senate,'' and "all that is right about the man who has served as our President for so long.'' Some questioned the type of debates that took place in the Senate, but those who did "miss the purpose of these chambers,'' Sen. Winfield said. "We demonstrate, I think, both the positive aspects of democracy, and, to an extent, the negative aspects of democracy.'' The job of Senators was "to represent the interests of people as we see them.'' Sen. Trevor Woolridge of the Progressive Labour Party said Senators disagreed sometimes, but "put the Country first.'' "At the end of the day, the Bermudian public gets value for dollars spent on the Parliamentarians who sit in this place and in another.'' Senators did much more than meet on Wednesdays, he said. There was research and preparation.

The candidate for the House of Assembly said he appreciated the opportunity to serve four and a half years in the Senate.

Sen. Jerome Dill of the United Bermuda Party said despite disagreements, "ultimately all of us are committed to the public good.'' Also a candidate for the House of Assembly, Sen. Dill said he would sit in the Senate for free if he could afford to do so. It was an opportunity to serve and help to "unify Bermudians''.

Sen. Joe Johnson (Ind) said: "When the chips are down, we really do come together.'' As an Independent, he was sometimes frustrated by party politics in the chamber but felt privileged "to serve under the President who has handled the chair with dignity and has done everything in his power to uphold the integrity of this chamber.'' Sen. Ira Philip (PLP) said it could be the last time he addressed his colleagues Sen. Scott and Sen. Woolridge.

He added he looked forward to the UBP being reduced to having three representatives in the chamber when the PLP assume the role of the governing party.

Sen. Maxwell Burgess (UBP) said he had enjoyed serving in the Senate.

And he had been prepared to accept the "pushing and shoving'' of politics, he said.

That was part of the deal -- and he never worried about putting personal relationships in jeopardy.

Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind) heaped praise on Sen. Jackson.

She said she had always held him in high regard, admiring his integrity and gentle character.

Sen. Astwood wished senators a happy and restful summer break.