Hundreds are expected to participate in the Labour Day celebratioons.

The joint Labour Day planning committee (JLPC) representing all the registered trade unions in Bermuda have revamped the agenda that will climax at Bernard Park, following the traditional march from Union Square outside the BIU Headquarters building.

It will get under way at 11.30 a.m. on Monday

In the past many people who did not march tended to gather at the park, some as early as 8.30 a.m. They had little or nothing in particular to engage their attention until the marchers reached there and the speech-making began.

The programme has been revamped to cater to those early birds. It should be interesting, according to a JLPC spokesman who urged urged churches, workers' groups and other organisations to support the Labour Day events.

The social highlight of the weekend will be the 26th annual banquet of the Bermuda Industrial Union. It will be a gala event, as usual, at the Fairmont Southampton Resort.

Nearly all 600 seats have been sold out.

As we reported last week, guest speaker will be US Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, who is serving his eighth term as the Democratic Congressman for Mississippi's Second District and is currently chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

He is the longest-serving African-American elected official in the state of Mississippi. He served as alderman and mayor in his hometown for years. His reputation as a no-nonsense problem solver has earned him the trust of his constituents and the respect of his colleagues in Washington.

Another US Congressman will be among the local and visiting dignitaries the BIU will be hosting. He is Rep. George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. (pictured) known to have no hestiation in claiming Bermuda as his ancetral home.

Born in Wilson, North Carolina and commonly known as G.K. Butterfield, he is an American Democratic Party politician who currently represents North Carolina's 1st congressional district in Congress Rep. Butterfield's father was a Bermudian, Dr. G.K. Butterfield, who migrated to the US to further his education.

He became a dentist, married an American and practised in Wilson for 50 years. Dr. Butterfield became engrossed in politics and was elected to the Wilson City Council in 1953, making him one of the first African- American elected officials in North Carolina since Reconstruction (1862-77).

Rep. Butterfield obtained his higher education at North Carolina Central University, earning an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctor law degree. Before his election to Congress, he was an attorney and an elected judge.

He serves on the House committee on Energy and Commerce. He also serves as one of the nine chief deputy whips on the Democratic side. He is an active member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Rep. Butterfield's closest kin in Bermuda are members of the Pearman clan who own and operate the People's Pharmacy in Hamilton.

Among the other dignitaries at the BIU gala will be Premier Ewart Brown and US Consul General Gregory Slayton.