yesterday in the House of Assembly.

Ms Renee Webb (PLP) congratulated Mrs. Shangri-La Durham Thompson on the launching of her new book Battle for Freedom.

The author is "a very talented woman from Hamilton Parish'' who had written a book about drama and poetry.

Community and Culture Minister the Hon. Wayne Furbert added his voice to Ms Webb's gesture, also congratulating Mr. Colin Benbow for his book, Gladys Morrell and the Bermuda Suffragette Movement.

And Mr. Furbert congratulated Mr. Dale Butler, whose Writers' Machine banner sponsored both titles and many others.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan noted it was Heritage Month, and he congratulated those named above and all others who contributed to the heritage of the Country.

Mr. Butler had responded to a challenge in putting so much of his personal energy and finances into the Writers' Machine, Sir John said.

"It's important that as we mature as a Country that we learn about our history and our heritage that have made us what we are,'' the Premier said.

Only in that way could "we come together as one.'' Ms Jennifer Smith (PLP) noted that there was "an abundance this month of locally-written books, due in large part to the Bermuda Writers' Machine.

On a similar theme, Mr. Trevor Moniz (UBP) congratulated the Gilbert and Sullivan Society for its May 14 Bermuda Heritage Concert, which included guest artists from abroad. He noted the performance was dedicated to the memory of the late Mr. Keith Stanton of the Government Statistics Department.

Mr. Dennis Lister (PLP) was the first of many MPs to send condolences to the family of soccer player Mr. Lance Brown, who recently died of a heart attack at the young age of 36.

Mr. Brown was "committed and deeply dedicated to his community,'' not only on the football field, but on his job, and at his church, Mr. Lister said.

"He tried to bring a positive atmosphere to whatever it was he was involved in.'' Mr. Harry Soares (UBP) sent condolences to the family of Mrs. Jane Palmer Williams, a mother of five and a longtime employee of the Irish Linen Shop, who died recently.

Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams (PLP) asked the House to send condolences to the family of Mrs. Pauline Atabelle Little of St. George's, who died recently.

And he congratulated Mr. George DeSilva and Mr. Louis DeSilva of Hi-Span Construction Co. Ltd. for completion of the new cruise ship terminal in St.

George's.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess sent condolences to the family of Mr. Kenneth Smith, a "very good spin bowler'' who older cricket fans would remember. He was also an excellent stone mason who later contributed as an umpire.

Mr. David Dodwell sent congratulations to Mr. Willard Preece on his retirement from Elbow Beach Hotel.

Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness sent condolences to the family of Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who died yesterday after a bout with cancer. She was "an outstanding first lady,'' and the US had lost "a matriarch,'' he said.

Mr. Edness also sent congratulations to Auntie Lil Meredith Smith, the mother of Ms Jennifer Smith (PLP), who sent MPs cookies every Friday to enjoy with their coffee.

Finally, he congratulated Mr. Arnold Botelho, who was recently named Nurse of the Year.

Mr. Alex Scott (PLP) noted the recent change of command at the Bermuda Regiment from Lt. Col. Allan Rance to Lt. Col. David Burch. "We're basically seeing young Bermudians taking over areas of responsibility,'' he said, noting that Second Lt. Marc Telemaque was also moving up through the ranks.

Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill congratulated Bermudian Ms Sophia Cannonier of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, who was recently described as "intense'' in her portrayal of Stella in the Tennessee Williams play Streetcar Named Desire.

Mr. David Allen (PLP) congratulated the MarketPlace supermarkets for a "magnificent large cake'' just presented to the House of Assembly for Bermuda Day, decorated by Ms Earlene Lindsay.