Year's Honours recipients Dame Marjorie Bean and Sir Richard Gorham.

And they commended organisers and participants of the national conference on violence at Number One Shed this week and also the media for its coverage of the week-long event.

On a sad note, the House asked that condolences be sent to the families of murder victim Mrs. Rochelle West and late restaurateur Mr. Walter Sommer.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan led off the flood of congratulations, saying community educator Dame Marjorie had made a "tremendous contribution to the wellbeing of our Country''.

He said the violence conference was "probably one of the most outstanding conferences ever held in our community''. It lifted the awareness of all of us to violence and that whatever form it takes is unacceptable.'' Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams (PLP) also congratulated Dame Marjorie and asked that the House's sympathies be sent to former St. George's Visitors Service Bureau employee Mrs. Rochelle West, whom he said would be sorely missed by the local tourism business community. She was stabbed to death at work at the Visitors Service Bureau in Hamilton on January 5.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge asked that condolences be sent to Fourways Inn part owner and former Southampton Princess Hotel manager Mr.

Walter Sommer who died suddenly this week. Royalty and political dignitaries had dined at his Warwick restaurant.

"He will leave behind a legacy of quality and elegance,'' he said.

Ms Jennifer Smith (PLP) praised Dame Marjorie and Sir Richard while Mr. Rick Spurling (UBP) and Mrs. Grace Bell (UBP) offered their sympathies to the family of Mrs. West. "I hope her death was not in vain and we deal with this problem of domestic violence,'' Mr. Spurling said.

Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said it was an "extraordinary experience'' to have attended the violence conference. He said Bermuda should be grateful for the wise words of Chicago gang violence expert Dr. Thomas Regulus.

He also commended Dame Marjorie and Sir Richard for their accomplishments.

Ms Renee Webb (PLP) was the first Opposition member to praise the organisers of the "Blow the Whistle on Violence'' conference. She also commended the "dynamic'' speakers who came from overseas, especially Washington DC professor Dr. Beverly Coleman-Miller.

"She said we must put away the rhetoric and start some action. I hope (Government) takes heed of that remark,'' Ms Webb said.

Mr. Tim Smith (UBP) asked that condolences be sent to Mrs. West's family, noting he had attended Warwick Academy high school with her.

Mr. Ottiwell Simmons (PLP) asked that congratulations be sent to the Works crew who had gone abroad for training and had done a sterling job resurfacing Harbour Road.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness asked that condolences be sent to Mr.

Sommer's wife and son and noted his "outstanding contributions'' to the local business community and to the training of Bermudians in the restaurant industry.

He said the violence conference forum organisers had added an exciting "new element'' to conducting such a large-scale forum on such a serious topic. He singled out Child and Family Services director Mrs. Luelle Todd for her assistance and the local and overseas speakers for their tremendous contributions.

He also congratulated the media for "the sensitivity with which it brought the subject to the public and for increasing the public's awareness of (violence)''.

Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen said he too was saddened by the death of Mr. Sommer.

Mr. Dennis Lister (PLP) asked that condolences be sent to the family of sportsman and coach Mr. Chuck Jones who died suddenly last month.

Mr. David Dodwell (UBP), noting Mr. Sommer helped bring convention business to Bermuda as general manager of the Southampton Princess, asked that condolences be sent to his family.

The Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto (UBP) congratulated Dame Marjorie and Sir Richard and also Rev. Michael Davis -- who married her and her husband -- for his recent accomplishments.

Dr. Ewart Brown (PLP) congratulated top local sailor Peter Bromby for his Star class wins abroad in Florida this past week.