Mr Lee Kuan Yew's Ninetieth Birthday

The Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, marked the special occasion of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 90th birthday by highlighting his 58-year continuous service in Parliament since 1955, starting when Singapore was a colony.
Dr Ng expressed the House's profound admiration and gratitude for Mr Lee's pivotal role in steering Singapore from hardship to independence and laying the foundations for its prosperity and stability.
He noted that while Mr Lee's specific accomplishments were too numerous to list, his dedication transformed Singapore into a thriving nation admired worldwide for its harmony and progress.
The House extended heartfelt wishes for Mr Lee's happiness and good health, celebrating his presence at the event despite him making special efforts to attend against medical advice.
Members rose to applaud in honor of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, acknowledging his lasting legacy and greatness in nation-building.

Mdm Speaker and Members of this House, thank you for allowing me to say a few words before Parliament adjourns on this special occasion. I say it is special because, today, 16 September 2013, is the ninetieth birthday of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding Prime Minister.

An amazing fact is that Mr Lee has been a Member of this country's legislature for 58 years since 1955, when he was elected into the first Legislative Assembly of Singapore, Parliament's predecessor. Singapore then was not even yet independent and still a colony. On length of service alone, 58 years is a remarkable record. But it is what Mr Lee has accomplished for Singapore over that lifetime of service and struggle that is astonishing and without peer. I would not recount these accomplishments today. It is not possible to do so in a few minutes, and any attempt would commit an injustice.

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But I would, on behalf of all Members, express our profound admiration and gratitude on Mr Lee's birthday. Shakespeare wrote, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them".

Singapore was not born into greatness but hardship and poverty. Mr Lee, through his singular mission and dedication, steered this country to Independence and laid the very foundations that transformed Singapore into a modern and thriving metropolis. He led and forged a nation which, today, is admired worldwide for its prosperity, harmony and stability. In lifting an entire nation and improving countless lives of Singaporeans of several generations, Mr Lee Kuan Yew has left a lasting legacy to all of us and achieved greatness.

Mdm Speaker and Members of this House are delighted and honoured to be able to share this special occasion on his ninetieth birthday with Mr Lee in this House and he has made special efforts to be in this House and, I think, against the doctor's advice. All Members wish him happiness and continued good health. Happy Birthday!

Hon Members rose to their feet and applauded.

The Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, marked the special occasion of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 90th birthday by highlighting his 58-year continuous service in Parliament since 1955, starting when Singapore was a colony.
Dr Ng expressed the House's profound admiration and gratitude for Mr Lee's pivotal role in steering Singapore from hardship to independence and laying the foundations for its prosperity and stability.
He noted that while Mr Lee's specific accomplishments were too numerous to list, his dedication transformed Singapore into a thriving nation admired worldwide for its harmony and progress.
The House extended heartfelt wishes for Mr Lee's happiness and good health, celebrating his presence at the event despite him making special efforts to attend against medical advice.
Members rose to applaud in honor of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, acknowledging his lasting legacy and greatness in nation-building.

The Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, marked the special occasion of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 90th birthday by highlighting his 58-year continuous service in Parliament since 1955, starting when Singapore was a colony.
Dr Ng expressed the House's profound admiration and gratitude for Mr Lee's pivotal role in steering Singapore from hardship to independence and laying the foundations for its prosperity and stability.
He noted that while Mr Lee's specific accomplishments were too numerous to list, his dedication transformed Singapore into a thriving nation admired worldwide for its harmony and progress.
The House extended heartfelt wishes for Mr Lee's happiness and good health, celebrating his presence at the event despite him making special efforts to attend against medical advice.
Members rose to applaud in honor of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, acknowledging his lasting legacy and greatness in nation-building.

Page: 81

Hon Members rose to their feet and applauded.

The Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, marked the special occasion of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 90th birthday by highlighting his 58-year continuous service in Parliament since 1955, starting when Singapore was a colony.
Dr Ng expressed the House's profound admiration and gratitude for Mr Lee's pivotal role in steering Singapore from hardship to independence and laying the foundations for its prosperity and stability.
He noted that while Mr Lee's specific accomplishments were too numerous to list, his dedication transformed Singapore into a thriving nation admired worldwide for its harmony and progress.
The House extended heartfelt wishes for Mr Lee's happiness and good health, celebrating his presence at the event despite him making special efforts to attend against medical advice.
Members rose to applaud in honor of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, acknowledging his lasting legacy and greatness in nation-building.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's Ninetieth Birthday

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Full Transcript

The Leader of the House (Dr Ng Eng Hen)

Summary

Questions Identified

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's Ninetieth Birthday

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

The Leader of the House (Dr Ng Eng Hen)

Summary

Questions Identified