who celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this year.

Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon Phillips, of Sound View Road, have worked as hard in the community as they have on their marriage, Opposition Sen. Ira Philip told the Senate.

"They are the personification of good neighbours,'' he said. "And they are as friendly as their 12 children.'' Sen. Philip asked the Senate to send a note of congratulations to the couple.

Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind) agreed that Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had contributed "extensively to their community''.

Sen. Philip also asked that condolences be sent to the family of the late Mrs.

Edna York.

Mrs. York was a respected employee of Co-op supermarket and a staunch PLP supporter, Sen. Philip said.

He also asked that condolences be sent to the family of the late Mr. Walter Samuel Astwood Sr.

"Mr. Astwood, who was distinguished by the cowboy hat he wore, was one of the movers in the taxi association and one of the most ardent supporters of Dr.

E.F. Gordon and the beginnings of Bermuda's Workers' Association,'' Sen.

Philip said.

He also asked that condolences be sent to the family of the late Mr. Roland Bridgewater.

Mr. Bridgewater was a carpenter, businessman, and the father of former Member of Parliament Dr. Vincent Bridgewater, he said.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) asked to be associated with Sen. Philip's remarks, particularly regarding Mrs. York.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Alex Scott asked to be associated with both senators' remarks.

He said both Mrs. York and Mr. Astwood had made tremendous contributions to the community, the former as a PLP member and the latter as a member of the Warwick Political Association.

Sen. Scott also praised Allen Temple AME Church for its 125 years of "Christian stewardship''.

"And if that was enough to make us stand back in awe,'' he said, "they brought back to Bermuda a native son -- Bishop Vinton Anderson.'' Noting Bishop Anderson was the first black in the western world to become president of the World Council of Churches, Sen. Scott said: "When he stands and speaks, you know that you're in the presence of a great man.'' Senate Leader the Hon. Sen. Michael Winfield asked to be associated with all remarks made, especially concerning Mr. Bridgewater.

"He was a significant soldier -- a valuable person who has done a tremendous job,'' Sen. Winfield said.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon also sent condolences to the family of Mr. Bridgewater.

And she asked the Senate to send congratulations to the Bermuda Youth Sport programme that operates at the Navy Annex in Southampton.

She noted last week close to 400 young people were presented with awards for participating in the programme that was once under threat because of the pending Base closure.

But she said the programme would continue and its organisers should be commended.

Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) asked that congratulations be sent to the Bermuda Audubon Society on holding its 20th annual ecological camp on Nonsuch Island last week.

Government Sen. Jerome Dill asked that a letter of encouragement be sent to Principles of Gino Production who hosted a fashion show "which highlighted clearly the artistic talents of a large number of young people''.

Bishop Vinton Anderson.