Pearman, were remembered last Friday as outstanding Bermudians.

Government and Opposition MPs joined together in paying tributes to the pair, who died this summer.

They asked the House of Assembly -- which reconvened after its summer recess -- to send letters of condolences to both men's families.

While applauding them for their political prowess, MPs also detected two people from different backgrounds and with different personalities.

Mr. Vesey was seen as a private man and brilliant lawyer, while Mr. Pearman was described as outgoing and an excellent craftsman.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan hailed former Education Minister Mr. Vesey as a "student of legislature and keen scholar''.

"He was always keen to ensure that we as Parliamentarians stuck to the rules.'' Sir John said Mr. Vesey went to school in the United Kingdom, and joined the law firm Appleby, Spurling & Kempe when he returned to Bermuda.

He added Mr. Vesey served as Minister of Planning, and made a "significant'' contribution as Education Minister.

Turning to Mr. Pearman, Sir John spoke of him as a "champion of the underdog'' who excelled as a sportsman and carpenter.

Shadow Delegated Affairs Minister Mrs. Lois Browne Evans remembered Mr. Vesey as a liberal Parliamentarian and student of politics.

She recalled how she and Mr. Vesey attended law school in England.

And she also spoke of Mr. Vesey's love of the Caribbean, building a home in Montserrat.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge recalled Mr. Pearman as a great sportsman who became "one of the finest'' furniture restorers in Bermuda.

He told how Mr. Pearman created a buzz of excitement when he discovered doubloons and coins in an antique piece of furniture.

Mr. Woolridge described Mr. Vesey as a "brilliant lawyer, and a very private man with a great sense of humour''.

To the amusement of MPs, Mr. Woolridge also remarked that Mr. Vesey was a pet lover who named his three cats after politicians: Jack Sharpe ("because he is a peace-maker''); Quinton Edness ("because he is always causing trouble''); and Austin ("You all know what he meant'' .

Opposition House leader Mr. Reginald Burrows said Mr. Pearman was an "articulate and outspoken'' Parliamentarian.

He added Mr. Pearman achieved a little slice of history by becoming the first black man to fly from Bermuda to New York.

Mr. Burrows also touched on Mr. Pearman's concern for Bermuda's roads, and the need to keep them beautiful.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said Mr. Vesey and Mr. Pearman were "outstanding Parliamentarians'' who came from very different backgrounds.

But they also shared something in common.

"They had a passion for Bermuda and cared for the welfare of its people.'' Mr. Edness said Mr. Vesey was a private man but also very generous, who paid for the education of three Bermudians.

The Opposition's Special Assistant Non-Ministries Mr. Stanley Morton described Mr. Vesey as a "gentleman, scholar and friend''.

He stressed Mr. Vesey always carried an "open guard'', and was not closed or defensive.

Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said Mr. Vesey was known as "Honeybee'' since his school days.

Although not always interested in his school studies, Mr. Vesey was a bookworm who was aware that he was extremely bright, said Mr. Terceira.

Mr. Terceira also remembered Mr. Vesey as a keen fisherman.

Shadow Works Minister Mr. Walter Roberts said both Mr. Vesey and Mr. Pearman were great lovers of Bermuda, who strove to improve the Country through their political endeavours.

Government backbencher the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto spoke of Mr. Vesey's "streak of humanity and sense of humour'', and said she remembered him for his hospitality.

She pointed out they were both lawyers at Appleby, Spurling & Kempe -- a fact which cemented their friendship.

MPs then turned to other events, people, and organisations in the community.

Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ms Renee Webb congratulated her political colleague Ms Jennifer Smith for being elected deputy leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

It was just reward for Ms Smith's excellent performance for the PLP and Bermuda over the years.

Several MPs paid tribute to the Bermuda Junior Service League for organising the recent High School Debating Tournament.

They also applauded Berkeley students for winning this year's event.

Deputy Speaker Mr. Tim Smith (UBP) heaped praise on the Culturefest at Dockyard, saying it mirrored Bermuda's cultural diversity.

Shadow Community Affairs Minister Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams , for his part, applauded a photography exhibition by Royal Gazette journalist Mr. Lawrence Trott.

He said the exhibition featured work taken by Mr. Trott over a 10-year period.

Mr. Williams said Mr. Trott, a sports writer, became interested in photography when he joined The Royal Gazette .

Shadow Transport Minister Mr. Dennis Lister congratulated Mr. Gladwin Phillips for winning a gold medal in the World Karate Organisation Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.