heart attack on Thursday at the age of 55.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade asked for the House of Assembly to send condolences to Mr. Smith's family.

He said it was "sobering''' to think that a political colleague on the other side of the Atlantic could be cut down so suddenly.

Government whip Mr. John Barritt paid tribute to Mr. Smith as well.

On a happier note, he associated himself with Mr. Wade's praise for the Anti-Apartheid Coalition.

Mr. Wade said the Coalition should be congratulated for its efforts in trying to end apartheid.

MPs also rushed to praise the late Ralph Mallory, a cricketer and soccer player for Pembroke Juniors Football Club.

Shadow Delegated and Legislative Affairs Minister Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans described him as an "outstanding member of the community''.

Opposition House Leader Mr. Reginald Burrows also expressed sadness at Mr.

Mallory's death.

He went on to congratulate the House clerk Mr. James Smith for his role in organising the visit to Bermuda of the British-American Parliamentary group.

UBP backbencher Mrs. Grace Bell applauded the Muslim community.

She said Bermuda benefited from the community's "positive attitudes''.

Her remarks were shared by Shadow Youth Minister Dr. Ewart Brown , who continued by praising Suzette Harvey and her dance group.

St. Monica's Mission also came in for praise from Shadow Community Affairs Minister Mr. Jimmy Williams and the Opposition's Special Assistant Management and Technology Minister Mr. Stanley Morton .

Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith , for her part, congratulated the Masterworks Foundation, and the exhibition celebrating women at the City Hall.

Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira had words of praise for Bermuda College's "teleseminar''.

And a new book by former Progressive Labour Party senator Ira Phillip -- entitled Heroines in the Medical Field in Bermuda -- was hailed by Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome .

Other MPs congratulated Margo Harvey for being accepted into the University of Manchester Faculty of Medicine.

On a sadder note, they asked for condolences to be sent to the family of the late Mable Gertrude (Hendrickson) Curwen.