end racism according to his colleagues in the House of Assembly.

And members on both sides of the House described Dr. Stubbs, who died Tuesday, as one of the Island's great statesmen.

On the whole, the business of the day was suspended as Parliamentarians paid tribute as members of Dr. Stubbs' family listened from the public gallery.

Following a minute's silence Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan started a long session of tribute. Sir John said: "There is a void in our midst today. On Tuesday, we were all saddened by the passing of our dear friend, our long-time Parliamentary colleague, my Paget East running mate, an outstanding doctor and surgeon -- Dr. John Doen Stubbs.

"Dr. Stubbs was a giant of a man, both in the political world and in the medical field. He dedicated his to helping this community that he so loved.

"Even after learning 17 months ago that his time on this earth was not as long as he had hoped it could be, Dr. Stubbs continued to give this country 100 percent.'' The Premier was the first to mention Dr. Stubbs' work in eradicating racism and promoting integration in Bermuda.

Sir John said: "There is a lot of discussion now in the community about ending racism and prejudice, but Dr. Stubbs was doing his part way back in 1965. During the early years of his political career, one of the first things he did was to help build the UBP into the bi-racial institution it is today.'' The recent gay rights amendment was described as "his last great fight in this House'' by the Premier.

He went on to describe Dr. Stubbs' work in both medicine and telecommunications. This included his introduction of surgical techniques like laparoscopic surgery to Bermuda.

As a tribute to Dr. Stubbs, Sir John read out the passage "Footprints.'' He added: "We have truly lost a son of the soil. He made endless sacrifices for his country as he balanced a busy professional surgery with a busy political life and a growing family.'' Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade (PLP) passed on his parties condolences to the family of Dr. Stubbs.

They first met between 1965-68 when they both believed Sir Henry Tucker and the senior members of the newly formed United Bermuda Party would have to change their ways.

Nowadays, Mr. Wade said: "His own party has a look of integration but how deep it is another question.

"He stood out as a liberal among conservatives. His thoughts and his deeds demonstrated a liberal approach to many of our problems.

"That was John Stubbs, a man who would fight for what he believed in. That is why we respected him.'' Mr. Wade believed Dr. Stubbs had one of the best wits in the House, like a "whiplash'' at times. He said he was also a prankster, adding: "We always viewed him as a bright intelligent person, who we felt had the best interests of Bermuda at heart although he was in the wrong political party.'' The Opposition Leader believes 1994 will go down as an important year for Bermuda because of the gay rights legislation. He said: "With the amendment, Dr. Stubbs did cause the members of this House think. We can thank him for bringing the House up to a standard of this thought-provoking debate.'' A former Saltus school mate of Dr. Stubbs, Education Minister the Hon.

Clarence Terceira (UBP) also worked in the medical profession with him, particularly in the area of traumatic head injuries.

Dr. Terceira said: "We supported the mandatory use of crash helmets and saw an immediate reduction in head injuries.

"He had a brilliant mind and a grasp of complex technology. In telecommunications he was a giant of global proportions.'' He went on to mention Dr. Stubbs' relationship with Edward Kennedy and his work in Afghanistan.

Dr. Terceira mentioned how his colleague's witty comments had often embarrassed him when he had repeated them. But he said: "It was enjoyable working in the operating room with him.'' He finished by saying that Dr. Stubbs had often seemed to be trying to do too much but, he said: "Often when we talk about great people in history, there is a tendency to embellish their record, but we cannot embellish the record of John Stubbs.'' Mr. Stanley Morton (PLP) was also a member of the 1968 Parliament and was approached by Dr. Stubbs to join the UBP.

Mr. Morton said Dr. Stubbs always had a strategy and could never be taken lightly by members of the Opposition.

Placing him in a similar light to John F. Kennedy, Mr. Morton quoted two of his speeches. He said: "Ask not what the country can give to you but what you can give to the country'' and "Some may see things as they are and ask the question, why? But I dream of things that never were and ask, why not?'' Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness thanked the Speaker the Hon. Ernest DeCouto for suspending orders of the day so that tribute could be paid to Dr.

Stubbs.

Mr. Edness described his friend as "selfless'' stating that he could have had a wonderful career in medicine but chose to spend some much of his time in the House of Assembly.

He said: "John Stubbs would talk about the abolition of racism. He was concerned that we should live together in harmony and tolerance.

"But he could have specialised by keeping his activities confined to one profession. He could have concerned himself with making money and accumulating wealth.

"But he became involved in other things which were a great sacrifice to himself and his family.

"At the end of the day he left his family and all of us a tremendous legacy.

In this world there is something more valuable than simply amassing great wealth, to love your fellow man as yourself.'' Mr. Edness carried on in the footsteps of other members reading quotes from Winston Churchill and rapper MC Hammer. He said Dr. Stubbs reminded him of the MC Hammer song "Can't Top This.'' Opposition House Leader Mr. Reginald Burrows (PLP) started by stating that he was also a member of that impressive class of 1968.

He said: "Dr. Stubbs played a big part in changing the course of Bermuda.

Although we did not always agree on issues we became good friends. He was a kind and caring person.'' In his medical role Dr. Stubbs often helped people who could not afford to pay their bills, according to Mr. Burrows.

He added: "I once asked him when he was going to send a bill and I gave him some money, which he put back into my pocket, without me knowing!'' Along with many other people, Mr. Burrows was one of a number of people invited to the Stubbs home for informal meetings of Parliamentarians.

He said: "Bermuda has lost one of its heroes. I only hope that those he has left will follow this.'' Having grown up with him in Flatts, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. Jim Woolridge was one of the people who knew Dr. Stubbs very well. He said it was appropriate that it was because of their friendship that he became involved in politics.

Mr. Woolridge said: "He was one of the finest orators in this House. When he spoke he had a tremendous command of the English language. He was able to speak with a tremendous amount of zest and conviction. This House will be poorer for his death.'' Again there were more quotes from Dr. Stubbs' history: "Before you start shooting from the hip take the gun out of the holster or you will shoot yourself in the foot.'' and "When you are digging a hole, before you get too deep, stop.'' Mr. Woolridge said: "He was a very serious person and a very deep thinker but he enjoyed some levity.

"I do not think the memory of John Stubbs will be forgotten because he has made his mark.'' Shadow Minister of Delegated and Legislative Affairs Mrs. Lois Browne Evans (PLP) said: "Dr. Stubbs did this Country a great service when, after his bout of sickness, he embarked on a job that had been left undone since 1971. He brought legislation to a group of people much maligned and misunderstood.'' Mrs. Browne Evans said that many people would not get involved in the gay issue because they feared for their careers or their souls.

She said: "He fought his illness and came back to climb the steps and pilot the legislation through.

"God still loves him and others who supported this bill. One swallow does not make a summer and God judges you on your whole life.'' She praised Dr. Stubbs for his work in universal adult suffrage, especially his work with Dr. Eva Hodgson in the National Association for Reconciliation.

Both his first and second wives were also praised for their work.

Mrs. Browne Evans said: "It seems to me that the UBP and this Country has lost a real, honest-to-God, good politician. Apart from one or two times that the barbs in this House were too sharp, he had a good relationship with the senior PLP.'' Minister of Works and Engineering the Hon. Leonard Gibbons admitted it was a sad day for everyone but, he said: "It is a day to rejoice in having known that intellectual giant John Stubbs.

"Unlike a politician who worries about the next election, he was a statesman worrying about the next generation.'' Mr. Gibbons said the changes to the gay bill will always be known as the Stubbs' amendment.

Government Whip Mr. John Barritt started with a quote from William Wordsworth.

He went on to say he first met Dr. Stubbs when he was a reporter reporting on the House of Assembly, and he was always treated as his equal.

Mr. Barritt said: "With his wit he would bring to this chamber, his home and the community, relief and even sanity.'' Dr. David Dyer (UBP) said Dr. Stubbs was a man who insisted on getting things done without delay.

Dr. Stubbs taught Dr. Dyer and Opposition MP Mr. Walter Lister how to board-sail during their spare time.

But more importantly Dr. Dyer said: "He ceaselessly and tirelessly made sure that he made every effort to break down the barriers in this community.

"When the day comes John Stubbs had the dream and desire that will in the fullness of time make the dream come true. There is no greater tribute than to be remembered as a statesman.'' He then quoted Shakespeare from the Merchant of Venice.

Shadow Minister of Youth and Sport Dr. Ewart Brown (PLP) met Dr. Stubbs early because his aunt Gloria McPhee was involved in Parliament.

He then met Dr. Stubbs while at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he spoke out "fearlessly'' on Dr. Brown's behalf.

Quoting a former teacher from Howard University, Dr. Brown said: "Equanimity under duress. Can you keep your cool under stress?'' Adding: "John Stubbs was a giant of a man in medicine and giant of a many in this chamber. I believe he was the epitome of equanimity under duress.'' If Dr. Stubbs had been too ill to pilot his amendment through the House of Assembly Mrs. Grace Bell (UBP) revealed she would have taken over the job.

Mrs. Bell said: "To think that on the 13th of May he sat for hours on end during the debate and piloted it through. He had my greatest admiration for that because he was certainly in pain.'' He had told her that he found it sad that in a country of mixed races that he could still attend functions where there were no black or no white people.

She said: `He was the humanitarian, the husband, the father and the statesman.

And in respect to his memory we should make an effort to become an integrated country.'' Continued in Monday's newspaper.