With a heartfelt minute of silence, the Senate Chamber paid tribute to former Christian Democrat senator, former deputy and doctor Mariano Ruiz-Esquide, who died just last Saturday at the age of 93.
It was the president of the Senate, Juan Antonio Coloma, who opened the Chamber session and had the first words to remember Mariano Ruiz-Esquide, doctor, politician and senator for three consecutive terms for the Bío Bío Region, and at that time the Province of Ñuble.
“He was born in 1930, married to Inés Figueroa Velásquez, father of three children and above all a person who, from this Senate, always transmitted a harmony between defending ideas with passion and strength, but also understanding the collaborative work and understanding that a Senate must always keep it in mind. That is why we want to begin this session with this minute of profound tribute to Mariano Ruiz-Esquide,” said the head of the Upper House.
Previously, Senator Coloma pointed out that the deceased legislator “represented a very important part of democracy, which is the ability to serve and have a particular vocation for the poorest and to focus all his forces on improving the health conditions of our country. He witnessed part of the very important history of the 20th century, he had very relevant roles from his vision, but always with a logic of respect and understanding that democracy works in the logic of trying to agree on things together.
Then, Senator Yasna Provoste – on behalf of the Christian Democrat committee – appreciated the decision of the Senate Board to pay this minute of silence in honor of the deceased parliamentarian.
“For Christian Democracy and also for democracy in our country, his departure last Saturday has been sad news. Don Mariano, our comrade, dedicated more than seven decades to public service and also a life consistent with Christian principles and his democratic vocation,” said the senator.
He added: “our caucus feels that this minute of silence is a way of thanking the life lived and Don Mariano’s dedication to politics and democracy. He signed ‘the letter of thirteen’, confronting the dictatorship from its beginnings, neither before nor after did he cease to be an example for us. For those of us who knew him, it was a privilege and an honor to work alongside him and for this Senate in particular it is a source of pride to have had him circulating through these corridors and contributing from the different commissions, health and education among others. From the DC bench, his bench until the end of his days, we want to express our deepest tribute and our condolences to his family and our party.”
Senator Gustavo Sanhueza joined in the words of recognition and so did Senator Francisco Chahuán, who shared with him on the Health Commission.
“Mariano Ruiz-Esquide was an example of coherence. We have requested a tribute and that the Health Commission room be named after him. He was a permanent defender of human rights, he signed the letter of the thirteen, for years he has been an example and he was also a tremendous companion. After finishing his term, he went to the commission for two years to give its advice. “He was coherent and consistent throughout his life,” he stated.
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