12 February 2008

Tribute to Sir Ed Hillary

In the House today, Leader of the Progressive Party Jim Anderton paid the following tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary:

“Sir Ed Hillary was a national hero, and he is rightly claimed as an inspiration by all New Zealanders.

“I find inspiration in the commitment he made to a fairer, more caring New Zealand. I find inspiration in both his public and political commitment.

“He had a fierce and proud commitment to fairness and justice. He might have been the first to climb Everest but his life was more about working co-operatively than it was ever about competition.

“Sir Ed Hillary showed us the value of decency and unity in our common purpose. He showed us the value of working tirelessly and selflessly for all our brothers and sisters on planet earth.

“His values were the highest mountain he ever stood on. He showed us the value of taking on any challenge, meeting it with grit and determination, and of pulling together to make the most of our talents.

“Sir Ed epitomised the tolerant society. He was the embodiment of a strong and caring New Zealand. He was an inspiration for the kind of New Zealand that we should aspire to create.”

ENDS

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